05/03/2014 Midlands Today

Ukrainians in crime era, as the high-level talks to resume the

crisis continue. Hello and welcome to Midlands Today.

The headlines tonight: The NEC group up for sale. Owners Birmingham City

Council needs to find ?1 billion to pay off equal pay claims. In some

people 's eyes, it may be about that. For me, it is about ensuring

the future guard `` the futtre of the city and safeguarding it.

We'll hear from an entrepreneur who believes it could be a great

opportunity for an investor. Also tonight: Bad blood and jealousy were

behind the murder of Joshua Ribera, a jury is told.

Protests, as Wolverhampton City Council meet to vote on

multi`million`pound cuts and job losses.

Not short on laughs, Hollywood star Warwick Davis brings his reduced

height theatre company to Coventry. When people see the show, they judge

was as actors and they enjoxed the play without any reference to our

size. And although I'm not promishng

temperatures as sizzling as this sunset, there is definitely

something to look forward to this weekend. I have more for yot in the

forecast later. Good evening. Birmingham City

Council has put the NEC Grotp up for sale. The company is made up of the

National Exhibition Centre, the National Indoor Arena, the

International Conference Centre and the LG Arena. It is estimatdd the

group brings in around ?2 bhllion to the West Midlands economy e`ch year.

It supports around 29,000 jobs in the region. The sale comes `s the

Council struggles to make s`vings of ?822 million over the next four

years, as well as settle eqtal pay claims of more than ?1 billhon.

Giles Latcham has the details. It is one of the nation's premier

venues for concerts and exhhbitions, handily placed for Birmingh`m and

the motorway network, and it's for sale. One careful owner, nalely the

City Council. At the NEC, they say it is an opportunity for thdm to

grow in a way they couldn't up until now. The City Council cannot operate

and they cannot buy businesses in different countries and that is what

we want to do. We have brought partnerships into different arenas.

What we are looking to do is expand that capability into differdnt

geographies around the world that want our services.

There will be 25`year leases on the NIA and the ICC in the city centre.

The NEC itself is up for sale on a 100`year lease. This place `ttracts

some of the biggest names in show business and perhaps more

importantly, more than 4 million visitors a year, or what an asset!

So selling it off is like sdlling off the Crown Julz. In some people,

it made `` some people, it lay, to me it is about ensuring the future

of this city is safeguarded and the interests of NEC safeguarded, I

think we will do this by thd disposal of this asset to the

private sector. Certainly, the council needs the

money. The sale will help sdttle the bill it faces for an equal pay claim

by thousands of women for ydars paid less than their male counterparts. I

am glad Birmingham are lookhng at ways to settle their liabilhties but

they could have paid these women the right amounts over the years.

Instead, they have not and ht has looked up and they paying a big hill

at the end rather than paying the women are right amount as they went

along. `` the right amount. And there is cross`party support.

Birmingham's former leader says selling up is the best option, but

with conditions attached. A long lease is the way forward and it

gives is influence on what will happen in the future. It is

imperative for we are doing successfully is continued. H declare

the National exhibition Centre open. Nearly 40 years on, the NEC now

boasts 20 exhibition halls. Crufts starts tomorrow, one of the big

annual shows. So what is thd place worth? One estimate is ?300 million,

but with Britain still emerging from recession, there is every chance the

buyer will come from abroad. PY Gerbeau is an entreprenetr who

turned around the fortunes of the Millenium Dome in London, and has

since been in charge of a ntmber of large leisure centre projects in the

UK. He joins us now from London Good evening. Would the NEC group be

an attractive business proposition? It is a fantastic business.

Worldwide known. It is not only known in the UK but internationally

as a very high`quality venud, so it is a fantastic business proposition.

It is not for me to judge if the council is right or wrong to sell it

but it will attract a lot of attention from the business

community in this country and abroad. So you think investors from

the UK might be interested `nd not just our own businesses? Absolutely,

it is well`known foreign investment has come into the events industry or

quite some time but I think there is a lot of money flying around `` for

white. This is a very attract of business proposition. `` attractive.

It is still in a public and private partnerships so it will attract a

certain type of investor. So it private equity investor frol this

country and abroad will cardfully be looking at this. And the prhce will

be crucial, around 300 millhon, you know the value of this, does that

sound right? It does sound right and it could be higher. But it hs a 100

year lease. And the recession has hit. If you look at the vente,

although it is very successful, it needs a bit of investment in terms

of capital expenditure. So hf you have to spend a lot of monex to rent

it to the next generation, 000 years might be a bit shorter. There will

be some horse trading at it is an excellent proposition. `` what. And

the pride for the Midlands will still be there it is privatd

ownership, they are not movhng it anywhere. So it is very good and as

a leisure man, it is one of the best distances to look at at this moment.

`` businesses. Would you be interested? You know what, laybe!

Coming up later in the programme: Made in the Midlands, local MPs

promote products from our rdgion at the House of Commons. The trial of a

man accused of murdering a talented rap artist has heard that the motive

was one of jealousy over a xoung woman. Joshua Ribera was fatally

stabbed last year, at a party to celebrate the life of his bdst

friend, who had been stabbed to death just a year before. Otr

special correspondent, Peter Wilson, was in court.

Alison, and fitted outside court after hearing how her son h`d been

stabbed with `` with a knifd through his heart. 18`year`old Joshta Ribera

was at a party last Septembdr to raise money for a headstone to

commemorate his friend, 16`xear`old Kyle Sheehan, stabbed a year before.

The prosecution allege the lotive for the killing was jealousx, had

blood over a young woman. `` bad. It is claimed that the defendant Armani

Mitchell was angry to see hhs ex`girlfriend with Joshua Rhbera.

There was a confrontation bdtween the young men and it is alldged that

Armani Mitchell threatened Joshua Ribera, saying, do you want me to

watch you up? Meaning to st`b him. `` wet. He was a talented r`p artist

with a number one hit, his friends and fans were in court to s`y ``

here as he lay dying, he whhspered the nickname of his attacker to

paramedics fighting to save his life. The prosecution say Armani

Mitchell pulled out a knife and drove it into Joshua Ribera. They

say that you do not drive a knife into the heart of a man without

intending to kill him or catse him serious damage. Armani Mitchell

denies the charge of murder. The trial is expected to last three

weeks. Four people have been arrested today

in connection so called "cotrier fraud". A person is phoned by

someone pretending to be a police officer or bank official and tricked

into handing over their cards and bank details. Police raided nine

addresses across the West Mhdlands this morning, including one in Burns

Road in Wednesbury, where a 58`year`old man was arrested on

suspicion of conspiracy to defraud. Officers also found live amlunition

at the House. Police say they have found ` number

of "items of interest" following three days of searches in woodland

near Coventry. They were investigating the disappear`nce of

Nicola Payne, who went misshng more than 22 years ago. Now the searches

at Commbe Abbey have finishdd, tests will be carried out to see hf the

items are significant in Nicola s case.

It has been confirmed that Dvesham's Abbey Bridge and viaduct will open

to traffic from Monday afternoon. The bridge has been shut for around

six months for engineering works. They began work last September and

should have been finished whthin ten weeks.

Protestors have been demonstrating outside Wolverhampton Counchl

offices this evening ahead of the council's budget meeting.

Councillors are looking at cutting 2,000 jobs and making ?123 lillion

in savings over the next five years. Joanne Writtle is outside the

council house tonight. What has been the reaction among protestors?

It is anger. The protesters were demonstrating outside the council

chamber. The meeting among the council is going on to decide on

these cuts. These are deep cuts which will have a impact on the

city. Among the proposals, tp to 2,000 job cuts. And among the staff

that keep their jobs, there are changes to terms and condithons to

be negotiated such as docking the first day of paid during sick leave

and cooked `` and cutting ftll`time hours from 37 to 35. I spokd to a

trades union Council secret`ry who is also a council worker working

with adults with learning difficulties. They have closed my

workplace and threatening to cut 80 jobs to 30. It is similar for my

colleagues in other parts of care and youth services. A lot of money,

or what could be cut? `` wh`t. They are expected to move ?67 million to

save 123 million over five xears. All areas on the cards incltding

libraries, leisure centres, children's centres. And there is a

plan for camera enforcement of motorists who use bus lanes

illegally, similar to measures which have proved controversial in

Birmingham. And the council leader says these measures are tough. There

will be a major impact on the city but those people who use our

services most will be most `ffected, older people and the most

vulnerable. And in any other set of circumstances, we would want to be

supporting. Councillors also expected to push through a 2%

increase in council tax although they do say this would be the first

rise in four years. Thank you. Our top story tonight:

The NEC group up for sale. Owners Birmingham City Council needs to

find ?1 billion to pay off dqual pay claims.

Your detailed weather forec`st to come shortly.

Also in tonight's programme: A squad with a difference, Worcester

Warriors set up the country's first homeless rugby team.

And the casualties of the Great War, but these were underground hn North

Staffordshire. MPs from across our region have been

promoting products made in the Midlands at the House of Colmons

today. Investors have been hnvited to see the work of ten comp`nies

from Birmingham and the Black country. Our political reporter

Catherine Stanszcyzn was thdre. This is the only firm in Europe still

making handmade leather bikd saddles and business has gone from strength

to strength, making 1,000 s`ddles a day, double the amount it m`de a

decade ago. People are still aware they are being handmade and we like

to promote that and show Birmingham are still making things herd. Brooks

has been showing off its products at the House of Commons today,

showcasing the best of small`scale manufacturing in Birmingham and the

Black Country. Figures show the West Midlands still has the most money

back trio of any region in the UK, 80% of those `` 8% of busindsses.

This Labour MP who has organised this event says not enough people

are aware of that. We need to put Birmingham and the West Midlands

more firmly on the map of Westminster. Let people in London

place is thriving. And therd is an assumption we dissed to mantfacture

things, that is not true. Btttons, jewellery, and one of the world 's

most advanced small engines are on display, designed to show the West

`` the rest of the country the West Midlands still has what it takes. Do

the people today agree? It hs quite striking how deep their expdrtise

are and how many years they have been going and it is striking they

have had these businesses going Along. The automotive industry in

the region is booming and locals want to say this is the place to

invest in special products. The message is, in Birmingham and the

Black Country, we still makd things. Kidderminster Harriers Football Club

have sacked Andy Thorn as their manager, after just two months in

charge. Thorn was brought in at the start of January to try and ensure

the club got promoted to thd Football League. But results have

not improved and his appointment was unpopular with the fans. Gary Whild

has been put in charge for the rest of the season.

This will be a subject on the breakfast show tomorrow.

The country's first homeless rugby team to be backed by a profdssional

club has been set up in Worcester. The Warriors have been recrtiting

residents of the YMCA to crdate a squad to compete in a summer league.

It is part of a wider plan to eventually form an England homeless

touch rugby team. Our reporter, Pam Caulfield, joined them for `

training session. On the pitch, these players are put

through their paces. But off`field, most face bigger battles, against

homelessness, drug problems and alcohol addiction.

It's kept us off the streets. Stopped us doing naughty thhngs

Basically, on a Friday night now, we train up at the YMCA. Inste`d of

going out on the pop. Since the summer, they've bden

training here once a week whth coaches from the Worcester Warriors.

And setting up the first professional homeless rugby team in

the country is a learning ctrve for them too.

From going into schools when you've got 30 kids buzzing, ready for

rugby, to a place where you struggle to get two or three at the start.

That's always an uphill battle really.

But it's one they're now winning, with a full squad regularly turning

out. The group we've got now are really

committed to it. It just makes everything more rewarding. They re

getting better each week. Wd're able to arrange more sessions for them.

It's part of a wider plan to eventually form an England Homeless

rugby team, but the main ail is to motivate the players on and off the

pitch. Before, I was a little bit

defeatist. The effects of it, it gets you out. Gets you more

confident. Just focussed on something. And if you can focus on a

little something like this, then you can apply that to your actu`l life.

Getting a job. Starting agahn. With the coaching and all that, ht's

boosted my confidence back tp and I've got my own place.

And changing lives in this way will not only help the project whn more

funding, it could also give the players a chance to represent their

country. As thousands marched to War in 914,

thousands more were left behind doing crucial jobs which cotld be

fraught with danger. One of those was coal`mining. With littld or no

regard for health and safetx, the death toll rose as the War

progressed. And then in 1918, an explosion ripped through a line in

the village of Halmer End in North Staffordshire, with devastating

consequences. Cath Mackie rdports. Behind the statistics is a name a

face, and a bereaved family. I lost three great uncles in Minnid Pit.

This is Jesse and Harry, and Ralph. They were among 156 men and boys who

lost their lives in the Minnie Pit disaster on January 12th 1908. It

absolutely devastated the vhllage. If you look at these houses,

practically every house lost a son, husband, father. Mining was crucial

to the War effort for industry, railways and shipping. But ht was

dangerous work. Around 200 len and boys lost their lives in thd North

Staffordshire pits between 0914 to 18. There had been little ahr

movement. You would have sedn dust floating by. Very thick dust. The

Apedale Heritage Centre in Newcastle`under`Lyme gives some idea

of life for the wartime mindrs. How long would they have spdnt down

here? They could have you down here from 6am until 7pm, 8pm. Never see

daylight. For the families, it was a worrying time, Minnie Pit w`s a

disaster waiting to happen. The explosion at Minnie Pit happened at

exactly 20 minutes to ten. We heard a rush of wind. Somebody sahd, it

was smoke, something is the matter. By that time, we were incomplete

darkness. Minnie Pit was very, very gassy. They lifted the lamps above

their heads. They used to s`y it would not be long before thdir clogs

were clattering the roof, in other words, they were expecting `n

explosion. 44 out of the 156 victims were under 16 years of age. The dead

were taken to the local chapel for identification, which wasn't easy.

One of my great uncles was identified because on his t`ckle, he

had a scarlet ribbon. `` buckle It took 18 months for all the bodies to

be recovered from the labyrhnth of tunnels. Each number denotes where a

body was found. Fathers and sons were found in each other's `rms The

scene of such devastation is now a memorial.

I'm standing on what would have been an entrance to Minnie Pit, but after

the explosion in 1918, it w`s sealed and has since been concreted over.

And with the 100th annivers`ry, there are plans for a book `nd a

play to remember those who died It just makes me feel that I h`ve not

forgotten them, that they are not forgotten, because it was a very

tragic time for these peopld and it is nice to think that somebody

remembers them. We would love to hear from xou if

you have a relative who recdived the Victoria Cross during the Fhrst

World War. Our email address is midlandstoday @bbc.co.uk. And there

is plenty more information on the special BBC World War One wdbsite.

He is a Hollywood star who has appeared in films including Star

Wars and Harry Potter. Now Warwick Davis has set up his own

theatre company where all the cast members are less than four feet

tall. Their new production hs on at Coventry's Belgrade Theatre. Kevin

Reide has been to meet him. As well as an impressive Hollywood

portfolio, Warwick Davis also has a glittering TV career, with one of

his most recent works being the tongue in cheek Life's Too Short.

But in this latest project, he brings together a cast of shmilar

statures, under the name Thd Reduced Height Theatre Company. The ethos

behind the company is to give short performance a platform to challenge

themselves and to celebrate the talent without reference to their

size. Their first play is entitled See How

They Run, a comedy farce set in quintessential rural England.

Amongst the cast, 17`year`old Francesca Mills, from Market

Drayton, in Shropshire. I think Warwick 's company hs a

genius idea. It is definitely a brilliant opportunity for all of us

to participate in and working with Warwick is an honour. You ldarn so

much from him, he is a genits, he has been involved in the business

for some many years. It is just an honour, really. `` so many xears.

She is amazing, she set the bar very high to keep up with her and she

totally steals the show. It is impossible to match.

Warwick has never shied awax from the issues his stature raisdd.

Kept that quiet, didn't she? Look at her, there is no clue in thd

picture. People talk to me `nd try not to say the word, short, but in

doing so, they say it more than they should.

The more you try not to do something, the more you do ht. So I

try to make people feel at dase straightaway and that it is all

right, let's just have a ch`t. See How They Run is on every night at

the Belgrade in Coventry until Saturday.

The UK's first`ever 31`leggdd race took place at the NEC near

Birmingham today. Ninety chhldren from three of the city's schools

took part in the event insphred by a craze that's hugely popular in

Japan. The two winning teams will compete in the Sport Relief Games in

London later this month. Thd three presenters from CBBC's Blue Peter

were at today's race to help coach the youngsters.

It is so hard, it is about communication. You get excited and

the adrenaline is rushing and that is when you make stakes. Yot have to

compose yourselves and workhng as a team, and they did just that. And a

lot of coordination! We're not doing too badly for early

spring sunshine so far this week, how's it looking for next couple of

days, Shefali? We would like to see sunshine and

warmth but the sunshine will be fading.

But temperatures will be gohng up, and you will notice a difference

during the weekend. That influence will stretch into next week. The

colours are heart`warming. These are going to intensified by the weekend.

These were washed across us all week and it will become more pronounced

by the weekend `` these will wash. The high pressure and the w`rm front

bring the warm air towards ts. There is this feature towards the West

will stop this will threaten some rain for the weekend `` the West

that will threaten some rain for the weekend. We have that infludnce at

the moment. We started sunnx at that cloud has started to spread across

the region and it will bring in rain to the North and West in thd night.

For the majority of the reghon, it should stay dry. We dropped to about

minus two Celsius for Birmingham. `` we will drop. I do not think we will

see frost or ice tonight. It would be like and patchy rain for most

places, but we could see he`vier rain from time to time `` lhght It

will be slightly breezy. Thd same frontal system is bringing the rain

tomorrow and more rain on Friday. This is how it is looking for the

rest of the week. Out mix of rain on Friday, temperatures creeping up ``

outbreaks. More rain on Sattrday and Sunday.

I like the idea of wafting warm air! Tonight's headlines from thd BBC:

Trying to break the deadlock. Russia, America and Europe leet for

the first time since the Ukraine crisis began.

The EU law that may force RBS and Lloyds to relocate to London if

Scotland becomes independent. The NEC group up for sale, owners

Birmingham City Council needs to find ?1 billion to pay off dqual pay

claims. And bad blood and jealousy caused

murder, claims from the prosecution at the start of the Joshua Ribera

trial. Before we go, are you interdsted in

the BBC and its programmes `nd services? If so, the BBC Trtst's

Audience Council England, is looking for people here in the West Midlands

to join its regional audience panel. The panel meets three at tiles a

year, it isn't paid but you do get expenses. The easiest way to find

out more, and to get an application pack, is to go to the website,

bbc.co.uk/ace. If you don't have internet access, call 0800 092 030.

Calls are free from landlinds, but calls from a mobile will cost. The

closing date for applications is Friday seventh March.

That was the Midlands Today. I'll be back at ten o'clock with more on the

outcome of the meeting on ctts and jobs losses at Wolverhampton City

Council. Have a great evening. Goodbye.