21/02/2012 Look North (Yorkshire)

Hello and welcome to Tuesday's Look North. Tonight, Arthur Scargill's

�13,000 court payout. The former miners' leader wins damages against

the union he led for 20 years. This was about a principle,

fundamental, and that the heart of trade unionism.

We'll talk to Arthur Scargill's biographer.

Also on the programme: Why York could have as much out of town

shopping as Meadowhall. Would it put many of York's city centre

traders out of business? After a career-threatening injury,

Monique Gladding turned on the style in the Olympic pool.

A few rain showers produced this magnificent rain -- rain bout

earlier today. -- Rainbow. Join me for your detailed forecast.

First tonight, "a sad day" for the National Union of Mineworkers in

Yorkshire - the words of its former leader Arthur Scargill. He was

speaking after being awarded �13,000 in damages, following a

legal battle with the union he led, over a range of expenses he claimed

he was owed. He sued a trust fund of the Union.

He is no stranger to legal controversy. Even 10 years after

stepping down as President of the miners' union, Arthur Scargill

still has a public following. Today's results at Sheffield County

Court left him in defiant mood. that I have had to bring an action

against the National Union of Mineworkers Yorkshire area trustees,

but all I was doing was trying to ensure -- enforce a contract of

employment, fairly signed in 2002. Mr Scargill led the National Union

of Mineworkers for 20 years, but this case centred on what happened

after he retired in 2002. He took on a job as a consultant to the

Yorkshire and Lancashire branches of the Union. The court heard he

was being paid the costs of two landline homes -- phones to his

home, the cost of a mobile phone and a car allows every two years.

It was the Union's decision to stop these payments that triggered the

court case. The judge accepted many of the arguments from Mr Scargill

and awarded him �12,000 for the car allowance with another �1,000

because they had been denied union membership for almost a year. But

he rejected Mr Scargill's claimed that his land line and mobile phone

bills should be paid as well. The National Union is only a fraction

of its former size. At the start of the miners' strike in 1984, there

were 187,000 union members. These days, there are around 5,000. The

union says it is now these members who will be paying the costs of

today's hearing. The phone bills that he has been paying for the

last eight years, he was not entitled to this. Morally, I don't

know whether he will now be looking to pay back the money that he has

had for the last eight years. this is not the end of the row. A

second court hearing is a scheduled for later this year over a London

flat which the union pays for, but which Mr Scargill claims is his to

use for the rest of his life. Joining us now is Daily Mirror

journalist and Arthur Scargill biographer, Paul Routledge.

Has he won? It is a pity it is a victory over his union rather than

his employer. It is a victory, I suppose, and it means he can laugh

all the way to the bank, except perhaps just as rare as the nearest

garage. I wonder what a minor coming out of a colliery will make

all of this when he watches his. That is the big picture. The

miners' union has fewer than 1,500 measures -- members. It has no

money coming in. Does it really need this kind of sordid legal

action that is milking the whole union of its funds? It has cost so

far, I suspect, about �30,000 including costs, and it may cost

twice that much and there are two more court cases to come. He said

this was a point of principle. always is with Arthur Scargill. He

sees the principle as always being on his side. The union thought they

had some justice, too, otherwise they would not have defended the

action in the way that they did. spoke to a few days ago and your

advice that both parties should move away from this. I haven't and

they are not going to, are they? they are a lot deeper and deeper

into this clash which could go on for the rest of this year. What

miner now will come out and say they want to join the union because

of all of this? They won't. Because they have no power? Why do you want

to join a union that is locked in a legal struggle with its former

President at, and is not negotiating pay or doing things

that it should be doing? You can't have your eye on the main war and

keep going back and forth to court does to fight the former President.

And this will go back to court? They may or may not appeal on this

one, but there is another case to come, and then there is the case

later in the year about the �1 million flat in the Barbican in

London. Thank you for that. Next tonight, a jury has been told

that a two-year-old boy died after swallowing a liquid allegedly used

to help grow cannabis at his mother's home in Huddersfield.

Lauren Booth has gone on trial denying the wilful ill-treating or

neglect of her son Aaron. It is alleged he had not been fed or

given a drink since the day before. Our crime correspondent John Cundy

reports. Lauren Booth, according to the

prosecution, had been asleep in bed in the middle of the day when her

two-year-old son, without food or drink that day, in November 2010,

found the container of a highly corrosive liquid which killed him.

The prosecution allege that the liquid has been used to help grow

cannabis plants at Lauren Booth's home in the Almondbury district of

Huddersfield. The container had been left out on a landing when

Aaron found it. His mother was only awoken when she heard a bang coming

from the room next door. Aaron was found on the floor, foaming at the

mouth, struggling to breathe, and in considerable pain. The court

heard that the equivalent of just two teaspoonfuls of the liquid

would have been a fatal dose. The prosecution say that the fact that

Lauren Booth was still in bed after midday at her home here, that Aaron

had not had anything to eat or drink since the previous day, and

that the poison was left within the boy's reach, amounted to wilful

neglect of the child. Lauren Booth denies this. Aaron underwent two

major operations at the Leeds General Infirmary, including the

removal of his stomach. At first, his condition was stable, but he

died a week later. The prosecution said there had been signs that

cannabis growing had been going on for months at the house in Norris

Close, and that Lauren Booth had at least been aware of what was

happening, if not having actively participated. She claimed her

partner was responsible. The prosecution claimed that Miss Booth

had told Aaron's father that she and her partner at the time had

been trying to make some money by growing skunk in the house. Lauren

Booth denies wilfully neglecting her son Aaron, who died just before

his third birthday. The trial at Bradford Crown Court

is continuing this week. Later on Look North: Meeting the

challenges - a fresh start for the charity that helps blind ex-

servicemen learn to overcome their disability.

Out of town or city centre - it argument being heard in every high

street in our region. Is particularly relevant in York where

traders fear the expansion of the Monk's Cross shopping centre. They

say that if plans are approved, the city will have as much out of town

shopping there as in Meadowhall, and it will kill the city centre.

Supporters say it will deliver growth, jobs, and a new sports

stadium. In a moment, we will hear from the council leader, but first,

here's Danny Carpenter. York as a city is on the horns of a

dilemma. Developers promising growth and jobs want to build out

of town. They also promise a community stadium, which is

supported by the council. Existing traders say the new development

threatens growth and jobs in town. Phil Davies is a retail analyst. He

helped launch a Meadowhall. Now he helps councils fix their town

centres. We took him for a walk into the city. When there is a

recession on, when town centres are struggling to win back businesses,

hair salons like this and Lady salons are the ones that tend to

pop up quite quickly because they are low cost. You do see a lot of

hairdressers in a town centre that is struggling. Hairdressers, estate

agents, pawnbrokers, are all, he says, signs of decline. And so are

charity shops. It says the city is struggling already. Retailers are

nervous, they are moving out and charity shops are moving in.

combination of the city's existing out-of-town shopping, the recession,

and fear over the new proposals is, he says, already having an impact.

He is adamant that more shops out of town mean less money in town.

Look at what is happening in South Yorkshire, for example, where

Rotherham was set into decline 20 years ago by the arrival of

Meadowhall. It will be a gradual decline. He says the offer of a

much cherished committee sports stadium is just a distraction in an

important debate. What we need to be talking about is whether the

retail sustainability of York, or indeed Monk's Cross, is appropriate,

and the fact that we introduce into it the offer of a stadium alongside

it is a complete red herring. assessment? A city in decline and

on the edge - a view completely at odds with the council and

developers. That is one quite bleak view, which

I put to the leader of City of York council, James Alexander. I would

dispute that. Already we have a city centre that is very vibrant.

We have got the 6th lowest job vacancy rate in the UK, and we

already have an Allerford -- element of out-of-town retail. The

city centre is still doing relatively well. He says if you

look at none retail shops, there are very few shops around when you

go down the main street. I think he needs to be take into account the

entire offer of York. Also, he is talking down York - it is his job

to support in a Town redevelopment. But he needs to look at the

entirety of York and what is on offer. But the out of town

experience will affect the inner- city experience, it is bound to -

people just don't have the money. They cannot spend money at Monk's

Cross, too, and then spend money in the city centre. This is also about

attracting more people into yorking general, not just the existing

people shopping here. That development also includes a �10

million revamp of one Marks and Spencer's store. The council is

also developing the public realm and doing up the market to further

help the city centre. One of the main arguments that shop owners in

the city centre have is that it is not a level playing field. Parking

is high, rates are high, and so on. What can you do to at least say to

them you are thinking about this and will do something about it?

There are a few things. There is a level playing field because there

is a significant football of people wanting to visit York and its

assets. The best shopping experience in York is in the city

centre. If there was no stadium, none of this would happen, would

it? There are two elements to it. Two applications have been put

forward, one which is just retail, and the other is retail expansion

as part of this development. Both are outside of our normal planning

guidelines. I would be surprised if it went forward otherwise. James

Alexander, the leader of York council.

The inquest into the death of a 13- year-old schoolgirl has been opened

and adjourned. Katie died last Wednesday after being stabbed while

walking through a park in the town. The second postmortem will take

place on Thursday. A 26-year-old has been charged with her murder.

She is due before Sheffield Crown Court on Thursday.

The mother of a missing York teenager has made a fresh appeal

for help in finding him. 19-year- old Jordan Sullivan was last seen

on Tuesday, close to the River Ouse at Naburn. Searches were conducted

by the emergency services and volunteers, but have since been

called off. Jordan's mother and sister made their appeal at the

spot where he disappeared. I am desperately begging you,

gorgeous boy, just get in touch. Just let me know you are safe. If

there is an issue, you know, as always, everything we talk about -

anything, anything and everything The Highways Agency are installing

snow gates on the Woodhead Pass. The route between Sheffield and

Manchester is used by thousands of drivers every day but is often

affected by severe weather. Costing �250,000, the snow gate project

will also see new signs installed to warn motorists when the route is

closed. It will mean the police no longer have to erect temporary road

blocks. Some people don't appreciate how also via the weather

can be. It also takes manpower to but the gates in place.

Halifax-born singer Ed Sheeran's up for four awards at the Brits

tonight, - that's more than any The 21-year-old has sold more than

one million copies of his debut album. He's in the running for Best

Male, Best Breakthrough, Best Single and Best Album. Sheffield's

Arctic Monkeys are nominated for Best Group.

The St Dunstans centre in Sheffield has been supporting armed forces

veterans who have lost their sight for 97n years. Today it got a new

name. The charity is now called Blind Veterans UK. They run three

support centres across the country. Our reporter, Dan Johnson, has been

to meet some of the veterans in Sheffield. They have been helping

blind service personnel for nearly a century, but today, one of the

army's most recent recruits are there would be new name. We are

conscious that the original name does not suit this audience. Graham

is 75 and partially-sighted. Simple jobs like making a couple tea is

difficult, and dangerous. After completing national service in the

1950s, he lost the sight in his left eye. Last year, he started to

lose sight in his right eye as well. They can do wonders for you. And

believe me, that is an understatement. We can do wonderful

things. All these little tips. They are very helpful. Some have lost

their sight in combat, others had their service cuts short. Peter has

been using his side over the last 30 years, at learning to use this

computer has allowed him to do crosswords again. I have always

been a crossword person. But I could not see them. But with this

machine, I could fill in a couple of clues. It is a start. Lots of

activities are on offer. When it goes into that target, and you hear

that satisfying thud, you know it is near the centre, that is

brilliant. Our emphasis has been on promoting independence. Everybody,

whatever their age, has an opportunity to be more independent.

And even with a new name, they are promising that mission will never

change. Before seven o'clock:

She overcame a career-threatening injury, but just look at her now -

Sheffield diver Monique Gladding turns on the style at the Olympic

Simon Grayson says Huddersfield Town is a great opportunity for him.

The former Leeds United manager took over, and was impressed by the

ambition and vision of the chairman. He has been disappointed about some

of the things said about him, though. He has been speaking to

Tanya. I was looking to have a break. But everything was there - I

was very impressed with what the chairman had to save. Pressure will

be on from the off. Can you still might be top two? When you are

seven points behind, Sheffield United have got to be the

favourites. But we have got 16 games to go. We have got a talented

group of players. We have got to try and make sure we give it our

best shot. You look at what they have achieved this season, and lead

macro debate fantastic job, they are capable of doing anything. --

Leeds did a fantastic job. They have been very professional. I

spoke to them yesterday, they worked extremely hard this morning,

and there tried to take God everything we say to them. But they

deserve -- but it is not as if it is a job you can just come in.

you feel better about what happened at Leeds united? First and foremost,

I let them in a better position when I joined them. I still left

them the other week in a good position with three points away

from the play-offs. Disappointed how it happened. A bit disappointed

with some accusations as well. But I have left a bigger lot of dignity.

I had done what I have done. Disappointed with one or two people,

but that is football, I suppose. Maybe you'll be facing them next

year? That would be nice. Monique Gladding has continued to impress

in London at the World Cup Tester them for the Olympics. The 30-year-

old has qualified for the 10 metre event, just a year after hitting a

head on a concrete diving board. It is day two of the diving World

Cup. This is the London Olympic aquatics centre. So far, the

competition has all been at about Shephard's Monique Gladding. --

Sheffield's. Monique Gladding has spent the last year on the comeback

trail after suffering a life- threatening head injury. Her

performance, to some, has been a surprise - his sixth place finish.

A place been the Olympic 10 metre event. And today, she has continued

that success, winning a place in tonight's World Cup final,

finishing 10th. I am exhausted. I managed to get through. I am

delighted to be in the final. When you come here, you are so focused

on what you have to do. Algol was toe come in get this far. -- Algol

was to come in. What expectation does she have for tonight? I have

nothing to lose tonight. A war going there and try and take as

much from it as I can. Hopefully come I will use the experience to

move forward. A decision will be made in June as to whether Monique

Gladding will represent Team GB. But her Olympic ambition and

ability have been clear for all to see this week. We will be pulling

her all the way to the Olympics. What was a favourite childhood toy?

No doubt about it, so buteo. Yours? Cabbage Patch dolls, definitely.

And the Arab cut kitchen. Third two Yorkshiremen, their chart and

passion has become something of a adult obsession. Tony and Michael

have spent the last two Madrid is building a model of the Dean Clough

Mills in Halifax. To say it is ambitious is an understatement.

Cathy has been to Dean Clough. Lego lagers -- lovers, feast your eyes

on this. This depicts three Op 15 different buildings. We are in one

of the buildings at the moment. Here is what a complex looks like

on the outside. If you have been to Halifax, you will know these

buildings - it was once home to the world's biggest carpet factory. You

can see how faithful the Lego version is to the real one. It does

mean the lunatics responsible! Congratulations. Two-and-half years

work so far. How long before it is finished? We reckon another two-

and- a-half years. Can you keep going along? I enjoy Lego, and

always have. So yes, we will keep going! Y Dean Clough? Or it is a

wonderful place. It has got the history and architecture. I am

struck by the level of detail. Some of the more detailed bids take

more time. If you look at the windows, you can do your windows

very quickly, bears a more detailed aspect you can spend weeks tried to

get it right. Best of luck. You had better crack,,

hadn't you? Other plastic building bricks are available! That was

Let me show you two pictures that come in. That is the first one. One

of the bloodiest battles of all time to place in the 15th century,

but a lovely shot. And the second one - the snowdrops are out. A

beautiful shot. There is a new blog up there as well. A discussion

about the drought affecting eastern areas. Willesborough to Yorkshire?

More rain on the way. The reservoirs are full to brimming.

Very windy as well. Strong to gale force south-westerly winds. If you

follow the isobars, you can see where they are coming from. On

Thursday, one or two spots across eastern areas could reach the dizzy

heights of 16 Celsius! Right now, there are born out of cloud. Thick

enough to produce a drizzle. That it drizzle will continue over the

next few hours, across the Pennines, further east, a good deal of dry

weather is expected. Know where was seek frost. Close of five or six

Celsius. The sun will rise at about 711 am. A dry start across southern

and eastern areas, but rain from the word go in the Yorkshire Dales.

And on and off throughout the cause of the afternoon. It will turn out

to be fairly wet and windy at times. Temperatures - above average for

the latter stages of February. 13 is possible. More generally,

temperatures in the range of 10-top Celsius. Watch out for those strong

gusts, especially if you are driving. On Thursday, although the

Pennines could be cloudy, the risk of drizzle. Further east, sunny