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NEWS

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NEWS

THE SENTINEL Monday April 23, 2012

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS

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Coalition split on Lords A TORY government would not be pressing ahead with reform of the House of Lords in this parliament, Ken Clarke has admitted. The Justice Secretary, pictured, hinted at tensions in the coalition amid reports at least six Cabinet ministers would prefer to see the changes delayed. Philip Hammond, Iain Duncan Smith, Michael Gove, Eric Pickles, Owen Paterson and Lord Strathclyde are said to be among Conservatives who have voiced doubts.

Train crash investigated A 68-YEAR-OLD woman has died of injuries she sustained when two trains collided head-on in Amsterdam, injuring scores of passengers. She died yesterday, a day after the crash. Sixteen other people seriously injured in the crash remained in hospital last night. A Dutch rail official described the collision on Saturday as one of the worst in the Netherlands’ recent history. Investigators are trying to work out the cause of the collision.

Briton killed in hotel fall A BRITISH tourist has died after falling from a balcony – the second Briton to die at the same resort in three days. Benjamin Harper, aged 28, from Twickenham, fell to his death at the four-star Sol Antillas hotel in Magaluf, Majorca, on Friday. It is believed Mr Harper had gone out on to the balcony for a cigarette before falling to his death while on a stag do. His death came three days after another Briton, Adam Atkinson, aged 20, of West Yorkshire, died in the resort after reportedly falling down stairs.

Woman dies in marathon A 30-YEAR-OLD woman collapsed and died while running in the London Marathon, organisers said last night. She collapsed at Birdcage Walk, near St James’ Park, on the final stretch of the 26.2 mile course. The woman was given medical attention at the scene. A statement on the London Marathon website said: “We would like to emphasise that our immediate concern is for the family of the deceased. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with them at this difficult time.� Marathon effort: See Page 16

‘Help us save our community beds’ BY DAVE BLACKHURST dave.blackhurst@thesentinel.co.uk

DOZENS of beds, a community care centre and two day hospitals all face closure under a new wave of NHS cuts to mental health services. Combined Healthcare’s widesweeping reforms involve wiping out North Staffordshire’s entire network of community beds. Instead patients will either be treated at the main Harplands psychiatric hospital or at home. The changes involve shutting Bennett mental health resource centre in Shelton, together with day hospitals Hazlehurst House, in Hartshill, and either Weaver House, Cheadle or Newcastle’s Maple House. A total of 24 beds are under threat at Bennett, the Ashcombe centre, in Cheddleton, and Lymebrook, in Bradwell. The last two would retain their day and non bed-based services. Patients, carers and campaigners today vowed to fight the shake-up “all the way�. They fear the move will turn the clock back decades to when people were treated in full-scale hospitals where they would be

shire Users Group, which speaks for hundreds of patients, was one of the organisations consulted by Combined before the plan was unveiled. Co-ordinator Lorien Barber said: “We challenged the proposals at that time but it seems our concerns were not considered. “These changes are driven by the need to cut costs. They will reduce choice and make the service less patient centred, as well as increasing pressure on the Harplands beds.� Ian Syme, pictured, co-ordinator of campaign group Healthwatch, said: “If we lose this highly-valued service, are they considering putting up marquees in the Harplands grounds to see all the extra people who will need treatment? “The problem with home care is people’s problems are often made worse by home circumstances so that is the last place they want to be seen. “It will return us to when people were treated in an institution.� Jenny Harvey, secretary of the trust’s branch of Unison, said: “We have concerns both for the service and implications for the staff which we will raise in consultations with management.�

Would the changes affect you?

Email us at letters@thesentinel.co.uk

WEDNESDAY

Dull and breezy with rain spreading in, this turning heavy later. max 11C (52F) min 4C (39F)

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THURSDAY

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BEDS FIGHT: Our story from Monday.

Yesterday’s weather

Outlook

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Generally cloudy with the chance of a few passing showers. max 12C (54F)

min 6C (43F)

FRIDAY

The region tonight

ÂŁ1.4m refurb at swimming pool A POPULAR swimming pool is set to undergo a major refurbishment. The Sentinel revealed last year that Nantwich Swimming Pool was in line for a ÂŁ1.4 million transfor mation. Now Cheshire East Council, which runs the facility in Wall Lane, has submitted detailed plans for the work. The scheme involves demolishing the outdoor changing rooms and replacing them with a “new unisex changing villageâ€?. There will also be improvements to the entrance and reception area to create new meeting facilities and a new area for exercise and gym equipment will be built. The council’s design and access statement says: “All of these extensions and renovations will receive new, flat roofs to minimise the impact on the appearance of the pool.â€? The council is now asking residents to submit their views on the plans before a deadline passes on May 16. A decision will be made after that date.

Information supplied by

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exposed to others experiencing more severe mental illness. Combined, which will launch a 12week consultation next month, claims the reforms are needed to bring the service in line with national policy and to save money. It says care would be more “patient centred� allowing people to “engage in their own recovery�. A paper, by nursing director David Pearson to go to a trust board meeting on Thursday, says: “There will be less dependency on bed-based care, improved recovery, care closer to home and more choice of communitybased services designed to maximise independence.� Eight community beds at the Sutherland, in Longton, were lost last year despite mass protests. Phil Leese, aged 62, from Longton, who has been treated for psychosis under day service at the Bennett for 10 years, said: “This will be fought every step of the way. The staff have been brilliant and it is these services which have stopped many people having to be admitted to Harplands. “They are now terrified that will happen so the proposals will face huge opposition.� Hanley-based charity the North Stafford-

The region tomorrow

A generally cloudy night is expected with patchy light rain and drizzle. Possibly drier for a time further west. There will be gentle north-westerly winds. Min temp 2-5C (36-41F).

Overnight rain will continue throughout much of the day and will become fairly heavy and persistent at times. Gentle to moderate north-westerly winds. Max temp 8-11C (46-52F).

Sunny spells and heavy showers. A risk of a few rumbles of thunder. max 14C (57F) min 5C (41F)

Shwrs 9 Shwrs 11 Fair 10 Cloudy 11 Shwrs 9 Shwrs 10 Shwrs 9 Hail 10 Fair 8 Fair 12 Shwrs 10 Shwrs 10

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Athens Barcelona Cape Town Istanbul Malaga Moscow New Delhi New York Paris Stockholm Sydney Tenerife

Sunny 19 Sunny 19 Fair 21 Shwrs 15 Sunny 25 Fair 18 Fair 32 Cloudy 21 Shwrs 11 Sunny 6 Fair 22 Drizzle 21

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66 66 70 59 77 64 90 70 52 43 72 70

For the latest weather forecast for Stoke, call:

Sun and moon Sunrise 5.49am Moonrise 6.00am

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Belfast Birmingham Blackpool Brighton Cardiff Edinburgh Glasgow Jersey Leeds London Manchester Newcastle

Sunset Moonset

8.17pm 9.57pm

Lighting up times 8.47pm to 5.17am

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A CHARITY has had its contract renewed to help young people tackle drink and drug addiction in North Staffordshire. Brighton-based Crime Reduction Initiatives has been running community services to rehabilitate addicts in the county for four-and-a-half years. Its successful bid has allowed it to launch a new scheme this month to recruit peers to mentor addicts. People over 16 who have already used CRI’s services will be trained to act as “buddiesâ€? to youngsters still in treatment. The mentors will receive a national qualification. A new volunteering programme is also being launched. CRI already provides an adult community drug service in Stoke-on-Trent, where it runs the Lock centre in Etruria and drop-in centres in Hanley, Bentilee and Meir. It took over from NHS mental health trust Combined Healthcare after being awarded a ÂŁ2.23 million contract by the primary care trust in 2009. County council spokesman Alison Perry said: “CRI’s services have been crucial in enabling young people and adults in Staffordshire to transform their lives.â€?

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In brief

STOKE-ON-TRENT: A support worker who looks after patients with dementia has won an Unsung Hero award from her NHS bosses. Glenys Bithell took the plaudit at the annual prizegiving ceremony of her employers, Combined Healthcare, at the Moat House Hotel, Etruria. She works on the complex needs ward at Bucknall Hospital concentrating on patients with dementia. The citation on her trophy reads: “Her unconditional commitment to delivering person-centred care is outstanding. “Glenys always has a smile and a consistent determination to offer the best possible care to our patient. “She is calm in the face of aggression, offers reassurance and interventions to soothe or distract patients.�

EXIT: Sarah Hill has decided to stand down as a councillor after her failed bid for the leadership of the Labour group.

BY ALEX CAMPBELL

SACKED city council finance chief Sarah Hill has resigned as a councillor after being stripped of her cabinet position. Mrs Hill quit the Labour group and city council after The Sentinel revealed she and councillor Debra Gratton had lost their cabinet roles – though Mrs Gratton says this is because she decided not to apply for a cabinet position. Mrs Hill mounted a leadership challenge to Mohammed Pervez at the first part of the Labour group’s AGM last week, and was promptly relieved of her cabinet duties at a private group meeting on Monday. Mrs Hill did not attend the meeting and tendered her resignation yesterday, stating she would not consider serving as an independent or for any other party. It means the council will hold a by-election in Springfields and Trent Vale to elect a replacement. Aiming a parting shot at the leadership, Mrs Hill criticised Mr Pervez for maintaining a full-time job as well as the £44,000-a-year leader’s role. She also blasted the

LAID TO REST: The funeral of Bernard Wragg takes place tomorrow.

FRIENDS and relatives of a community champion will gather to pay their last respects to him tomorrow. Bernard Wragg, chairman of Cobridge Residents’ Action Group, died on April 3 after a short stay in hospital. The father-of-five, of Elm Street, Cobridge, earned the nickname ‘Mr Cobridge’ following a 20-year effort to restore the image of his community against a backdrop of anti-social behaviour problems. He will be laid to rest in Burslem Cemetery following a funeral service at Christ Church, Cobridge, at 1.30pm. His family have requested donations are made in his memory to the cancer centre at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire. Mr Wragg had been battling stomach cancer when he was taken ill on his 68th birthday last month.

OH, BABY: Parents are being urged to stop using disposable nappies on their babies. Waste minimisation officers from the Staffordshire Recycling Partnership handed out real nappy trial kits at the Jubilee2

centre in Newcastle yesterday. The event was part of National Real Nappy Week, which runs until Sunday. Go Real, the social enterprise behind Real Nappy Week, says that real nappies work out

“It’s an important issue because of the amount of disposable nappies that end up in the bin.� Waste minimisation officer Emma Ray is pictured with some of the real nappies. Picture: Alex Severn

Leader holds on to top spot at council BY ALEX CAMPBELL alex.campbell@thesentinel.co.uk

LABOUR group and city council chief Mohammed Pervez has fought off a shock leadership challenge from his head of finance. The Moorcroft councillor secured a third year as Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader at the ruling Labour group’s AGM, defeating councillor Sarah Hill in a secret ballot at a tense three-hour meeting. Mrs Hill, a former council officer and current cabinet member for finance, challenged Mr Pervez’s leadership at the private meeting, but is understood to have won only a handful of votes from the 34strong group. It follows behind-the-scenes speculation about Mr Pervez’s future as leader in the wake of the authority’s ÂŁ24 million budget cuts for 2012/13. Councillor Paul Shotton was elected unopposed to his current role as deputy leader. In a speech to councillors, Mr Pervez praised the group as a “diverse, talented and united team.â€? He said: “In spite of the Gover nment’s cuts we are seeing jobs being created at great companies like Steelite, investment in manufacturing through Longton Avia Trucks and groundbreaking research through international leaders like

Ceram. These companies are recognising the part the city council has played in their progress. “I am grateful to my colleagues for their faith and support and will continue to work hard for our city.â€? Mrs Hill, who represents Springfields and Trent Vale, was unavailable for comment after last night’s vote. Mr Pervez took over as council leader after huge Labour gains in elections held in May 2010, displacing Conservative and Independent Alliance leader Ross Irving. Labour has held 34 of 44 seats on the council since all-out elections last May, giving the group an unassailable advantage in votes on council policy. But ongoing disputes with trade unions and budget cuts to care and children’s services have led to backbench unrest. Councillor Tom Reynolds, who represents Broadway and Longton East, was reelected as group chairman. He said: “It has been a difficult job and the challenges will only continue so I think he is well placed to lead the group.â€? Members also deferred until next week a crucial decision on how they will vote on businessman Keith Ryder’s takeover of Port Vale, which will result in a net loss of ÂŁ1.4 million to the council. A final decision will be made at a full council meeting on April 25. BATTLE: Sarah Hill challenged the leadership of Mohammed Pervez.

Do you remember the Queen’s royal visits? Share your stories with us for the Diamond Jubilee... Email featuresdesk@thesentinel .co.uk, including your contact details

Plus: Your special Jubilee pullout in The Sentinel on May 29

RIVAL: Mohammed Pervez.

cheaper and are better for the environment. A spokesman for Newcastle Borough Council said: “We’re trying to encourage parents in the borough to try out real nappies.

Finance officer’s challenge for title wins few votes

What do you think about the challenge to Mohammed Pervez’s leadership? Email us at letters@thesentinel.co.uk

FENTON: Two people were injured and three vehicles damaged following an accident on the southbound side of the A500 at Hanford in December last year. Ronald Wakelin, aged 58, of Pine Road, Fenton, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention on December 14. North Staffordshire Magistrates fined him ÂŁ465 with ÂŁ60 costs and a ÂŁ15 victim surcharge. ECCLESHALL: The Eccleshall Singers will hold its annual general meeting at Eccleshall Methodist Church on Tuesday, April 24, starting at 7.30pm when the club's officers will be elected. The club, which has 32 members, is always looking for new members.

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DRAMA: Our story on Sarah Hill’s challenge for the leadership.

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Labour group’s policy of asking press officers to speak for cabinet members on non-political issues. Mrs Hill said: “I had just had enough. I was never going to be able to work with Mohammed Pervez and felt if I was on the back benches I would be poison and it better that I leave. “I always felt we should have a full-time leader and I had issues with the way we communicate with the press. I think I’m good at telling it as it is, whether it’s good or bad. “Colleagues have said ‘what did you expect’ and I understand what Pervez did, but he didn’t have to do it. Maybe a stronger leader would have managed it differently. “I do disagree with things, I do have other viewpoints and I do challenge things. “The cabinet does need that and I think they will miss me more than I will miss them.� Mrs Hill’s son Matthew, aged 31, died last year after taking party drug M-Cat. She said the responsibility of balancing

groups of at least eight to be practically effective and cost efficient. It means the force, which is saving almost ÂŁ40 million over four years, is likely to wait until numbers fall even further before attempting to sign up civilian staff. The number of police officers employed by the force is also falling because of forced retirements and the recruitment freeze. It currently has 1,951 officers, a reduction of 268 since October 2009.

What do you think? Email us at letters@thesentinel.co.uk Mike Wolfe: Page 10

BARTHOMLEY: Both lanes of the A500 were closed following a collision between a lorry and a van last night. The crash happened between junction 16 of the M6 and the A5020 Old Park Road shortly before 7pm. It was not clear if anyone was injured when The Sentinel went to print.

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POLICE civilian staff could be asked to sign up as PCSOs to boost numbers. Staffordshire Police have frozen recruitment as part of their budget cuts but could look to recruit PCSOs internally as more have left the force than expected. The number of PCSOs has fallen to 209, which is 20 less than budgeted, because replacements have not been recruited for those leaving their posts. Training for PCSOs has to be delivered to

Trent before being elected in 2010, and held key cabinet positions overseeing service transformation and, later, finance. Mr Pervez said last night: “The Labour Group is a talented and united team of people who care passionately about our city and will continue to deliver the progress we have already started. “I would like to thank Sarah Hill for her contribution to the council over the last two years.�

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Police staff targeted to boost PCSOs

the council’s books through ÂŁ35.6 million budget cuts has helped her cope with her loss. She said: “It has kept me sane; it kept me so busy I didn’t have chance to think about things. “Everybody goes into politics to make a difference and I didn’t think I was doing that. “I will look for other ways to do that. I don’t want to work 60 hours a week anymore.â€? Mrs Hill, a former social worker, rose to become Stokeon-Trent City Council’s assistant director of social services before leaving to work as a lecturer in 2006. She served as the Labour group’s chairman in Stoke-on-

HANLEY: The North Staffordshire branch of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) will stage a Workers’ Memorial Day as part of a national day of action this Saturday. The event will take place at the Workers’ Memorial Tree outside the Potteries Museum, in Bethesda Street, Hanley, from 11.45am. There will be a minute’s silence at noon followed by speeches.

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A SHAKE-UP of mental health community services leading to the closure of dozens of beds will go under the spotlight tomorrow. Combined Healthcare trust wants to shut all beds in North Staffordshire’s three mental health resource centres. They are Bennett in Shelton, Ashcombe in Cheddleton and Lymebrook in Bradwell. The plans also include the complete closure of Bennett although day services will remain at the other two locations. Elderly care day hospitals at Hazlehurst House, Hartshill, and either Weaver House, Cheadle, or Newcastle’s Maple House will go. A public meeting to discuss the plans will be held in the Oak Room at Bucknall Hospital at 10am. Directors will decide whether the cashsaving programme is ready to go out for 12 weeks of public consultation from May 8.

THE SENTINEL Tuesday April 17, 2012

Drink and drug addicts to get ‘buddies’ help

Funeral held for ‘Mr Cobridge’

Mental health under spotlight

National Lottery

Saturday’s Lottery numbers: 25, 41, 10, 34, 47 and 23. The bonus ball was 30. Thunderball draw: 08, 21, 13, 06 and 18. The Thunderball was: 05. Yesterday’s Lotto Plus 5: 14, 21, 28, 39, 40 and 44. The bonus ball was: 26.

Weather

UNDER THREAT: Clockwise from left, the Bennett centre, in Shelton, the Ashcombe centre, in Cheddleton, and the Lyme Brook centre, at Bradwell Hospital.

POLICE say a campaign against anti-social behaviour at a park has been a success. Officers conducted highvisibility patrols at Chesterton Memorial Park on Friday nights from 5pm to 11pm throughout February and last month to deal with recent problems. A police spokesman said: “Since the initiative was implemented we have confiscated alcohol from underage drinkers and have returned several youths home to their parents. “We have noticed a significant decrease in incidents and we will continue to monitor the situation.â€? The crackdown came after youths persistently caused damage to the park’s new ÂŁ250,000 pavilion during the hours of darkness. The multi-purpose building was built in 2010 after the original pavilion was pulled down four years earlier following an arson attack. Residents will be updated on the campaign at a police meeting at Chesterton Primary School, in Brittain Avenue, on Thursday, May 10 from 2.30pm to 3.30pm.

Finance chief fires parting shot in council resignation alex.campbell@thesentinel.co.uk

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NHS reforms will see day centres closed down Park campaign

BENTILEE: Drink-driver Jerzy Bielecki was banned from the road for 25 months by magistrates. The defendant, a Polish national, aged 56, of Calvary Crescent, Bentilee, was nearly three times over the limit on April 9. Bielecki pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol and failing to stop after a road accident. He gave a reading of 98mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath against a legal limit of 35mg. He was also fined ÂŁ550 with ÂŁ85 costs and a ÂŁ15 victim surcharge.

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‘Members will miss me more than I will miss them’

NEWCASTLE: Andrew Fonad has appeared in court to admit offences of disqualified driving, driving with no insurance and possession of cannabis at Newcastle on March 23 North Staffordshire magistrates yesterday heard the 26-year-old had been handed a nine-month prison sentence suspended for two years at crown court for cultivating cannabis. Magistrates decided the new matters should go before a judge. The defendant, of Shrewsbury Drive, Newcastle, had his case committed to Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court where he will appear on a date to be fixed.

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MORE than ÂŁ400,000 could be spent on a pioneering project to help more disabled residents enjoy the city’s green spots. Stoke-on-Trent City Council has finalised a bid for ÂŁ300,000 in Big Lottery Funding to kick-start the scheme, which would be among the first of its kind in the country. If successful, the ÂŁ300,000 funding would be topped up with up to ÂŁ60,000 from NHS Stoke-on-Trent and ÂŁ40,000 from the council’s own disability access budget. Ideas so far include: â– Specialist cycle hire facilities with both standard equipment and bikes for disabled people; â– Guided walks around parks and beauty spots for disabled visitors; â– Specially-designed nature trails, adapted for disabled visitors and people with learning disabilities. A report to cabinet members, who are due to approve the bid on Thursday, states: “Stoke-on-Trent’s informally laid-out green spaces are not well used by people with disabilities. “Disabled people tend to be overweight and may be more prone to weight-related illness such as diabetes, heart disease as well as poor emotional well-being.â€?

In brief

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ÂŁ300k bid to open up parks to disabled

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THE SENTINEL Wednesday April 25, 2012

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