26/07/2011 Spotlight

The Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall denies a climb-down over

radical plans for policing. Good evening. Just three months

after the shake-up, Stephen Otter admits some changes are already

necessary. Also tonight:

Preparing for 100,000 visitors - we will be live in Falmouth, which is

becoming a film set and the venue for a major sailing regatta.

Facing an ultimatum - the council staff told more jobs will be at

risk if they don't accept new terms and conditions.

And the fisherman thankful this one got away, but what was it?

It is not the sort of thing you want to bring on your boat all want

on the end of the will Hough. I don't think mine would have taken

it anyway. The Chief Constable of Devon and

Cornwall Police has denied a climb- down over radical plans to policing

which were introduced just three months ago. His blueprint for the

force was an attempt to deal with budget cuts and the loss of 700

jobs. But Stephen Otter today told Spotlight he now believes more

police need to be on the beat in rural areas in the daytime, and is

taking action to make that happen. Our home affairs correspondent

Simon Hall reports from the east Devon town of Honiton.

Rural areas had raised concerns they would suffer under the

reorganisation of policing in Devon and Cornwall with officers drawn

into the cities and larger towns. Police say they are now addressing

that. For traders like Chris Cook, it is a welcome move. There are not

so many on market days as they used to be, not even with the community

police, they are not here as often as they used to be, so to protect

people and customers they could be a bit more supportive. The new

policing model for Devon and Cornwall, the blueprint, it is

designed to cope with the loss of 700 officers by making policing of

flexible, but shift patterns meant many of us is working late into the

night, fine for cities and big towns but less so for rural areas.

Changes will mean more officers on rural beat in the daytime. What we

are aiming to do is take their deployment around individual areas

said the public get what they need, but so that we can response to --

respond to emergencies Popple it. Is this an admission you did not

get it right to start with? Not at all, we always knew we would create

a corporate shift pattern to allow us to deal with demand better and

then we would carefully planned a deployment plan around each area.

The police say that surveys show on the breed visibility has remained

steady despite the loss of officers. The changes to policing in rural

areas will take effect over the next three months.

Just how this GNU model of policing is working is being closely

monitored here. Police have reassured the public that policing

standards will be maintained, even after the loss of so many officers.

They are acutely aware they are under close scrutiny to hold to

that promise. Tourism bosses predict a huge boost

to the economy of Falmouth as two big events converge on the resort.

More than 100,000 people will visit the town as it gears up for

Falmouth Week, which starts on Saturday.

Not only that, but Brad Pitt and his Hollywood entourage are in the

town to begin filming a major blockbuster movie. Our reporter

Philippa Mina is in the Cornish town this evening.

It is certainly a big deal for farmers. Behind me are the box, one

of the main filming locations for Brad Pitt's new movie, and out on

the water the setting for the region's largest sailing regatta.

With both of these events over the next few weeks, it is exciting for

locals and visitors but it is also a big boost for businesses.

For Falmouth's many hotels and guest houses, it is quite a month.

Not only are they are catering for the farmers wheat -- Falmouth week

on Saturday, but the cast and crew of Brad Pitt's zombie movie are

staying in the town well they work on the fairway. If we will not be

busy at this time of year, when will we? Having to speed up a gear,

so to speak. I think the film coming to us and the crew being

with us, we are full to capacity. We wish we could have taken more,

but it is a busy time of year. It creates a bit of energy amongst the

team. Falmouth Week regatta is expected to bring in around 100,000

visitors, with events and entertainment across the town as

well as action on the water. It will be a busy time. Whether they

favour zombies or sailing boats, for visitors and locals the arrival

of the two events is welcome. regatta has been well publicised. I

don't think I would have relatives come in because Brad Pitt was here.

I think it is good for Falmouth. Parking may be a problem, but I am

all for it. It might be a bit scary, the film. But I would still like it.

If it is for are all dead than seven -8, then I would not watch it

-- if it was for people older than seven decades, I would not watch it.

There were rumours that Brad Pitt and his wife and children were

staying around Falmouth, but whether it is true or not, it will

still put farmers on the map. Paramount pictures are remaining

tight-lipped about their stars and filming schedule, but what we do

know is that this is all good for the economy, and I am joined by an

Richard -- Richard Wilcox. What benefits are you expecting? This is

hugely beneficial to farmers and be counted with over 500 crew and cast

in the area for the next three weeks. We can expect a huge impact

on the accommodation sector, drinks and food, retail sectors, will all

benefit enormously from this. The profile is issued with national and

international media gaze upon Salma. Of course there is significant

local economic activity, Paramount will need 500 extras as part of the

film them so all good for the local economy and community. And it is

also good with the regatta, is and it? It is, Henri Lloyd sound of

wheat is one of the largest in the UK and we can expect any think Bob

to 100,000 visitors in the week for an array of coastal activity. So,

yes, a huge benefit. Well, no sign of Brad Pitt yet, if I see anything

you will be the first to know! Plymouth City Council claims 300

extra jobs could be under threat if they fail to agree changes to staff

terms and conditions with unions. The authority says it is reviewing

the details of staff contracts to ensure they reflect the needs of

the organisation. The council says its package of changes is the best

way of achieving savings while avoiding the mass redundancies seen

in some other authorities. The union Unite is prepared to sign up,

but Unison and the GMB are still in talks over the possible loss of

contractual overtime for 200 workers.

Like all councils, Plymouth City has to make significant cuts after

central Government reduced its funding. It needs to make �30

million worth of savings over three years. They hope to save 18 million

from their workforce over that period. So far, that means the loss

of 500 posts. By changing staff contracts they could save �1.5

million to help towards the �18 million total. But if the new terms

are not agreed, the council's Cabinet Member for Finance says it

could mean losing a further 300 jobs.

I have to balance the books at the end of the year. Current cost of

this non implementation is �330,000 already this year, and I will now

be forced, if we cannot get an agreement, to look at alternatives,

which I have to say will be less palatable and could involved a

significant loss of additional jobs with the council.

This is how the contract changes could affect staff. Removing

contractual overtime. Simplifying overtime and shift allowances.

Simplifying travel and other expenses. Changing the standard

working week to include Saturday. This will enable the council to

provide services at weekends without increasing costs. Stuart

Fegan from the GMB union says the sticking point is over the removal

of contractual over time which affects around 200 workers.

The workforce work a certain amount of contractual overtime, work they

are contracted to do outside of normal hours. The council wished to

remove that contractual overtime, remove the work they are doing.

That, in some cases, has a very significant impact on people's

income. The council claims failing to reach

agreement has cost them �330,000 already because they could not

implement these contract changes in April. The unions are still meeting

and discussing the options. A man with dementia from Somerset

has been told he will not have his nursing care paid for by the NHS,

even though a health service assessment said he should. The

nurses who assessed 88-year-old Leslie Tushingham said his needs

were "high", but that was later changed and his application for

funding was refused. As Matthew Hill reports, Age UK says there is

an inconsistency about who is eligible for free nursing care.

Leslie Tushingham is almost blind and cannot understand what is going

on around him. That is you in that play. Since October, the 88-year-

old has been paying �3,000 a month to stay in this nursing home in

Somerset. Very distressed, because you are trying to deal with a

person who is very, very sick and yet, you know, you cannot really

see what the end of the Financial destruction is going to be.

family have applied for the NHS to pay because of the severity of his

dementia, but have just been turned down. Mr Tushingham was recently

assessed by specialist nurses who said his behaviour needs were high,

but that was downgraded by the funding panel. They actually

changed the scoring on the behaviour domain from high to

moderate and said that he poses predictable but challenging, which

is in real contrast to what the experts recommended. The average

family would not know how to go through this process, they would

not know where to start. As a nurse who works for a law firm, his

daughter says she is better able to challenge this decision. NHS

Somerset has refused to be interviewed but in a statement they

point out such applications are reviewed against national

guidelines and, when there is insufficient evidence presented to

demonstrate the recommended level of lead, the panel will identify

this. They are also tried to contact Mr Tushingham's family to

explain the appeals process to them. But the charity Age UK says this

case highlights long-standing inconsistencies with the assessment

process. Already, some people can have waited up to 42 days just for

the decision, said then to expect them to go back and appeal and

potentially go into quite a lengthy period to get back or start getting

funding, we are talking sometimes substantial amounts of money which

people might not need to be paying. His family will now appeal the

decision. They believe they will win, but others without the same

expertise might not be so confident. Still to come in Spotlight tonight:

The young man inspired by his own life story. We will be meeting Nick,

who, after being fostered 57 times and adopted three, says he is ready

to help others through the tough First, though, a subject which

divides opinion. The police are warning drivers

towing caravans to slow down after a spate of accidents in the region.

With more than 100 an hour coming into the South West, there is

concern speed limits are being ignored. Spotlight's Simon

Alexander reports. Taking the caravan on holiday is

proving more popular than ever this summer, with long queues on some of

the major routes. Drivers are being urged to think about their speed.

Speed is an issue, and the weight limit. A lot of people try to pack

everything they can get into the caravan, but unfortunately they are

not loading it correctly which can make the vehicle on a stable.

Caravan owners know they are unpopular with other motorists and

feel it is often other road users have caused the problems. I try to

keep down to under 60 miles an hour, but it is people overtaking that

caused some of the problems because they get too close to the trade a

tent or the caravans, which pours it out of line and started wobbling.

When we are slowing down in go to climb hills, a lot of road users do

not want to get us out because we slowed them doubt. Drivers towing

caravans have certain systems to make their caravan more stable,

like this handle. Police, though, saying it can lead drivers into a

false sense of security when driving at speeds. If we have an

increase in the number of collisions, we want to get the

right messages out to make sure people drive safely, stay below the

speed limit, make sure their vehicles or equipment is packaged

properly, evenly spread, which makes a combination more safe.

Police are hoping of motorists heed the safety advice, it might reduce

accidents and keep the amount of delays down.

Now, an inspiring story of a young man whose determination to improve

his own life has led him to help others. 18-year-old Nick Fidock

faced many struggles during his time in care, but, as Louise

Hubball's been finding out, thanks to help from a youth club in

Cornwall he now wants to train as a youth worker.

I had a hard background, but you get over it, you get used to it.

18-year-old Nick Fidock is determined not to fade into the

background. It has not been easy. He has had 57 foster families in

17.5 years. He has been adopted three times and has been in trouble

with the police. Moving around all the time, being in different foster

homes. It is so hard on your education, your friends, you lose

your friends because you move over the country. But now he is

determined to use his past to help other young people. He has been

inspired by the House youth club. It gets teenagers off the streets,

providing a safe place to hang out, do activities and talk about their

experiences. Music is a massive thing for me. I have learned over

the year how to make music and write lyrics straight off my head.

And with his new-found confidence, Mick now plans to go to university

to train as a new worker. -- a youth worker. I have met so many

people being in care for so long that I can understand how people

feel. At the moment, I feel happy with what I am giving with my life,

and I am just waiting to succeed and two more with the EU's work and

children in care. -- with the youth work.

David will be here with the weather forecast and stats from last month

soon, also still to come: Apparently she didn't want any fuss

- the Plymouth woman who says she is surprised to be celebrating her

105th birthday. It is wonderful, really. I never

expected anything like that in my life, I never thought I would go as

We always seem to think that the cost of everything is going up, but

what about the cost of going to a football match? The BBC has

conducted a survey into the cost of going to a game, and our clubs come

up as some of the cheapest around. Our sports reporter Brent Pilnick

is here to explain more. How do our clubs fare in the price lead?

Well, Justin, I know you're a man who likes to manage his pennies.

You will be pleased to know that our sides do pretty well, actually.

The BBC's survey looked at the cost of the cheapest ticket on the gate

and added that to the cost of a programme, a pie and a cup of tea.

Our most expensive side is the one in the highest league, Exeter City.

The cheapest day out at St James Park is �24.30, �8 more than the

cheapest club in the league, Rochdale. But there is much better

news for fans of League Two sides Torquay United and Plymouth Argyle.

The Gulls are the second cheapest in League Two, with a day out

But what do fans of the clubs think of the cost of a ticket? A thing

the prices are reasonable. We play good football, a great atmosphere,

so we think it is good value for money. Good value for money, we

enjoy it and it is an entertaining afternoon out. It is comparable

with other clubs in this division, set to live.

And what about the cost of a cup of tea? The price of a cup of tea

could be cheaper, but when you are catering to a lot of people it is

good to make some money. I don't buy tea, I buy Coke, but it is

reasonable. I don't drink tea at a football ground, but I know others

who do, and it is not cheap. So who is the most expensive?

The top price for a day out in both League One and Two is �27.80, at

Leyton Orient and Bradford City respectively. In the Premier League,

more than half of the club's charge more than �30. But at Plainmoor, in

the South West, a cup of tea is just �1! But that is nothing

A fisherman from South Devon has been describing the moment he came

face-to-face with a rare shark. Jim Millar had been fishing without any

success for more than three hours off Dartmouth when he spotted a fin

emerge from the water. As he explains, it soon became clear what

it was. We were fishing about three-and-a-

half hours and me and my make John saw this thin come out of the water

so we went over to it and I rushed out to get my camera as quick as

possible and we filmed a thresher possible and we filmed a thresher

shark feeding just off the coast, which is very rare. We have never

seen it and we have been going out into those waters for about 10

years now. Never seen anything like it. It was amazing to see it. It is

called the East Bank, where people go Basque fishing. It was out

standing just to see it. I should think it is about 15 ft, with

detail, because when the tale comes out it is very high. With that, it

is probably much longer, but the body I reckon is about 15 feet. It

is not the sort of thing you want to bring on your boat or want on

the end of your Hawkeye. I was not worried. I had a girly moment when

my friend was trying to entice it closer to the boat and I told him,

in no uncertain terms, stop! I was quite happy to see it as it was!

But, yes, it was good, a very good day. He will be telling that story

Now we are all being told that we are living longer these days, but

imagine reaching the grand old age of 105!

You will still be here, Justin! To bring the show?! Probably!

Spotlight's Amy Cole has been to meet a woman from Plymouth who has

just celebrated that milestone with another telegram from the Queen!

A better day to remember, and she's still recovering from the

celebrations. The cleaning lady gave me that the stock that was

nice of her, lovely. Queenie Bartlett has just turned 105 and

she is thrilled to have received another telegram from that other

well-known Queen. It is beautiful, a beautiful picture of the Queen.

It is really lovely. You are about 20 years older than her! Pardon?

You are so much older than the Queen! Yes! I never expected

anything like that in my life, I never thought I would go as long as

that! During her life, she has seen a few things. A memory that has not

worked out -- not warned that is her time during the Plymouth Bridge.

Shocking, it was. We are used to have to grab all of our clothes and

rushed to the Underground. It was very frightening. My mother and all

of her papers and money and everything. There was one funny

thing about it, she had one of these old fashioned mangles and she

said, I will put my papers and my book and did that card, that piece

of wood, and it will be safe. It got blown to bits! We lost it all,

my birth certificate and everything. After living through two World Wars

and more than a century of change, one can only imagine how proud

Queenie's mother would be. I have a pilot as well as that at

If I am still here doing this at 105, I hope I am as good as Queenie.

So do we! Let's go to the weather forecast

with some statistics from last month.

We know we had a dry spring and a lot of wet weather in June, but in

July we had some rain that has helped top things up. It was not

the wettest month in the last few years in terms of midsummer

rainfall, but let's start with a On the left-hand side is the

average rainfall we expect for the month of July, on the right is what

we saw, quite a bit down. When you look at the sunshine, that was also

down. Quite a sunny month, July, we should have had around 230 hours,

but 170 is what we saw this year. The temperatures, we had some cold

nights during the month of July, but excellent being close to the

sea was about average. -- Exmouth being close to the sea. This is the

one I am sure most people are interested in, water levels in our

reservoirs. On the left, the amount this time last year, 72.3% full. On

the right hand side, what we have now, just under 61% full, not a

great deal of difference despite the dry weather and there is some

rain in the forecast over the next few days to stop those reservoirs

Let's have a look at the detail overnight and for the rest of this

week. It turns more unsettled, more persistent rain turning them,

especially Wednesday night in to their state. At the moment, though,

strands of cloud giving a few showers this evening, but most

activity is out here where an area of low pressure will develop over

the next few days. We have some high-pressure, giving some highly -

- some showers this evening. By lunchtime on Thursday we have an

active system moving through, quite heavy rain early on Thursday. But a

fresher, cooler feel towards the end of the week. This was the

picture today, some sunshine here and there. Damage our cameraman was

out enjoying some lovely weather by the River Ex. A lovely day to

paddle on the water, the sunshine has upped and a few people allowed

to enjoy the views on the riverside. A lovely way to spend an afternoon.

The sunshine has been out today and will be out tomorrow, but after

tomorrow we have the change in the winter, more unsettled, a breeze, a

fresher feel to the air and some rain in the forecast. Some showers

possible tonight, but not many, the main problem will be mist and fog

forming by the morning and temperatures down to as low as 13

from 14, so quite a muggy night again. Tomorrow, some sunshine, but

waited out to the west of Cornwall is a line of patchy rain which will

creep in through the course of the day. Not huge abounds of wet

weather, but the further east you are the drier and warmer it will be.

Forecast for the Isles of Scilly, a bright start, but quickly turning

wet with the breeze picking up from This is the wet weather and engine,

the early hours of Thursday morning to be quite wet for a time. Have a