14/11/2013 Midlands Today

Hello and welcome to Midlands Today. The headlines tonight: The crisis in

Birmingham children's services ` branded a national disgrace, now it

could be taken over by the Government before Christmas.

On children's services are being given a last chance.

I'll be talking to the man with the job of trying to sort out the mess.

Also tonight: Think about the consequences ` a plea from the

mother of the rapper stabbed to death outside a Birmingham

nightclub. If you go out tonight and you are

carrying a knife, you could be breaking your family's hearts.

Cynical and systematic ` a former financial advisor who conned

pensioners out of thousands in a property scam.

We are glad that the outcome is as it is, and these people will be

prevented from carrying on. Special delivery ` Dudley Zoo's new

star, a rare Sumatran tiger. There are just 140 left in the wild. And,

just in time for the German Christmas market, our weather is

getting colder. And work forecast later.

Good evening. The job of keeping children safe in Birmingham, which

has been labelled a national disgrace, could be taken over by the

government before Christmas. The BBC has learned the decision hinges on a

review within weeks. So what's gone so wrong? As long ago as 2003,

serious questions were asked following the killing of Toni`Ann

Byfield, gunned down by drug dealers. In 2008, Khyra Ishaq

starved to death ` a preventable tragedy, according to an official

review. And then, in 2011, Keanu Williams, murdered by his mother and

"invisible" to the authorities. In a moment, I'll be talking to the man

in charge, but first, here's Cath Mackie.

These are some of the children in Birmingham who've died at the hands

of those who should have loved them, let down by those who should have

protected them. But would the government do a better job than

Birmingham City council of keeping children like Keanu Williams safe?

He was beaten to death by his mother. Ofsted's about to carry out

a review of the city's children's services and, unless there are

improvements, the Department for Education will take over.

I think that the children services are in the last chance saloon. We

look carefully at the report, and if it shows that there is no

alternative than to impose different organisation, we will have no

situation but to do so. Birmingham children's services seems

to be stuck in a vicious circle. They get bad publicity, then can't

attract enough social workers. That leads to more failures like Keanu

Williams, and that in turn leads to more bad publicity and so it goes

on. The question is whether they are doing enough now to break out of

that circle and prevent the need for government intervention.

The union Unison believes that the government should stay away.

We have Ofsted coming in, but who has confidence in them? There is a

new director in place and the social workers are working hard.

One former social worker believes that a takeover will happen.

We need to be prepared for that to happen. We need to work with central

government to make sure that the children that we try and protect our

put first. It is irrelevant to the children who is running the

situation, they just want to be protected.

We will talk to Peter Hay now. This is a blow to your department. You

have been told to fix things. Why hasn't it happened?

We need a clear grip on the safety of children through some basic

steps. Staffing, and their adequacy, and creating a coherent is about

what we are here to do. That is what will be judged. It is not news to us

that those options continue the option of a City Council. What

matters is the focus that we bring to the safety of children, and, in

particular, an option that carries the ability for staff to do their

job as best as possible. You say that you have not had time to put

this right, but ten years ago, you had a zero star rating. It is

difficult to see what has changed since then.

We were dealing with the social services section, it ceased to be

the social services sector in 2006 with one star. I have recently been

running adult services. The service has not prospered under the split

between adult and children's services. So, I have come back to it

with a track record of improving it. But nothing seems to have changed in

ten years. The Department for Education may have to take it over.

Absolutely, I do not like coming back to the situation because of

that. The gravity of the situation facing children is something I have

been clearer about. The steps to improvement are about that honesty

and transparency. That has been reflected by a City Council that is

prepared to admit that this will take additional investments as well

as improvement and continued focus. The first step to improvement is to

to look at some of the fundamental building blocks, can we retain

staff? But you have not got time to put

anything in place. You will soon be having another review. Is it

inevitable that the Department for Education will take over?

The City Council is humble enough and focused enough to take the

comments on board. I don't know what will happen. It is up to the

Secretary of State to make this difficult decision. The judgement

should be about what help staff to work with children. What effective

services need are enough staff. They need to be able to work with

partners. This is a massive problem. Would

there be an element of relief if the government took over? It would be

someone else's problem. It is not an easy decision. People

should not think that there is an easy option. There is no alternative

in existence at the moment. It is not about relief, it is about what

is best for the children of Birmingham. What would be better?

It needs a really serious decision. I do not envy the Secretary of

State. Beyond the speculation, people need to realise that nothing

like this has happened before and what matters is what is going to

work. The City Council believes it can be part of that. It knows it has

lost the right to make the decision, but that is what the review is

about. Have we got enough grip and have we got a say in the future?

Coming up later in the programme: The public don't know who they are

and aren't convinced Police and Crime Commissioners are a good idea.

Find out how they think they're doing.

The mother of a stabbing victim has spoken publicly for the first time

since her son's death about the need to educate children on the dangers

of knives. Rapper Joshua Ribera, known as Depzman, was attacked at a

fundraising event for a friend, who'd been stabbed and killed the

year before. Our special correspondent Peter Wilson has this

exclusive report. # I just want to go to the front of

the queue. #. Joshua Ribera's star was rising. In

September, he had an album at number one in the download charts. The MC

rapper was tipped for the big time, but a knife to his heart cut his

life short at 18. This is the first time that his mother has spoken

publicly about the case and her wish to do something about knife crime.

It needs to be a long`term investment in young people and in

people who have not got enough self`respect and haven't had the

love and care that they have deserved. That is the problem. I

could sit here and say don't carry a knife. Who am I to tell anyone? If

they have not been shown respect and Shannon Love, they Joshua Ribera had

been at this nightclub, attending a fundraiser for his friend Kyle

Sheehan. Will not listen to me. Ironically,

he had been fatally stabbed a year before. Today, detectives have

released nine images caught on CCTV of witnesses that they wish to talk

to. If it was you who had been killed

and your mother in my position, you would want your friends to make this

situation as easy for your mother as you possibly could. If anybody knows

anyone in these images, you need to come forward, as I hope people would

do for you. Joshua was known as Depzman on the

music scene .His first royalty cheque was paid the day before he

died. He bought his mother a watch. His fans have been distraught and

scores of young people visit Alison's home every day.

They listen to the lyrics of his songs to guide them through life,

and his lyrics, you can look over the last five years and see the

growth and the change in his lyrics to positive, strong messages to

young people. Fans, as you call them, some of them don't have the

guidance and they turned to him for the guidance.

Detectives have charged an 18`year`old man with the murder, but

they are keen to stress that this is an ongoing investigation and they

are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

The Stratford`upon`Avon MP Nadhim Zahawi is to pay back almost ?5,000

after claiming too much on energy bills. Mr Zahawi is returning all

the money, because his supplier couldn't separate electricity used

at his house from that used in stables, which he shouldn't have

claimed for. The Conservative MP has apologised unreservedly for his

mistake. A former financial adviser and

financier has been jailed for two years for conning his clients, many

of them pensioners. Gary Hexley earned thousands in commissions,

even though he'd been declared bankrupt and wasn't authorised to

offer financial advice. Giles Latcham reports.

A final taste of freedom for Gary Hexley, jailed today by a judge who

called his deceit cynical and systematic. But he has a history of

double dealing. He said I am setting up a new

company. A retired teacher from Sutton

Coldfield considered Hexley a friend and invested tens of thousands with

him. But when they needed money urgently, there was none.

We had a daughter`in`law who was dying of cancer, and we thought,

maybe, if we got some money out, we could send her to Switzerland. But

we could not. She died. Gary said it would take two or three months to

get the money together. Hexley ran a property investment

company, Greenfield, but that went into administration with losses of

more than ?2 million. Another of his firms, Intellectual Property

Limited, collapsed with losses of more than ?1.3 million.

Hexley was declared bankrupt, but in spite of this continued trading as a

financial advisor, earning ?74,000 in commissions.

Jailing him for two years, the judge said that his was a deliberate

enterprise to exploit the trust placed in him by his clients, many

of whom were elderly and vulnerable. I think he heard lots of pensioners

who were not able to appreciate investments. He took advantage of

our ignorance. Some of his clients battled

successfully for compensation. Others are left only with regrets.

Our top story: The crisis in Birmingham children's services,

branded a national disgrace, it could be taken over by Christmas.

Also in tonight's programme, how a team effort to get more women

involved in sport is paying off in Shropshire.

And from Germany to the Black Country ` one of the rarest tigers

on Earth with an important job to do at Dudley Zoo It's a year since 41

Police and Crime Commissioners were elected across England and Wales.

The controversial, high`profile positions were created to replace

police authorities and ensure forces are run effectively. But a new poll

commissioned by the BBC found many people are still to be convinced

about whether they're needed. Here's Ben Godfrey.

The Police and Crime Commissioner is supposed to put ordinary people at

the heart of policing. But with less than 15% turnout at the election

last November, it was clear that would be difficult.

Nowhere did the message gets across. I don't think people

understood what the change was about.

One year on, and there's confusion. A survey for the BBC found that 36%

of people in the Midlands were not aware their region has a PCC. 44%

thought they'd had a positive impact on policing generally. While more

than half said they had no impact on levels of crime.

It has not been a success everywhere, but it has been a

success in most places. A year ago I came here to Wem in

Shropshire to ask people what they expected from a Commissioner. They

said visible policing and less crime, particularly anti`social

behaviour. So how are they doing? I don't know what they do. I don't

understand what their purpose is. They are in charge of the police

forces, and there is not enough. I do think there should be more

police and there are a few more, actually.

One four year term is enough for Bill Longmore. The West Mercia

Commissioner has survived two "votes of No confidence" but says he's an

effective player. People will see how much work we

have done. Really, the result of the first 12 months will begin to show.

Would you stand for another term? I think I deserve some rest in my

life. Bob Jones is, reluctantly, the West

Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner. That's because he

wants to scrap his job. He's trying to recruit 450 police officers.

You say that you don't believe in the role, so why don't you step

down? I don't think it is the best way,

but it is the only way, and I think it is important that someone who can

avoid the risks is in the job. I think I can do a better job than the

people who think the job is unsinkable.

Ron Ball didn't expect controversy but he found it. Warwickshire's

Commissioner told me he's been trying to build an alliance with the

West Mercia force. But the former airline pilot has suffered political

turbulence. He's on a collision course with the

Home Secretary, who appeared to suggest he'd been too quick to

defend local forces police caught up in the row over what was or wasn't

said to police in Downing Street by Sutton Coldfield MP, Andrew

Mitchell. I don't think that is acceptable. I have written to the

Home Secretary saying, under the circumstances, I think I am owed an

apology. Format you Alice, partnerships are

helping to rehabilitate people. The police have stopped this man

from a life of burglary. The commission wants to put more cash

into changing the lifestyle of offenders, while working with

voluntary groups. You said that you would like to

invest more than ?1 million, but your budget is only ?1 million.

Where does the money come from? We find the money.

We have already made savings whilst we have been involved in policing. I

believe that you have to be bold. You have to spend money in the right

place. You have to stop spending money where it does not make

difference. One year on, the PCCs still have a

message to sell. And yes, they're even heading to the supermarket to

win support, after a year in which politics and policing have collided

spectacularly. Tomorrow, it's Children in Need and

all week we're featuring projects which have benefited from your

generosity. A charity in Warwickshire helps child victims of

sexual abuse. Tina is a trained counsellor. The words of two of the

children she's worked with are spoken by actors. You may find some

of this report upsetting. I am supported by Children in Need

to help children who have experienced sexual abuse. Two of the

children will shed their story today.

It started when I was ten. I was playing outside, and he started

massaging my feet. Then it went a step too far. That is how it

started. It did not go on that long. Two

separate occasions, but one lasted four hours. I thought he was someone

I could trust, but he kept me away from everyone else.

At the time, I didn't feel anything, but when I got home, I told my

mother and then I felt guilty. I saw my mum so sad, but it was only when

I was older that I realised what had happened.

I got angry that I stopped doing things, but nothing seemed to happen

to him. After the sessions, I realised I did not do anything

wrong. I told my mother, and you have to

trust someone. I told someone I trusted.

The organisation gave me a different kind of support. As much as my

mother wanted to help me, she could not do it. It has been helpful and

it has change my behaviour at school.

I still get down. It can't cure everything, but it has benefited me.

I would say wake up, it is happening. I know it is

uncomfortable, because I listen to it every day. But it is happening,

and we need to support these children and give them a voice.

And you can donate to Children in Need ahead of tomorrow by calling

03457 332233, and there's more information on the website.

One of the main aims of the Olympics was to increase sports

participation. One club in Shropshire has done that in style,

and it's not even an Olympic sport. The game's netball, the club's in

Shrewsbury and it's a contender for newcomer of the year at the West

Midlands Community Sports Awards. Here's Lura May McMullan.

Getting youngsters fit, focused and having fun is the aim of this

netball club in Shrewsbury. The group was set up over a year ago

to encourage more junior participation. The response has been

fantastic. We started off with four or five

girls. Now we have 80 girls. We have done really well. We have

won two games. I have played since I was really

little, but the coaches give you so much passion.

I would like to go all the way. Especially with my coaches, they

have really inspired me. Huge fundraising efforts and

donations also mean that the girls get a kit and pay small fees.

We are all one big family. They give them so much. They get their

exercise, their confidence, and they become part of a family.

New members are joining them weekly.

An endangered breed of tiger moved into Dudley Zoo today. The Sumatran

tiger has been brought over from Germany as part of a conservation

programme. Our reporter Kevin Reide is at the Zoo for us ` how rare is

this tiger? It is incredibly rare. The official

description is that it is critically endangered. It is believed that

there are very few of these tigers left. The arrival of Joe is seen as

a good step. He is not in the enclosure behind me, he is in the

Tiger house. In morning of excitement and anticipation, as they

waited the arrival of the Tiger. Finally, a glimpse as they waited

for him to be moved into his new home. He was put into the enclosure

by crane and then released into the house.

The zookeeper is trying to calm him down. We hope to enter the enclosure

sooner. Finally, he was, off to face the

camera, although he was grumpy. He is very rare.

He is thought to be one of only a few of these tigers left on the

planet. There are said to be more tiger rugs in the world than there

are of these actual tigers. He seems OK.

That he is growling. What does that mean? He has had a big change. He

used to live with his sisters in Germany, but now he is alone.

His former home was near Frankfurt. He is now going to be with another

tiger who is settled at Dudley Zoo. It is a magnificent animal. The

conservation, bringing tigers to the public, we will hopefully get the

message across. Eight tiger cubs have been born at

the zoo in the last few years, and hopefully more will be.

He looks beautiful. When will he have visitors? Over the next few

days, he will be a climate I then to his new environment.

Then he will be introduced to his new mate. While they meet each other

and get to know each other, it could be a bit snow fracking, but it is

thought that they will get to know each other, because they are young.

But it is hoped that people will be able to visit them by next week. A

reminder that Dudley Zoo is open all year round.

It is just six weeks until Christmas. We have sent our reporter

out to the German market. Will be winter weather be here?

Maybe not tonight, but it should be later this week.

It is cold tonight, but people are still at the market. This market

will last until late in December. We are expecting 4 million visitors to

visit the market. It is the biggest German market outside Germany and

Austria. Although it has been cold here, it has been even cold in

Frankfurt. It will be one degree that night. That is not too

different from here, the temperatures will be around to

Celsius tonight. The clear skies that we had to end the day will

stick with us. The wind, that made it colder today, that will drop. The

temperatures will fall away and we could cease and frost tomorrow. A

cold start to our Friday, but it should be quite cloudy during the

day. Then, there will be some brightness in the eastern areas.

Temperatures not too different than they have been today. However,

having said that, without those wins, it will be milder. In the

sunshine, it will be pleasant. We will have that cloud on Saturday.

Further south, we watched is `` see some clear spells. We will see some

mist and frog on Saturday. It will be a mild night. Into the weekend,

it will be milder. There will be a cold front, with

some rain. We will get a different air mass, which means that things

will get much colder next week. Eyes, frost and snow in the

forecast. I will be back at 10pm, when we will

be finding out what social workers think about the crisis of social

care and children's services in Birmingham. Goodbye.