20 CITY SCHOOLS FACE LOSING REVAMP CASH

A MULTI-million pound scheme to improve secondary schools in Coventry could be under threat.

The Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme was introduced by the previous Labour government and aimed to improve secondary schools across the country.

In Coventry 20 secondary schools were up for getting a slice of £330million that was awarded to the city.

But Tory MP Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education, said the BSF scheme is under review, which has caused concern to Coventry MP Geoffrey Robinson.

The Labour representative for Coventry North West, has highlighted two schools that desperately need funding in his constituency and raised this at a House of Commons education question time on Monday.

He said: “I asked: Will the minister confirm as soon as possible that two schools in my constituency – President Kennedy and Woodlands, where the buildings go right back to the late 1960s and early 1970s, and one of whose buildings is being held up on all four sides by scaffolding, will figure in the programme, and when can he confirm that to them?

“He replied the BSF project had been allocated on the basis of deprivation, not of the state or
dilapidation of the building and he will consider the two schools I mentioned and write back to me.

“So I guess I will have to wait to see what his response is.

“I don’t mind it (BSF) being reviewed but there needs to be structure and this is what concerns me.”

In a Hansard report of Monday’s question time, MP Michael Gove said he wanted to get “better value for money” as a lot had already been spent on consultations that haven’t resulted in schools being re-built yet.

He said: “My department is currently reviewing the BSF programme to ensure we can build schools more effectively and more cost-efficiently in the future.

“I intend to ensure we prioritise capital spending to ensure in areas of real need, the taxpayer and teachers are given better value for money.

“Under the last government a significant amount of the cash was devoted to BSF and was spent on consultancy and other costs, which did not contribute directly to raising standards or to employing a single builder or plasterer, or anyone else whom he would no doubt wish to continue to see employed.

“I therefore hope we do everything possible to ensure that we obtain better value for money from this programme.”

Woodlands School, in Broad Lane – which has one of its school blocks supported by scaffolding – was due to be one of the first schools in Coventry benefiting from BSF funding.

But headteacher Neil Charlton is worried the money could be lost.

“We have had scaffolding on one of the blocks for four years now, but I’d like to add that the school is structurally safe,” he said.

“Having said that, because we are an old building it needs improving – it’s an eyesore because it is more than 50 years’ old and doesn’t have double glazing.

“In the past four years I have personally put in hundreds of hours in meetings and proposals with this.

“Because the school is a listed building we’ve had to convince English Heritage that we should be able to modify it.

“And we should be getting £20.5million in BSF funding to re-build one block and re-design the other two.

“My school needs doing and it needs doing now, otherwise the fabric and quality of education to children will be detrimental.

“I can understand the BSF scheme may need to be reviewed, but I think schools like this one, which has gone so far down the road – we’ve even got planning permission – should be given the go-ahead.

“We’re down to two bidders at the moment, who would carry out the work, that is likely to start next February.”

No one from President Kennedy School was available for comment.

What do you think? Write to us or email timesletters@mrn.co.uk.

100 CYCLISTS NEEDED FOR GIANT LADY GODIVA

PEDAL power will be needed to push a 10-metre high Lady Godiva float from Coventry to London for the opening of the London 2012 Olympics.

Coventry’s Imagineer Productions has created a giant version of the city’s first lady through a project called the ‘Godiva Awakes Cycle Team’.

A team of 50 cyclists will be needed to transport Lady Godiva from Coventry to Rugby, Northampton, Milton Keynes, Luton, Waltham Abbey, Hapfield and finally London in July 2012.

The £500,000 project has been funded by the Arts Council England and is being commissioned through Artists Taking the Lead scheme – part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

The journey will begin in Coventry’s University Square where a giant chamber will be built, which Lady Godiva awakes from. It will be marked by a performance involving 2,000 dancers, actors, aerialists, musicians, pyrotechnicians and carnivalists.

The chamber will then remain permanently.

And to kick-off the project a recruitment drive for cyclists took place on Saturday at the Transport Museum.

In all, 100 people are needed to alternate during the 100-mile journey to the capital city that will alternate between locations.

On Saturday people were invited to cycle for three minutes and have their name entered into a draw for places on the cycle team.

Claire Maddocks, director of Imagineer Productions, said: “Godiva Awakes is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people off all backgrounds from Coventry and the region to be part of London 2012.

“We want everyone – from people who have never cycled before to real cycling enthusiasts – to sign up to be part of the team that will power Godiva to London in 2012.”

About 100 people joined in at the launch event on Saturday and postcards will soon be available for cyclists to enter their name into the draw.

Entrants should be aged 14 or over –families can enter with parents taking responsibility of children under 14 – with the results being announced in autumn 2010.

For more information visit www.imagineerproductions.co.uk.

CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL TABACCO

MORE than 115,000 counterfeit or smuggled cigarettes have been seized over the past year, in a crackdown on illegal tobacco across the city.

Trading standards officers have been carrying out regular raids on shops and car boot sales in Coventry, as part of a concerted effort to stamp out sources of illegal tobacco.

In the past month, raids have uncovered around 37,000 illegal cigarettes, as well as 400 packs of hand-rolling tobacco, and 150 sachets of fruit tobacco – which is often smoked in Shisha pipes.

Officers have also unearthed stashes of illegal tobacco hidden underneath floorboards, behind mirrors, and even in adjacent premises where a person passes the tobacco through a small hole in the wall.

Hamish Simmonds, manager of the city council’s Trading Standards office, said: “Despite fraudsters attempting to become more creative in their attempts to conceal their activities, we are achieving significant rates of detection.

“Those tempted to make a quick buck are warned the penalties for supplying such items are severe, and can include up to 10 years’ imprisonment.”

Trading Standards said that tell-tale signs tobacco is counterfeit include: an unusual taste, a cheaper price, poor quality printing on the packets, and the absence of health warnings.

They also said that many products found often contain dangerously high levels of poisonous ingredients – such as six times the amount of lead, and three times the amount of arsenic found in ordinary cigarettes.

Councillor Joseph Clifford, chairman of Coventry’s Smokefree Alliance, said: “It’s important to remember that it’s not just illicit tobacco which can endanger your health – there is no such thing as a safe cigarette.

“If you want help to quit, you can locate your nearest Stop Smoking Service by calling 0800 051 1310.”

Anyone with information about where counterfeit cigarettes or tobacco may be being sold, should contact Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

WORLD CUP LOUTS WARNED TO BE ON BEST BEHAVIOUR

FOOTBALL louts are being warned to be on their best behaviour as Coventry Police is appealing to landlords, supermarkets and community shop bosses to back the World Cup bid.

Officers have written to licensees to remind them of their responsibility as England strive for glory in South Africa, so they play their part in ensuring a trouble-free tournament.

Chief Inspector Ryan Howat, heading the police handling of the World Cup in Coventry, said: “Our licensing team will be working closely with licensed and off-licensed premises during the World Cup.

“We hope the tournament will prove to be a good opportunity for our communities to come
together and get behind the England team in a positive way.

“The nature of football is that it is an emotional game, and as such we are prepared for the possibility of fans becoming tense and agitated.

“Across the West Midlands, there have been sporadic outbreaks of trouble where major England games have been shown before, but as a region our fans are increasingly heeding the message.

“We want people to enjoy the games in a safe environment with, hopefully, England going all the way.

“If they can’t and allow themselves to become involved in disorder either through drink or a misplaced sense of patriotism, then they can expect to be prosecuted.”

Councillor Jack Harrison, chairman of Coventry City Council’s licensing and regulatory committee, added: “The key issue for us is that premises showing the World Cup do so in a safe
and responsible way while not ruining the enjoyment of their customers and the wider public.

“Bars showing the big games have been asked to ensure they have enough identifiable door staff and that their CCTV is working.”

The force is working with the Coventry Community Safety Partnership and will be distributing posters and beer mats to licensed premises across the city bearing the message ‘Not in My City’.

They encourage people to report aggressive and violent behaviour during the World Cup.

TIME CAPSULE TO BE BURIED IN DEVELOPMENT SITE

A TIME capsule giving a snapshot of Wood End in 2010 will be buried on site of a £360million redevelopment scheme.

Yesterday (Wednesday) the head of the Homes and Communities Agency Sir Bob Kerslake was due to visit Coventry to see first hand how the project has been coming along.

And the chief executive of England’s housing and regeneration agency was also due to help with the finishing touches to a time capsule that will be buried on site.

The capsule will demonstrate to future generations what life was like before the redevelopment took place and includes photographs of the site as it looks now, pictures of some of the oldest and youngest members of the community, press coverage on the project so far, coins, details of the current government and the price of living, such as a pint of beer, petrol, milk and bread.

Sir Bob also visited the location of the new Castle Wood School, due to open its doors in September 2010.

In total, the redevelopment of the area will see more than 3,000 new homes built over 15 years. Work will also take place to improve environment, including the construction of new roads, shops, green spaces and play areas.

The project is being led by Whitefriars Housing Group, in partnership with Coventry City Council, Coventry New Deal for Communities and developer partners.

Martin Smith, chairman of the Regeneration Action Team, said: “Residents have been closely involved in the plans since the beginning. We have taken part in everything from selecting the developers and architects to choosing the designs for the homes and neighbourhoods.

“The start of work on June 9 will be a day of real celebration for us, and the fact that Sir Bob Kerslake is visiting us, showing us that the Homes and Communities Agency is both interested and committed to our regeneration and redevelopment scheme, is just the icing on the cake.”

SPEND YOUR £20 BEFORE THEY GO OUT OF DATE

COVENTRY spenders are being warned the clock is ticking to spend old £20 notes.

The Bank of England is reminding residents from June 30 the £20 note carrying a picture of composer Edward Elgar is to be finally withdrawn from circulation.

It will be replaced by £20 note that was introduced in 2007 that bears the picture of economist Adam Smith.

The number of Elgar notes in circulation has already decreased significantly since the withdrawal date was announced in March, but people are being reminded to have a final check at home for the old notes, which can be paid into a personal bank account or used as a cash payment over the coming month.

After June 30 the Elgar note will no longer have ‘legal tender’ status. It is less likely to be accepted in payment, or in change, in retail outlets after this date.

For more information visit www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes.

TRIBUTES PAID TO CRASH DUO

A COVENTRY flying club has paid tribute to a father and son who died in a plane crash in Spain.

Former RAF man Bruce Hook, 63, and his son Ian, 26, died on Saturday shortly after taking off from San Luis aerodrome in Menorca.

It is thought the plane had just taken off when it nosedived, crashed and exploded, killing the pair instantly.

Mr Hook Snr, who lived in Worcester, was flying his own plane – a Beech Baron 55 in RAF colours – when the accident happened.

He was a member of the Armstong Whitworth Aircraft (AWA) Flying Group, in Coventry Road, Baginton, who said he was an “excellent pilot”.

John Stockley, AWA’s chief flying instructor said: “Bruce was a real gentleman who helped students through their flying courses.

“Everybody was shocked by the loss and it’s a real tragedy.”

Mr Hook and his son had entered a Beech Baron twin engine plane in the Air Race Menorca 2010 and were practicing when their plane nose dived and exploded.

Mr Stockley said the planes had to complete between 15 to 20 laps of a triangular aerial course.

The winner would have been the first plane to cross the finish line, but the competition was cancelled following the deaths.

Mr Hook, a father-of-two, had owned the Willpower Garage in Lapworth, Warwickshire, for 32 years.

Ian Hook, of Kenilworth, who was unmarried but had a girlfriend, was described as “the apple of his father’s eye” by a friend of Mr Hook Snr.

Stephen Esslemont, 44, who rents the garage forecourt in Lapworth, said: “He (Mr Hook senior) was well known in the community and everyone liked him. What’s happened is a shock to us all.

“He was a very quiet young man – kind and well-liked, like his father. A lovely young man. He adored his father and they had a good father and son relationship.”

A friend of Ian’s said: “I, along with many of Ian’s friends, are absolutely gutted and shocked at the news of the plane crash that has robbed us of Ian and Bruce. They loved their flying together.

“Ian was such a lovely guy, loyal to his friends, warm and caring to all who knew him, he will be missed by us mates and their families, to whom our thoughts are with at this tragic and very sad time.

“Bruce was a sound bloke too.

“They will both live long in our memories, memories that can never be taken away. The Aero Club has lost two great characters and members.”

Post-mortem examinations are being carried out on both men.

A Spanish government spokesman said: “A judge in Mahon (capital of the Balearic island) is overseeing the judicial investigation.

“He will be given the results of the autopsies and is likely to look at all the information about the accident and speak to witnesses.

“The investigation could take two or three months.”

MORE JOBS AXED IN THE CITY

ANOTHER 500 Coventry jobs are to be axed by the new government.

The Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency – based at The Butts – will be scrapped. It follows the government’s announcement last week that it is to axe Coventry-based government agency Becta, with 330 job losses.

With a jobs freeze expected at a third city government agency – the Skills Funding Agency in Cheylesmore – about 1,000 jobs will be taken out of the city’s economy.

Labour politicians reacted with fury, saying it could plunge the city and country back into recession, with the West Midlands already suffering the country’s highest jobless rates.

The QCDA only moved into its award-winning new building at The Butts earlier this year, after relocating from London. Staff were told the grim news last Thursday.

The axe has been hovering since Prime Minister David Cameron announced last year the QCDA was top of his hitlist for abolishing such arms-length government agencies, called quangos.

Some staff had hoped for a reprieve after it was left out of chancellor George Osborne’s first round of £6bn public sector cuts announced on Monday May 24.

But education secretary Michael Gove wrote to QCDA bosses on Thursday May 27 confirming legislation to axe it will be introduced this autumn.

One worker, a Coventry resident who asked not to be named, said hundreds of workers gathered to hear Mr Gove’s letter read out.

He said: “Afterwards someone said it’s a bit like your husband having an affair and you’re denying it and denying it until he actually sits you down and tells you.

“There was an eerie silence and I saw one pregnant member of staff with tears in her eyes.

“That’s 500 jobs lost in Coventry. It leaves the people who’ve just moved here from London in a real mess.”

The QCDA closure is expected to be pushed through the Commons with majority support from the ruling coalition of Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs.

The coalition government believes it can cut government waste and bureaucracy to help pay down the £156bn budget deficit, while seeking to protect frontline services.

Before the election, the Lib Dems supported Labour in arguing such cuts should be postponed until next year when better economic growth is forecast, to prevent renewed recession.

Some of the QCDA’s work overseeing schools testing and the curriculum could now pass to the Department for Education and other organisations.

The Public and Commercial Services union has vowed to fight any redundancies.

Labour Coventry City Council leader John Mutton said: “The Tories are trying to decimate Coventry, just like they did last time, when we lost 60,000 jobs in one year and 20,000 in one day.”

Labour Coventry North West MP Geoffrey Robinson said the Tories hated the state, and were driven by dogma to “take a machete to civil service jobs”, which would plunge the country back into recession.

Teachers’ unions in Coventry contest the closures will produce savings, saying the support of the city’s education quangos had saved individual schools time and money.

WARNING OVER WORLD CUP LOTTERY SCAM

COVENTRY Trading Standards officers are urging residents to be extra cautious for World Cup related lottery scams.

People are being warned to look out for bogus letters or emails that claim to be part of the Euromillions FIFA World Cup Super Lottery.

Councillor Phil Townshend, cabinet member for corporate and neighbourhood services, said: “Most scams like this can be recognised because they are received out of the blue, promising something for nothing and usually requesting money up front.

“A question to always ask yourself is ‘if you’ve never entered into a competition, how can you have won?’

“This scam is based on the well-known Spanish lottery scam which Trading Standards has warned about in the past and their advice is to bin any such mailings.

“You should never respond to such requests and should certainly never give personal information such as back account details. Remember, if an offer seems too good to be true, it usually is.”

Mike Lynn, of Coventry Trading Standards, added: “We have received a number of enquiries concerning this mailing which claims that the recipient has won £800,000 and asks them to forward bank account details for the prize money to be paid into.

“The mailing also contains a warning, asking the recipient to keep their win quiet and should not be publicised in any way so as to prevent fraudulent acts from the criminally minded.”

For more information on how to recognise a scam visit www.coventry.gov.uk/tradingstandards.

If you believe you may have been a victim of one of these scams or would live advice, then call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

FUTURE OF FIRESTATIONS STILL UNCLEAR

FIREFIGHTERS and residents are still being kept in the dark about proposed plans to axe seven fire stations across Warwickshire.

Campaigners are calling for a date to be announced when the results of the consultation on the future of Kenilworth, Warwick, Studley, Bidford, Brinklow, Fenny Compton and Bedworth fire stations will be made.

But until this date has been given, campaigners say they will not give up their fight.

Karen Scarrott, a protester who organised a march in Warwick, said: “They (the council) had put the decision on hold hoping that any point of complacency would set in, but residents are still passionate and I hope in my heart of hearts that all these fire stations are kept open.

“The stations provide a vital service when there’s an emergency, such as a fire or a flood, and we need them to be on our doorstep to react quick enough.

“There is a massive amount of public support, which was evident in the last march we did from Warwick Racecourse to Warwick Market, where 600 people turned up.

“We need to let common sense prevail, we want all the stations saved, not a situation where one might close, because that could cause a snowball effect for others to close.”

Fire chiefs first announced the modernisation plans last September and said it was not a cost-cutting exercise, but one to make services more efficient. But if the stations were to close the Fire Brigades’ Union (FBU) said that about 100 jobs could be lost, and this has left morale low among firefighters.

Marcus Giles, chairman of the Warwickshire branch of the FBU, said: “Everyone has been quite worried because they have been left in limbo for so long.

“We were expecting a decision at some point in January, but now almost five months later, we still don’t know what is happening.

“Morale among the team is low, but they have to carry on with their job. We hope the proposal is changed so all the fire stations remain.”

The FBU said it was also concerned about plans to centralise five regional fire control centres to Wolverhampton, as this could lead to a further 100 job losses.

Chris Downes, regional secretary for the FBU, said: “It is just total uncertainty at the moment, and coupled with a potential move of the regional fire control centre to Wolverhampton, adds to the fear factor.

“The plan was to move five regional offices to Wolverhampton in 2007. But these plans have been delayed time and time again, plus there is a massive overspend on it.

The project started off costing £100 million, but this has quadrupled to around £420 million.

“The whole thing needs to be scrapped, someone needs the gumption to say so.”

A Warwickshire County Council meeting is taking place on June 18 at Shire Hall to discuss a proposal to keep all seven fire stations.

Chris White, new Conservative MP for Leamington and Warwick, is also backing the campaign to save the stations.

He said: “I’m not 100 per cent sure about what is happening, I am meeting with the leader of the county council (Alan Farnell), and chief fire officer Graeme Smith on June 18 to discuss things further.

“I will be putting a very vigorous case forward because there are good reasons to keep the fire stations open.

“In this area we have one of the most united groups of support for this cause from all sorts of levels, such as district and county.

“We have to make sure this consultation is about putting the best case forward, and get these proposals off the table.”

What do you think? Write to us or email timesletters@mrn.co.uk.

NURSERY CONSULTATION HAS STARTED DESPITE PROTESTS

A MOTION to stop a consultation on six nursery schools in Warwickshire, was defeated at a council meeting.

Six nursery schools – Warwick, Whitnash, Kenilworth, Stockingford, Bedworth Heath, and Atherstone – are now undergoing a consultation to see how best they should run in future.

At a full council meeting in Shire Hall yesterday Councillor John Whitehouse, (Lib Dem, Kenilworth Abbey), asked for the consultation not to go ahead, but it was voted against.

The consultation will explore three options for the schools: amalgamation with a local
primary school; developing them as children’s centres; or developing them as nursery school centres of excellence.

Councillor Izzi Seccombe, cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: “We want to hear the views of all maintained nurseries before any decisions are made.

“We are determined to keep the knowledge, professionalism, and expertise contained within our current nursery schools, to ensure they have a better future.

“We have been working closely with representatives from the nurseries, and we are now keen to hear the views of parents and families about the good experiences that they have received.

“This will help us to secure, improve, and build on the outstanding education and good practice
that is currently available to produce the best possible outcomes for children.

“I must stress to parents that we expect that our proposals will secure long-term, sustainable nursery education and services for families and children.”

But Cllr Whitehouse said the consultation is a “time-wasting exercise.”

He added: “The decision that needs to be taken is how we are going to turn these nurseries into centres of excellence, because that option has been clear since January.

“We are wasting time and money with this unnecessary process.

“We tried to stop them, but I regret to say we failed.”

Members of the public can send in their comments to: Nursery School Consultation, Warwickshire County Council, Children Young People and Families Directorate, Early Years and Childcare, Saltisford Business Park, Ansell Way, Warwick CV34 4UL or via email at consultations@warwickshire.gov.uk.

What do you think? Write to us or email timesletters@mrn.co.uk.

GREENBELT VICTORY FOR RESIDENTS COULD BE CLOSE

VICTORY for campaigners opposing swathes of greenbelt land being bulldozed for housing could be closer than ever.

Councillor John Mutton, the newly-appointed leader of Coventry’s now Labour-run cabinet, has said he is strongly against building on greenbelt land around the city.

Cllr Mutton, who represents the Binley and Willenhall ward, said: “The Labour group has opposed the core strategy since the beginning as we don’t believe there is any need to build on greenbelt land.

“At the moment we are waiting for the government inspector to come back with their report following the consultation, which should be anytime now.

“We, as a council, will oppose any recommendation to build on greenbelt.

“I have no problems with building 22,000 homes on brownfield sites, but we do not endorse on building anywhere else.”

Under the previous Labour government’s Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS), Coventry,
Solihull and Warwickshire would have to accommodate 82,000 homes – around 32,500 of this figure going to Coventry as it was identified as a ‘growth point’.

Under the RSS – now set to be scrapped by the new coalition government – the homes would have to be built on brownfield or greenbelt sites that were highlighted by the city council’s core strategy, by 2026.

This included a 3,500-home “eco suburb” in Keresley, areas near Longford, Eastern Green and Ash Green, and a 3,500-home estate on greenbelt land next to Finham which falls under Warwick District Council’s core strategy.

Sandra Camwell, chairman of the Keresley Parish Council, said: “Thank heavens Cllr Mutton has seen some sense in all of this. At the end of the day Coventry cannot support the amount of housing that was being asked to be built.

“We need to look after what we have got at the moment and improve that before we start adding bits here and there on greenbelt fields.

“A lot of people who live near these sites chose them so they could be near the countryside, not so they can see it turn into a concrete jungle.

“I very much hope greenbelt won’t be used, there are plenty of brownfield sites the council can build on.”

Isobel Jacques, of Ash Green, added: “This is what we have been saying all along and we are glad to hear this news.

“Since the beginning we have never felt the consultation had been very good – as far as I’m concerned there wasn’t any consultation.

“Of course we’re still worried that building on greenbelt could still happen, but it’s
reassuring to know John Mutton is sharing our views.”

Conservative MP for Meriden Caroline Spelman, who has been appointed secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, said the new coalition government plans to scrap the RSS altogether.

“When I have visited Coventry, one of the biggest concerns felt by residents was on this
issue and rightly so,” she said.

“There are unfortunately too many brownfield sites in the city and these should be used first.

“We are planning to scrap the RSS, in which the previous government said how many houses should be built by 2026.

“Instead we are now going to leave it up to local authorities to look at their housing lists, to look at the demands, and work out how many homes they need to build in the area and how many.

“We also want development to be mixed, so it will include homes, retail parks and economic uses.”

What do you think? Write to us or email timesletters@mrn.co.uk.

STRANDED MOTHER TO RETURN TO COVENTRY

A MOTHER who has been stranded in Africa for the past five months is due to be reunited with her husband and three children.

Asha Omari, of Gerard Avenue, Canley, flew out to Tanga, Tanzania, to attend her mother’s
funeral in December last year.

She was due to fly back to England on January 13, but only got as far as Nairobi, Kenya, as she did not have the correct paperwork, and was sent back to Tanzania.

The paperwork was proof the 37-year-old had been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK. This allows a person to live in the UK as long as they do not leave the country for more than two years.

Her husband Dessa Makoko, 57, frantically began to collect evidence she had ILR status,
and she had not been living in England.

Dessa, a part-time cleaner, said: “We accept we had lost the original document proving her ILR, she only had a photocopy, but she was granted ILR in November 2007.

“When she heard her mother had died, she wanted to be with her family.

“On her way back she got as far as Nairobi when she was told she couldn’t prove she had ILR, or that she had been in the UK two years previously.

“Straight away we sent doctors’ records and pay slips to prove it, but we didn’t hear anything back.”

Mr Makoko, who has been married to Asha for 16 years, had to explain to his three children, Farashuu, 13, Abdul, 10 and Aisha, seven, that their mother was stuck in Tanzania.

“My children were missing their mother so much, the youngest would cry herself to sleep.

“But now we are all so happy to hear she will be back within 10 days. We don’t know what’s changed, but it doesn’t matter.”

A UK Border Agency spokesman said: “A foreign national who has been granted indefinite leave to
remain in the UK will lose that entitlement if they cannot prove that they have been in the UK during the last two years.

“In light of new evidence provided in support of her claim, Ms Omari has now been granted an entry clearance.”

INCINERATOR PLAN COULD BE ON THE SCRAPHEAP

THE new leader of Coventry City Council has suggested plans for a new £1billion incinerator could be put on the scrapheap.

Project Transform – a joint scheme between the city council, Solihull Borough Council and Warwickshire County Council – would see the incinerator in Whitley, Coventry rebuilt to cater for more waste.

These plans have been bitterly opposed by many, including Warwickshire Liberal Democrats and green campaigners Friends of the Earth.

But there could be hope the plans are scrapped altogether after the recent elections saw Coventry’s Tory-run cabinet turn red as Labour took control.

And new leader of the council, John Mutton, said he wants to consider alternatives, including refurbishing the current Whitley incinerator.

He said: “If we put money into this PFI then we will have to look at cutting frontline services to fund it.

“The present incinerator can last until 2015 to 2020, so I have asked officers to work out the costing to improve the existing one.”

Councillor John Whitehouse, (Lib Dem, Kenilworth Abbey), who had put forward a motion at a county council meeting to delay the incinerator plans, said he welcomed the news.

He added: “I would very much agree with this idea, if we can refurbish the current one so we have more time to see where the targets for housing growth are going.

“If there isn’t the growth that’s expected and if recycling rates increase then we won’t need such a big incinerator.

“So yes, I’m very much in favour of this idea.”

The idea is also being backed by Friends of the Earth member Keith Kondakor.

He said: “I think it’s a great idea not to go ahead with it.

“There is a similar incinerator in Nottingham that was rebuilt for £14million last year so it’s obviously very do-able.

“Eventually we’d like to see it close down, but until there is new technology to make recycling easier, we have to keep the old one going.

“Fundamentally we are making less and less waste and our rubbish is becoming more valuable as natural resources are drying up.

“So it’s in everyone’s best interests to recycle more.”

What do you think? Write to us or email timesletters@mrn.co.uk.

ABIGAIL SET TO STRUT HER STUFF DOWN THE CATWALK

COVENTRY student Abigail Botcham is ready to make the grade as a design diva after impressing top fashion names Karen Millen and Anthony Campbell with her work.

The 20-year-old has made an early name for herself after winning just one of 11 places to show off her designs at London’s Graduate Fashion Week.

Abigail, of Davenport Road, Earlsdon, was among students who showcased their work to a panel of judges that would decide whether they would win a place at the event.

And fashion big guns Karen Millen and Anthony Campbell who were on the panel were so impressed with her work, they gave her a “golden ticket” to the prestigious show.

Abigail, 20, who is a studying fashion design at De Montfort University, in Leicester, said: “I’m really excited to see my work and it will be really good to see it on proper models going on catwalks.

“I have been interested in fashion since I’ve been at school and did a fashion design btec at City College, before going to DMU.

“For our final year project, we had a show selection for students’ graduation work that consists of six outfits.

“These have been designed and created by each student and my collection has taken
inspiration from the Russian Revolution – my clothes take some of the opulence the Russian tsars had by using Swarovski crystals and I have incorporated a military theme too.”

Fashion designer Karen Millen said: “What was impressive about the students was the really varied techniques they were using to create some really individual pieces that will look fantastic on the catwalk.

“It’s good to see the passion and involvement they already have within the industry they want a career in and that will definitely stand them in good stead once they graduate.”

Freelance designer Anthony Campbell, who has previously worked with Richard Nicoll, was also on the panel to help choose the students who should make the final cut.

He said: “It was a pleasure to be a part of a process which has helped to launch so many careers in the past.”

Abigail said she is inspired by designers Miu Miu and Louis Vuitton and after graduating wants to secure an internship in London.

LORD MAYORS' APPEAL RAISES £100,000

A MASSIVE £100,000 has been raised for the three charities chosen by Coventry’s Lord Mayor.

Councillor Jack Harrison is delighted after his civic appeal produced the highest total in
recent years – four times the average amount raised.

He has paid tribute to the efforts of businesses, residents, community groups and individuals who have supported the cause in the past year.

At the start of his mayoral term, Cllr Harrison picked three organisations that would benefit from fundraising events from May last year to May this year.

And the beneficiaries, who will each get around a third of the money raised, are the neo-natal ward, in Coventry’s University Hospital, in Walsgrave, the Transplant Games and children who are in the care of the local authority.

Cllr Harrison (Lab, Lower Stoke) said: “I am absolutely delighted with the fundraising efforts by everyone that has contributed.

“To raise £100,000 is great, but to know the average is usually £25,000, and to have done so during a recession, is even better.

“There have been so many memorable fundraising moments that have bought a smile to my face.

“Earlier this week I was visiting children at Davenport Lodge, who had organised a cake sale, but a lot of the three and four-year-olds had fallen asleep during the assembly.

“Chief executive Martin Reeves took part in the Coventry Half Marathon to raise money and Stoke Aldermoor held their own version of Britain’s Got Talent to raise £300.

“The Sikh community also donated £1,000 – I thank them all, this has been a real community effort.”

The money at the neo-natal ward will be used to improve the facilities for parents who are visiting babies in the ward and to buy soft toys.

Funds going to the Transplant Games – events run for those who have received a transplant – will go towards people’s accommodation to get to the games.

And the money going to children in local authority care will be used to fund school trips which parents can’t afford.

Today (Thursday) the new Lord Mayor will be taking part in his mayor-making ceremony.

Councillor Brian Kelsey (Con, Bablake) will take over the reins from Cllr Harrison.

FLOOD-PROOF FURNITURE DESIGNED BY STUDENT

FLOOD-proof furniture that will help people safeguard vital documents has been designed by a Coventry University student.

For his final year project, Peter Miller has created a set of sofas that are able to rise 1.5metres above the ground and have water-tight compartments.

The sofa has been designed with special drawers built under a panel of the sofa that can be used to store paperwork and electrical goods.

Peter, a final year industrial product design student, said: “The seats of the sofa also fold down creating more space for items, maybe even as large as a television, to be stored.

“It also rises 1.5metres above the ground if the flood levels are increasing in the house to keep the sofa dry.”

Peter, from Leamington, has been working on the design since September last year and will be displaying a prototype of the furniture at a university show next month.

The 22-year-old said the idea for the design first came about when he was asked to do a research project.

“Every year we see on the news that in certain parts of the UK flooding is a recurring problem. There are some households in the UK that are still trying to get their homes back in order since the last floods,” he said.

“So when we did our research project, flooding was a big issue and I decided to theme my final year work on that.

“With five million households at risk from flooding, the furniture in our homes should have some practical element and the furniture I have produced will be able to protect items which would have previously perished in the floods from water damage.”

Peter’s work will be on show as part of the Coventry School of Art and Design Degree Show from June 5 to June 11 in the Maurice Foss building between 10am and 5pm.

Admission is free and open to the public.

TOP TEN PARKING TICKETS ISSUED 2009/10

TOP TEN PARKING TICKETS ISSUED 2009/10:

*Friars Road - 1,261

*Lower Holyhead Road - 1,055

*Daventry Road - 944

*Greyfriars Lane - 910

*Foleshill Road - 725

*Whitefriars Street - 674

*Queen Victoria Road - 577

*Cuckoo Lane - 456

*Warwick Lane - 421

*Much Park Street - 401

CITY CENTRE STREET IS HOTSPOT FOR PARKING TICKETS

MOTORISTS parking in a city centre street beware – it’s the number one hotspot for parking tickets!

Traffic wardens issued a whopping 1,261 tickets to drivers flouting the law in Friars Road in one year, the Times can reveal.

The number of tickets handed out, which equates to nearly 25 tickets each week from April 2009 to March 2010, were for parking on double or single yellow lines or for parking longer than permitted.

Other reasons why drivers were slapped with an instant fine of £70 – reduced by half if paid within 14 days – was because they had parked in a taxi rank, parked incorrectly or parked in a clearway.

A number of motorists have also been fined for parking in a disabled spot with no badge and parking in a bus stop.

Foleshill Road, in Foleshill, which is the fifth highest in the table, saw 10 people penalised for parking in a bus stop. A total of 7,424 tickets were issued in the top 10 Coventry streets favourite with parking wardens.

Martin Yardley, director of city services and development, said: “We make no apologies for issuing penalty notices. We do it to keep traffic moving smoothly and to keep pedestrians and other motorists safe.

“We all know how frustrating it is to be stuck in traffic because you’re having to wait to edge round someone who has parked where they shouldn’t.

“It also beggars belief when people think they can get away with parking in spots that are specifically designed and located for blue badge holders.

“Any revenue made from the collection of parking fines in Coventry is reinvested in improving traffic management and keeping the roads flowing.”

Coventry City Council took over as parking enforcers from West Midlands Police in 2005. But so far any money made from parking fines is being used to clear hundreds of thousands of pounds of debt which has mounted up setting the operation up.

In the last financial year (April 2008 to March 2009) the council raked in more than £1million, but only pocketed £27,000. It was the first year the scheme had made a surplus.

What do you think? Write to us or email timesletters@mrn.co.uk.

CITY'S NIGHT TIME HOTSPOT SHUTS

CITY centre nightlife has taken a hit as the biggest Coventry nightclub has shut with the loss of
nearly 30 jobs.

The 2,735-capacity Lava and Ignite venue, at the Skydome complex, closed suddenly with no warning after 10 years.

The final day of trading was Easter Sunday but employees were not told until an emer-gency staff meeting the following week.

Thirteen people have been relocated to other Luminar venues but 27 people have been made redundant.

The nightclub was owned by Luminar Leisure, which also runs Skydome-based JJs and the former Chicago Rock Cafe which closed a few weeks ago.

In February the group announced a rigorous cost-cutting exercise after reporting like-for-like sales for 2009 were down by nearly 10 per cent and that trade had been affected by the bad weather, although JJs is safe after Luminar said they were “very pleased with its performance.”

Peter Turpin, operations director at Luminar Leisure, said: “The decision was taken following consultation with the club’s management and staff.

“We have chosen to focus our attention on JJs, our other neighbouring club in Coventry.

“JJs is the busiest late night entertainment venue in the city and we are very pleased with JJ’s ongoing performance.”

JD Wetherspoon is understood to be interested in the vacant Chicago Rock Cafe, and another nightclub operator is interested in taking over the Lava and Ignite site.

Ian Fox, managing director of Targetfollow, which owns the Skydome, said: “As a landlord we have been marketing this space and got some good initial interest from another nightclub operator.”

The nightclub opened as Ikon and Diva in 1999 and changed to Lava and Ignite following a £2million revamp in 2005.

It won the Best Bar None Godiva Award the following year for customer safety.

Mick McLaughlin, of city centre promotions firm CV One, said the closure was a “real shame”.

He added: “We are hoping that whatever moves into the units will be able to add a new dimension to the locale.”

What do you think? Write to us or email timesletters@mrn.co.uk.