17/02/2012 South Today

Hello, I'm Sally Taylor. Welcome to South Today. In tonight's

programme: A big bill from a nursing home lands on this woman's

doorstep for failing to "give notice" of her father's death.

says you have to give 28 days' notice of moving or dying. How many

people know when they are going to die?

How much for a healthy heart? Should this surgery have promoted a

private test to its patients? Portsmouth Football Club is in

administration for the second time in three seasons. We're live at the

club. And Dig For Victory - allotment

holders who complained about high A woman from Christchurch is

calling for better regulation of nursing homes after she was sent a

bill for failing to "give notice" of her father's death. 79-year-old

Kenneth Cann was a resident at Highcliffe Nursing Home in Dorset.

He had dementia. His daughter says he was well looked after there. But

she was very surprised when a letter from the home arrived on her

doorstep the day after his funeral. It stated that, "A notice period of

four weeks is required in the event of a resident moving out or passing

away." Because she hadn't given notice that her father would die on

January 30th - and how could she? - the letter demanded payment of just

over �3,000. And such a charge is something the National Care

Association says is wrong. Chris Coneybeer reports.

Kenneth Cann was a jovial figure in Christchurch, but dementia meant he

ended his days in their care homes. Their fees, �3,500 per month. When

he died, his daughter received a letter offering condolences, but

also saying for weeks notice was required of moving out or passing

away. It meant that �3,000 was a ring.

It says you have to give 28 days' notice of moving or dying. How many

people know when they are going to die? I think to have this belt land

on the relatives doorstep with this bill on top of everything else, was

absolutely appalling and very insensitive the day after the

funeral. They say it is a money- making venture. The people involved

on the personal level are merely pawns in this game. Used to get

much money at a people as they can. Nobody from the care home would be

interviewed today, but in a statement they said, we take all

matters of concern raised by residents of family is very

seriously. We will respond to people directly concerned over the

matters raised. They also said, we value our customers and association

with the community at large. Earlier I spoke to Sheila Scott

from the National Care Association and asked her if it's common

practise for a care home to demand four weeks notice in this way.

It certainly was 20 or 30 years ago to have that written into the

contract. I think of four weeks' notice, if someone is leaving the

care home to go home or another name, is normal. It is not a

somebody passes away. If somebody passes await them in my experience,

people are given time to clear the room and they would pay for the

room over those few days while they clear it. That would be the end of

the matter. I just want to read out the

sentence from the health care. This is the letter. A sentence as an

notice period of four weeks is required in the event of a resident

moving out or passing away. That seems extraordinary. What is your

reaction? I am very surprised first of all, but also it seems very

insensitive and I expect it is possibly a letter that has been

used for some time and is to be reviewed and reviewed quickly.

it a question of common sense or is a question of regulation? I do

believe this is about was reasonable. Clearly, giving four

weeks' notice is not a reasonable expectation. I think there needs to

be give and take on both sides. Clearly the home will feel that for

the days when it can't use the room, those few days after somebody has

passed away when the run has to be cleared, that that should be paid

for, but I don't think it is reasonable to expect four weeks to

be paid. Thank you. Portsmouth Football Club is in

liquidation. The club had that gas and electricity services were in

danger of being cut off. Tony, a wrangle over the Court of the

administrator today, I understand? It was always a matter that

Portsmouth would go into administration today to protect

them against liquidation, but in a surprise move, how HM Revenue and

Customs got their way with justice Morrissey was presiding and they

got Trevor Birch appointed. They felt he could add a more

independence set of eyes to what has been a course of perennial

crisis. He will now deal with the issues of the cancellation of gas

and electric and other issues here at Fratton Park.

It is about survival, putting a team out tomorrow, winning games

and hope the least surviving this season. How have you found the mood

among staff here? It has been a very difficult time for them. And a

very difficult time over the last four years. Particularly recently

where they have not been paid wages. From the meeting I have just had, I

see resilience and a workforce that is keen to embrace going forward.

Joe Birch there. We have lost Tony for the moment. We will return to

him later. We will try and receive more on Pompey going into

administration. For the moment we will turn to another story.

A GP surgery in Horsham has been heavily criticised for offering its

patients the option of paying to have a heart screening test carried

out on its premises. There's been a strong reaction to the letter the

GP's surgery has sent out, with critics claiming the tests are

already available free on the NHS. But the practice denies this.

Danielle Glavin has more. Part surgery gets good feedback

from patients. A recent survey they shows as much, but medical

professions are concerned about his connection to a private company.

The surgery has sent this letter out. It says that if you want all

of the Test they talk about, it would cost �159 because this is

being sent on behalf of a private company. Critics say that using GP

lists December out of those like this is a conflict of interest.

They say it undermines patients' trust in their GPs.

The letter said that the surgery receives a nominal fee from their

company and that health screening is available on the NHS, but this

is more expensive. One patient says receiving the letter worried her.

Before the letter came, I had regular blood tests and I thought

the letter was related to it, but then I realised it was actually

advertising private services. The Health Minister wants to shake

up the NHS. The private sector would play a greater role and GPs

would have more control over budgets some say this is an example

as to why this is a bad idea. many other companies will end up

going via GPs to access patient lists? This leads to the risk of

promoting private services to patients which are actually

available free on the NHS. Royal College of GPs is also

concerned. In a statement they said, we would expect GPs to discuss

concern that patients have about Health in a statement, part surgery

told us this is common practice within the NHS. They said no

patients' details have been given to the private company. They also

said any money made from this goes to their registered charity which

will help them buy medical equipment.

The surgery also offers free NHS health checks.

A man's been jailed for four and a half years for starting a fire in a

church on the Isle of Wight. 23- year-old Kevin Williams from

Sandown had pleaded guilty to setting the altar on fire at St

Mary's Church in Carisbrooke last November. He also admitted to

stealing a cross. Two other people arrested in connection with the

incident are due in court later this month.

More and more people have been joining the queue for allotments as

a way of making their budgets go further in these tough times. So a

council's decision to up its fees for them by 60% not surprisingly

proved controversial. Eastleigh Borough argued the plots at an

average of �40 a year were still good value for money. But today, as

Joe Campbell reports, a judge ruled they had overstepped the mark with

their increase. Allotment holders here never

disputed the council's right to increase their rents, but when they

went up from 25 to �40 per year, they dug their heels in for a fight.

Today a judge backed the case of their leader that raising allotment

fees by 60% while the cost of leisure activities were increased

by 9% just was not acceptable. is not a question of a fair price.

They are coming to us with a 60% increase and whether that is

reasonable or not. Reasonable is not 60%. It council tax increase by

60% there be more people in court today.

The council said its prices for allotments were in relation to

other councils. The most expensive, they wanted �15 per rod. Here in

Southampton, the cost was just �3.60. At the end of the day, the

council admitted that when it set prices two years ago, what it was

really about was reducing the cost to the local authority.

Eastleigh Borough Council says it is disappointed with today's result.

This involved as one out a 700 allotment holders.

Will you now be refunding money for the others or will there be more

court cases? The council will consider its position over the next

seven days. Other councils like Brighton and

Hove which is also under fire, have been given food for thought by

today's ruling. Now, would you be willing to pay an

extra �5 of council tax a year if it saved police jobs? Police

authorities across the south have been grappling with just this

problem for the last few weeks. Today Thames Valley was the last

force in the region to set its budget and decided not to charge

any more. But for some forces, this will mean job cuts - some on the

frontline. Our Home Affairs Correspondent Alex Forsyth is here

to explain. This year the government said it

wants to freeze council tax to help struggling families. So it offered

the local bodies that set tax what seems like a good deal freeze tax

and get a government grant to cover the cost. But there's a down side.

So far the grant is only for one year, so when it comes to next

year's budget, they won't have the grant or the extra tax.

In recent weeks, police authorities across the south have been deciding

whether or not to accept this deal, which means they will be worse off

next year. Today Thames Valley Police decided to freeze tax and

find savings elsewhere. It was a decision for the police authority.

They fill very strong that with family budgets under pressure, it

is the wrong time to increase costs for local people. We will spend

less on overtime, buildings, rent and rates, less on police vehicles.

It unfortunately means there will be less jobs as well.

But some Chief Constables warn freezing tax will affect policing.

Hampshire's Chief Constable Alex Marshall said it will cost 100 jobs

on top of hundreds already going. And Dorset's Chief Constable Martin

Baker said it will mean losing an extra 80 posts.

Despite the warnings, both authorities, made up of local

politicians and lay members, decided to freeze tax, saying it's

important in tough times to keep it low.

But the increase the Chief Constables wanted was only around

�5 a year per household. So would you pay an extra fiver a year to

save police jobs? Definitely. Because I don't think there are

enough police. I'm not sure if I would because I think we paid

enough tax in this country as it is. Definitely yes. Why? Because I

think they are a necessary item on the streets and the more you see of

them, the less crime there will be. All the forces in the south have

now set their budgets for next year. And all except Surrey decided not

to raise tax, even though it means finding more savings next year,

unless the government offers another grant.

The last ferry from Weymouth for weeks, or perhaps months, set sail

this morning. The port is being closed because of safety concerns.

Divers found cracks in the harbour wall, and Condor Ferries is

temporarily moving its entire operation 30 miles down the coast

to Poole. But as our Transport Correspondent Paul Clifton reports,

it's a move which is worrying business owners in Weymouth.

Here is the problem, cracks in the sea wall that could threaten the

structural integrity of the ferry port. This morning, the last

passengers for the foreseeable future checked in. Since I was a

child, I can remember ferries going back and forth to France. It will

be a huge loss to the town and we hope it will be short-term. At this

restaurant, the loss of the ferry will be felt quickly. It will

really effect as. We do get trade coming in from the ferries if they

can't sail. For Paul, the unexpected arrival of Condor

services could not have come at a better time. The new twins sales

bridge connecting the board opens in 10 days' time. For most

passengers, the move will not be disruptive. Condor's core market is

holidaymakers from the south-east and the Midlands. Almost, Paul is

easier to reach them Weymouth. It is a lesser dry for me to go to

Paul. It won't make a great difference because we come from

Lincolnshire. I live in France but I come over as a carer. Coming into

Weymouth is really a handy but this will be a drag. The final ferry

takes with it one of the most important businesses in Weymouth, a

�100 million a-year company carrying a million passengers. In

the summer season it employs 800 people. The board could take weeks

and possibly months to repair. There is talk of getting it

repaired before the Olympics, but without a detailed survey of the

cracked sea wall, they really don't know.

Moving on to a sport now. Let's join Tony husband again he is at

Fratton Park where the focus has been more about what's happening

off the pitch. We had from the early and the administrator, how

easy is it going to be for Pompey to find a buyer just two years

after going into administration? Not easy. Trevor Birch has admitted

he made a special is of interest. More than just a phone call. This

is still a big challenge. There are lot of historical issues for the

weather by is the club to sort out. People who have enormous mortgages,

land around the ground, loads of issues. Trevor Birch's appointment

has been met with optimism by fans. Obviously they need to put the club

back on to an even keel. We need to find a person that will take over

the kerb. Are like to see community involvement in that. -- take over

the club. We need this run in a businesslike manner from now on.

There has been some big lessons learnt in football over the last

couple of years. The fact that they've fallen back into

administration. I spoke earlier to Portsmouth North MP with her

concerns. There are hopes that Parliament and government will play

a bigger role in football in the future. Parliament has at long last

got involved in this. The select committee has introduced a report

critical of current rules. Things like the fit and proper persons

test. A whole raft of stuff needs reform.

Ten-point penalty Portsmouth facing up to take some to the lower

reaches of the championship. They are at Barnsley tomorrow. It is a

big weekend in the FA Cup. Two massive games for our side. The

lucky horseshoe brigade will made no reminding that Brighton's

stripped to the final 30 years ago saw them eliminate Liverpool on the

wave. It is the stuff dreams are made of. It is going to be a great

experience. It will be unique for a few players because you don't know

if they will be aborted play again so it is a chance for them to go

and do something special. While a Cup run is exciting for

Pam's -- fans and players, business implications cannot be ignored.

They will each receive money -- �212,000 for the game on TV. If

they were to win, there is a further �180,000 in prize money.

Liverpool legend and now pundit Mark Lawrence and still has a soft

spot for Brighton. He began his career in Sussex.

Brighton are looking good. They started well then tailed off a

little bit, played good football. They have done a great job there.

It is a difficult job for them. Liverpool's form has recently

picked up. This time last year, thousands of

Crawley fans are on their weight at Old Trafford and enjoying every

minute. Steve Evans is well aware this weekend represents another

enormous opportunity. With the money that has come in, we

are putting up a new seat stand which is due to be started in the

next couple of weeks. There are further of things the board wanted

put in the infrastructure. If the money comes in, it will be spent to

develop the club for the future. Even the most optimistic supporters

probably think that the Cup final is a long shot, but despite the

odds, the progress is not out of the question.

Reading could go up to third in the championship tonight, taking

advantage of the rest of their rivals not playing until tomorrow,

of course. We have some breaking news coming in. Major problems this

evening on the main railway line between London and Brighton. Let's

get the latest from Paul Clifton. What can you tell us?

It is effecting passengers heavily. Network Rail say at length of Rail

is broken near Purley which is north of Gatwick Airport. All

services have been cancelled or diverted to other routes. One

message I have seen from Network Rail say that British Transport

Police are on the scene trying to help evacuate passengers from

trains that have been stranded. We have no idea how many people may be

involved, but this incident has happened at the peak of Friday

rush-hour. The last couple of minutes I have a note from Southern

Row way he is a fitters are now on site attempting to make stranded

trains that have been trapped as safe to move. Network Rail suggest

that repairs will take several hours. The cause of the damage is

not known, but this is a second time in a fortnight that an

incident has happened on the Brighton main line. Two weeks ago a

track broke near Haywards Heath and that caused many thousands of

people to be disrupted. Thank you very much for that.

Listen to BBC local radio for an update on that. We will keep you

posted if we anything else on that. Let's get straight to the weather.

Let's get straight to the weather. It has been nice, hasn't it.

It has. We had a few showers, but it has been lovely. We have a cold

snap on the wave. Let's start with tonight. A lot of cloud of patchy

drizzle a possibility. Comfortable for sleeping. Temperatures

remaining above freezing with a low of 78 Celsius. The chance of patchy

drizzle here and there, but most places will stay dry. PLO's are

lower in the countryside. A mild but cloudy start tomorrow. A cold

front will slip its way south and east words bringing wind and dust

up to 40 miles per hour. Temperatures are as high as nine or

10 Celsius. Once that weather front shift through, it will become a

lovely end to the day. Temperatures will take a plunge towards freezing.

Values in our towns and cities a widespread frost. Down to minus

figures perhaps in the countryside. Sunday daytime will be lovely. Lots

of sunshine, blue skies for some of us after that frosty start. Two

degrees to start the race at 9am for their Brighton half-marathon on

then it will warm up slightly. Maybe six or seven degrees by the

afternoon. 10,000 runners taking place starting at 9am. Monday start

bright with increasing cloud cover during the afternoon. You can see

the weather fronts heading towards us for Tuesday. There will be here

all week next week so it is an unsettled picture. But you can see

that mild air will be drawn up from the Atlantic said temperatures will

take a rise. A brave cold spell on Monday. Freezing temperatures to

start Sunday but lots of sunshine on offer. Monday has a cloudy start

but predominantly dry before the rain arrives on Tuesday.

rain arrives on Tuesday. I have something for it. It is not

chocolate, but it is tomatoes. They look lovely.

We take these for granted, they're always in the shops. But at this

time of year they're usually Spanish or Israeli. Well these

tomatoes are Hampshire grown, fresh from the Isle of Wight today and

that's unusual as even in a greenhouse, British tomatoes don't

ripen until Spring. This year, though, the clear skies and sun

over winter has meant there's a huge batch ready for harvesting.

An early start for the staff at white salad. This is something they

Why have they come in the middle of February? The good sunshine we have

had has bought them on earlier. That has accelerated the ripening

process. It is an early variety anyway, but it is delivered earlier

than we were expecting. There are 300 pickers picking the plants now,

it will be working non-stop until November. We are happy it happens

early. We pick on average 60 kilos per hour and we can pick 40 tonnes

in a week of the small tomatoes. There's a lot to pick. Every square

metre of floor space in the green house produces 40 kilos of tomatoes.

That is 400 tonnes per year. This is delicate work for one reason,

tomatoes are not the hardiest of plants. They are very susceptible

to disease which is why I'm wearing gloves and a paper sit because of

virus in this grey mouse could wipe out an entire crop and it could be

bought in here by something as since well as a shop-bought tomato

sandwich. You can get your hands on these

tomatoes 2. The question is, with his head start, can other growers

I would just bring you up-to-date with the breaking news. Problems on

the London to Brighton railway line near Purley north of Gatwick.