26/03/2012 Look North (East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire)

Good evening and welcome to BBC Look North. The headlines tonight:

Why some children starting secondary school in Hull are six

years behind with their reading. have had children about 25 each

year that have joined us, with reading ages of less than five.

The tanker driver dispute which started in North Lincolnshire

results in a national strike. Hitting out at police commissioners

- Humberside's chief constable is the latest senior figure to

criticise the changes. This is a system that is untried and untested

in this country. It is fundamentally a different style of

policing. Taking to the streets for charity -

thousands of people run the Sport Summer in March and there is more

to come. Your weekend weather BBC Look North can reveal that some

children are starting secondary school in Hull with a reading age

of five. Levels of reading and writing in the city are still well

behind the national average. The city council has given �10,000 to

every Hull secondary school to help raise standards. Our correspondent

is balls from the serious academy. The average reading age of children

entering school here is nine years five months. But a significant

number is below that, which means that the struggle with the rest of

the curriculum. Why are we going ever these? Some people cannot read.

We have had children, approximately about 25 each year, that have

drinkers with a reading age of about five. So the school set up a

special nurture group. The group is taught by a teacher specialising in

primary school methods. There have already been drastic improvements.

Where have put support in two groups have to enable a large

number of children to make progress. Every pupil here, whatever their

age or level, now takes part in the accelerated breeding programme,

which regularly monitors their progress. Quite a few of these

people's -- pupils here today had lower levels of reading but with

the accelerated reading, things have improved. Literacy is the

cornerstone of a good education and around one in five children are

simply not making the grade by the age of 11. Even those who do are

not guaranteed to pass their GCSEs when they are 16.

This group of boys are all currently sitting on a D grade for

their GCSE English but they all recognise how important it is to up

their game. You are speaking and writing and you will never get a

job. If you get the qualification it opens a lot of doors. I want a

future with the job I have wanted since I was little. So in a city

with some of the lowest literacy levels in the country, there is

growing confidence that real progress is now and being mate.

Councillor Helene M Mallon is responsible for education at Hull

City Council. -- Councillor Helene O'Mullane. Why have so many

children, literally possibly hundreds, slipped through the net?

You have to remember that school, children come in at varying levels

of education. We have always had a problem of children coming into

school with very poor pre- literacy skills. They perhaps have not had

the nurturing at home. Perhaps English is a second language. There

are lots of emotional reasons why children do some can start at a

disadvantage. The average reading age for an 11-year-old in many Hull

schools is around nine. Can parents be confident that Hull's primary

schools are digging their job? think they can. The fact they are

coming in extra numbers to bring children into school. In secondary

schools, they are bringing back children. We have to ask parents

and guardians, over the last two years, we have put a lot of extra

work into giving children literacy time, giving them support as

analysts and at a children's centres. But you think primary

schools are doing their job and his is the parents letting the children

down? I think it is both. Some children come in and they have had

a lot of reading when they were young, talking, communicating,

playing with a loss. They come in their the to learn to read. Others

do not have that advantage and we have to work with them at much

slower levels to make sure the literacy is well implanted in them.

What can you and the primary schools do to make sure that in the

future the levels of reading and writing in this city are not be led

the national average as they are now? For the last three years we

have had a special scheme. Unfortunately, the Government

funding for this was pulled this year, but the head teachers

themselves have found money for that to continue for another year.

In Key Stage One last year there was an a % rise in the level of

Reading, which is now starting to work through to key stage 2. We

have teachers in the schools with extra expertise. It should improve

gradually over the years, as it is at the moment. Let's hope so. Thank

you. Let's throw this one open. How can

reading and writing be improved? How much responsibility should the

parents take? Are they doing their bit? Or will more spending in

schools are really make the difference? Our primary schools the

Start your text with the word Look North, all one word. All follow me

on Twitter right now. We will have some of your messages before we

finish at 7pm. In a moment, as fans protest

against the club's board, businesses claim they are being

heat for by Lincoln City's poor form.

Political pressure is mounting on Chancellor George Osborne to

reverse the VAT rise faced on static caravans in the Budget. It

is one of the area's largest manufacturing industries. Today

Labour politicians visited Willerby Caravans in East Hull and heard how

closing a tax loophole would hit sales and jobs.

The these workers at Willerby holiday homes have already agreed

to go down to a four-day week from five days, in order to prevent

redundancies. 90% of static caravans sold in the UK are made in

East Yorkshire. Now there are concerns that the caravan industry

will face further pressure following the Government's plan to

add VAT to static caravans, which would make some on average �6,000

more expensive. We are finding it a little bit more contradictory with

the Government saying they are trying to get staycations, UK

holidays, and here we are making the equipment for those holidays

and now we are being penalised. Workers fear this could lead to

further caravans being sold and consequently it job losses. This

prompted them to get in touch with their local MP, who today brought

the shadow minister for regional Price to halt. There has been no

consultation. I do not think people in the industry would be adverse to

consultation and discussion. But in this case there has been no

consultation or discussion and they are introducing it at the worst

time of year when we are about to enter the holiday season.

Government says finally adding VAT would bring sales of static

caravans into line with mobile ones. It is an issue that will be raised

in the House of Commons, with the Chancellor being asked to look

again. That is a story that we will

continue to follow here on Look North.

Some more stories tonight. A bad manager has been jailed for 21

months for stealing �100,000 from the accounts of five elderly

customers, one of whom was dead. -- a bank manager. Owen Danter from

Beverley stole the money when he was manager of Santander in

Driffield. The bank has been as the customers and taken �30,000 from

his pension fund. Lincolnshire County Council has

asked the Government for more than �6 million to repair drought-

damaged roads. More than 150 sites have been identified as priority

areas, mainly around Holbeach, Spalding, Boston and Bourne. The

council received �5 million following a similar -- similar bid

in 2004. Engineering company is investing in

Lincoln. Bifrangi says the deal will invest in new jobs and

investment. It involves begin one of the world's biggest metal

presses to the site to build a tractor axles.

The industrial unrest among petrol tanker drivers, which started on

the south bank of the Humber, has now become a national dispute.

Drivers who voted for strikes, prompting fears of fuel shortages.

The dispute is over terms and safety but employers say that many

of the drivers earn more than �45,000 a year. Our reporter is a

live near the Conoco Philips oil refinery right now.

How has this dispute escalated to the stage tonight? Just to explain,

it is separate to fuel distribution companies that take fuel from oil

refineries like these and distribute it across the UK. The

drivers are those vehicles side that it is supermarkets and garages

-- as they try to compete for the lowest price, it is affecting them.

The companies they work for asking them to work longer hours and meet

tighter deadlines and Murray say that health and safety is taking a

back seat as a result. -- they say. Drivers he went on strike for a

whole week over cuts in their pay at the beginning of the year and

that has led to a national ballot. The tankers stood idle. In January

of this year, drivers at the Coreco Phillips oil refinery -- Conoco

Philips oil refinery went on strike. They are offering us a reduction of

�4,000. The other reductions are around our pensions and our terms

and conditions. A those protesting said it was a wider problem within

the industry and one of their drivers is now in a national video

which has been released to highlight their case.

This is not about our pay. This is about having a safe environment for

the workforce. A whenever we fill up at the pub, it is oil truck

drivers working in what the world's most dangerous professions baccy

company -- the country on the road. But today, as oil companies push

for even higher profits, health and safety is being compromised. I have

been driving for 18 years. We go through extensive training. We are

constantly monitored by it are companies and health and safety

teams. We drivers across the UK now

agreeing to go on strike, there are fears it could lead to the

destruction we saw in the year 2000. That was over the cost of petrol

and diesel and electric pumps being empty and chaos on the roads.

these strikes likely to take place, when? I have spoken to the union

Unite and they say legally they have to give its seven days' notice.

So it will not happen soon but they say that what happens here is

likely to be the epicentre of any strike action. The Government had

said that they are ready and that troops are in place to deliver fuel

if necessary. The haulage company in Wincanton who delivers the oil

has said that the strike is politically motivated and it is

impractical and we cannot do it. Grass years.

That is another one you might want to comment on. There is a reminder

of our e-mail address and the tax Still ahead tonight...

As crowds dwindle at Lincoln City, businesses say they are being hit

in the pocket. And raising millions for charity -

people across our area take part in the Sport Relief Mile.

Tonight's photo is of Grimsby Dock Tower. Thanks to Richard Enderby

for that. Ahir please send us your The I got this letter about the

Sport Relief Day. This year said you were looking very fit and

wondered if you worked it out? Now, it looks as though some are has

arrived. As you can see the Airport a a at it was up to 19 degrees

Celsius. It has been very pleasant whenever you have been. Tomorrow

very similar tomorrow, up with not a cloud in the sky. This high

pressure covering virtually all of the British Isles. But that is

going to clear by the weekend, when temperatures will back to a more

normal. It is dry and clear overnight, but there could be the

odd bit of mist and fog. The low temperature overnight could jot

down to minus Zero degrees at Gainsborough. Any mist and a patchy

fog a rapidly dispersing and it will be spot the cloud time. It is

going to be clear blue skies with lots of sunshine, with the light

variable biddies. On the course, slightly cooler, with the likes of

Bridlington probably maybe only getting up to 15 degrees Celsius.

On Wednesday, the temperatures even higher, getting up to 21 degrees

Celsius, before dropping back as the week progresses. See you

tomorrow. It is an easy job for you just now, just saying it is dry and

The Chief Constable of Humberside Police has become the latest seeing

officer to attack the government's plan for police commissioners --

senior officer. Tim Hollis says the move is not tested in the UK and

will bring politics into police and. He is also concerned that the

future of the country's police forces will be dictated by the

personalities of the commissioners. The government says commissioners,

who can hire and fire chief constables, will make the police

more accountable. I will speak to Mr Hollis in detail after this

report from Phil Connell. He is one of the most experienced policemen

in Britain and the latest two raised concerns about the

controversy over police commissioners. Today, he said

commissioners where untried and untested and called for significant

change at a time when the police force does not need it because it

is doing well. If the person is there on an elected manifesto, it

is where problems could arrive. Of the five people to have expressed

interest in the job, most have done that background and politics. The

concern is that the candidates may be voted them on their political

views rather than their ability to cut crime. The most high-profile

candidate is John Prescott, the former MP and Deputy Prime Minister.

Elections will take place in November. The salary is around

�75,000, but they will have paid responsibilities. He will have set

budgets and priorities and be able to hire and fire chief Constable's.

But ministers say there will be no interference in operational matters.

Some people think it will leave the stronger and more transparent force.

For a I think it will make the police force a lot more accountable.

A they will have to account for the way the spend money and their

performance. Mr Hollis is standing down at at the end of this year,

but says it is a coincidence. Earlier, I spoke to Chief Constable

Tim Hollis. I asked him what his main concerns were about

commissioners? A I do not have a problem with the candidates. I

think they will be good people who will want to do their best for the

police force. 180 years of tradition down into the past - does

the current system not work quite well? Well, it is very hard to

judge these things until you look back on them.

What about the cost? At least �70,000 for the Commissioner and

then all the support staff they wall need? If that justified?

all a question of how it the money is used to focus on improving

policing in Humberside. N o u years of being the chief, how would you

have felt if politicians were telling you how to do your job?

will work in practice is very much down to the personal relationships.

How much is your decision to step down to do with police

commissioners? It would be unfair to say that was a major part. I

will have been it eight years in charge of police and Humberside by

that point. It is a good time to hand over the baton to someone else.

There are changes nationally and locally, so it is time for some

fresh blood and fresh ideas. Now, all an update on a story we brought

you on Friday. Ticketholders and caterers who had paid money to

attend a cancelled music festival in Lincoln have been promised they

will get their money ban. -- money back.

Future Entertainment cancelled plans for the festival at the

Lincolnshire Showground earlier this year, but tickets were still

on sale at the end of last week. Danny Brewster, who says he has

sold the company, has promised to refund the money.

A driver had a lucky escape today after his lorry overturned in

Goole.The accident happened this afternoon near to the river which

runs through the town. The driver was uninjured, but traffic was

disrupted after the load he was carrying fell out of his trailer.

Businesses in Lincoln say the decline of the City football team

is hitting them in the pocket. The Imps, who fell out of the Football

League last season, are now just two points above the Conference

drop zone. On Saturday, fans protested Ed of the match against

Newport over how the club is being run.

Seven years have passed since Lincoln City's glory days, when the

team reached the League Two play- offs twice in three seasons.

Now relegated to the Conference, the Imps sit six places from the

bottom of the Blue Square Premier. Fans chose Saturday's game against

Newport County to call for the chairman to resign -a protest which

was daubed disgraceful by the board. If we have got good going, there is

not going to be any club life. We need to sort it out now. In are the

years I have been coming to watch the team, I have never seen at this

bad. A 2-0 win over Newport was little

consolation to local businesses, who say they are suffering because

of Lincoln City's decline. We when they were doing well in the league,

they could get crowds around the 5,000 mark. But all this there,

with the cows going down, or profits drop.

And a return to League football still looks a long way off. They

have not adjusted well to non- League football and are struggling

with the finances. There are simply not good enough and there is a long

way to goal. The chairman condemned the process the protest, saying

that this was the time for everyone to stick together.

Scunthorpe United hit the bar twice, but had to settle for a draw

Portsmouth to get back in the play- off places, after losing 2-12

Leicester city. -- 2-1. Our passing was a bit sloppy and we simply did

not do enough to win the game. In rugby league, Hull FC are up to

third in the Super League after their fourth straight win. The

Black and Whites beat Castleford yesterday. Hull KR beat second

place Huddersfield at Craven Park. Hull KR stunned Huddersfield with a

dominant second-half performance to end their two-match losing run and

deny the visitors top spot in Super League. The scores were level at

half time 18-18, both sides scoring three tries in the perfect

conditions. After the break though it was a different story and Rovers

ran in four second-half tries from Josh Hodgson, Scott Taylor, Sam

Latus and Mickey Paea. At Castleford, Danny Tickle helped

inspire Hull to their fourth straight victory. Tickle was one of

six try scorers and kicked six goals for the Black and Whites. He

has now scored more than 2,000 points for the club, who are third

Too many tries to show in David's report, but you can see them all on

the Super League Show here on BBC One later this evening.

Thousands of people are recovering from taking part in Sport Relief

events across East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. More than 30 of the

Sport Relief Mile events took place yesterday and helped raise over �50

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 47 seconds

We have had a lot of fun and raised money as well. He is "the youngest

and I'll probably the oldest. people of the city always come

together for this. I am really proud of them. Well done to

everyone who took part in the events. We get a lot of people at

in the centre of the city yesterday. Now let us get a recap of the

national and regional headlines. The Prime Minister has admitted

that some of the party's biggest donors have been to private parties

at Number 10 Downing Street. Tomorrow's weather - mist and

patchy fog quickly clearing, then another dry, sunny and very warm

day expected, with a high of 20 Celsius. Now, back to this problem

about illiteracy. If we do not educate youngsters to basic levels,

there is a chance they will turn to crime. Another says, parents are