UKIP's councillors would controversially not take up roles on Derby City Council's planning and scrutiny committees if given them, their group leader has said.

Councillor Alan Graves, who represents Alvaston following the May 22 elections, said it wasn't possible for members to "properly represent their wards" if they sat on the city's planning committee.

And he described the authority's overview and scrutiny committees, intended to hold the council's decision-makers to account, as "toothless" because their findings can "just be ignored".

Neither of the authority's two UKIP councillors have been allocated places on the planning committee. But they have been allocated scrutiny positions.

The other political parties on the authority have been scathing of UKIP's decision.

Councillor Baggy Shanker, spokesman for the Labour group, said: "It proves what a joke they are. They are letting down the people who went out and voted for them and would expect representation."

Liberal Democrat group leader councillor Hilary Jones said: "If they are not going to take up the positions on the overview and scrutiny committees they've been offered then it begs the question of why they put themselves forward for election."

Conservative group leader Philip Hickson said the UKIP decision was "astounding".

He said: "The commissions play an important role in holding the executive to account and looking in depth at issues affecting local residents. Planning probably has one of the most important roles in protecting residents and the city from inappropriate development.

"If I was a resident of Derwent or Alvaston, I would be annoyed that my councillors are ducking out of their responsibilities in this way."

Mr Graves said of planning: "If you sit on a planning committee you are not allowed to have an external view. What's the point of being a councillor for your area then? I'd rather go and argue either for or against an application."

He said of the scrutiny committee decision: "It fits in with our commitment to reduce the number of councillors by a third. They only have as many as they do because they are given jobs."

Janie Berry, the council's director of legal and democratic services, said: "The overall seats on council's committees must reflect the composition of the council.

"With reference to the question about UKIP, that group has put forward a nomination for its allocated places on General Licensing Committee and Taxi Licensing and Appeals Committee.

"No nominations have been received from UKIP at this stage for the scrutiny boards."

Tomorrow, the intensive care unit at the Royal Derby Hospital opens it doors so people can take a look at what goes on there. Last year, Pat Hall found out all about the unit when medics there saved the life of her husband, Tim.

EVERY day Pat Hall sat at her husband's bedside during the weeks he spent in intensive care she would write an entry into a diary.

The day Tim was put into an induced coma, the name of the nurse who attended to him that morning, each time a medical procedure was carried out – all of it went into Pat's record.

Looking back today, the 71-year-old said she was so pleased she had taken the time and trouble to do it.

That is because Tim, 69, does not remember a single thing that happened to him in hospital.

"When he reads through it all now, he is amazed," said Pat, of Stanton, near Ashbourne. "He simply doesn't remember anything – when he goes back to the unit to see the staff, they recognise him but he doesn't know them.

"I've always been a great diary person and, spending a lot of time at his bedside, it just made me feel better writing it.

"But now I'm really glad I did. Not only does it remind me of the little things you tend to forget after a while but Tim gets to read about all the different procedures and all the people who helped him."

Tim was taken to the Royal Derby Hospital in April last year after becoming unwell at home.

Pat said: "When he'd gone to bed the night before, we thought he had the flu.

"But, when he woke up the next morning, he couldn't walk and he was incredibly unwell, so I dialled 999. It was actually a community first responder who came out first, a friend of ours.

"Tim was assessed when we arrived at the hospital but they said at the time his chances of survival were very small."

Pat said Tim was treated for sepsis and bacterial shock, although an exact diagnosis of his condition was never made, and he was put on life support.

At one stage, he was also put into an induced coma.

Pat said he spent five weeks in the hospital's intensive care unit, before being moved to the high dependency unit.

She said: "I cannot praise all the staff there enough for what they did for my husband. Being there such a long time, you get to become familiar with them all and they start to play a big role in your lives.

"I'm a natural observer anyway and, in the intensive care unit, there is so much going on and so many people going through the same thing.

"It's amazing to watch the staff work and it was actually a privilege to see what they do."

From the high dependency unit, Tim was admitted to ward 403, for patients with respiratory problems, before returning home to recover in June.

Pat said she and Tim – a volunteer for Ashbourne charity Readycall and armed forces charity SSAFA – now planned to go on holiday to Canada, which they had to cancel last year.

She said: "I don't think Tim was expected to get better, so the staff are amazed at how well he's done and that he's suffered no ill effects."

Dr James Low, clinical lead for Derby's hospitals intensive care unit, said: "Mr Hall has done fantastically well to recover the way he has done.

"Infections are one of the most common reasons we see people in the intensive care unit.

"But, in some cases, like Mr Hall's, we might recognise the blood poisoning or sepsis the bug causes, but we're not always sure what bug it is.

"The frightening thing is, while we might kill off the bug quickly, it can cause quite a lot of damage and trigger a downward spiral, which can lead to multi-organ failure.

"Thankfully, in Mr Hall's case, he had lots of things on his side – he was fit and healthy beforehand and he wasn't ill for long before he came to us.

"So we're really pleased with his progress."

The couple are sharing their story ahead of an open day at the hospital's intensive care unit tomorrow.

From 10am until 4pm, members of the public will be able to view three bays in the unit, where equipment used by staff there will be on display.

Staff will also be taking questions from visitors and information stands on organ donation and infection control will be set up.

Demonstrations from physiotherapists on handling patients while in bed in the unit, giving oxygen to patients and hand-washing will be among those carried out on the day.

And, in the morning, a consultant will also show visitors the high-tech simulator used by junior doctors for training.

Dr Low said: "This is an opportunity for members of the public to take a look at the unit and see exactly what it is about and what it does.

"Most people's perception is that it is a scary place but, actually, some wonderful work is carried out there and it's a good chance to see that."

Sally Spencer, senior sister for intensive care, said: "It's important to remember that, at all times, we will protecting the privacy of patients in the unit, which is why we are using bays right by the public entrance.

"But everyone is welcome and we hope to make it interesting for people who come along, so it will be interactive – that way, people can see but also have a go.

"So visitors will be able to play around with the oxygen masks and we're hoping some will volunteer to be the people our physiotherapists demonstrate on.

"Refreshments will be available and we'll also be holding a raffle and tombola to raise money."

Pat said the open day was a good idea.

She said: "It is interesting to see what they do and I think it will demystify the unit for many people.

"I also hope it raises awareness of intensive care and the wonderful work that is done there."

A TEAM of Rolls-Royce workers are riding nearly 1,000 miles to raise money for cancer charity Macmillan.

Five colleagues from the submarines division of the company will be riding from Land's End to John O'Groats, raising thousands of pounds along the way.

All of the team have been affected by cancer but, for Ian McWilliams, the ride has special significance.

Ian, 29, said: "I was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 25. To say it was a shock is an understatement.

"I was in the shower one day and felt a lump where a lump shouldn't have been.

"I went to the doctors, who referred me to the hospital and they told me it was cancerous.

"I had to have an operation to remove one of my testicles and then went through one bout of chemotherapy.

"I was lucky as we caught it early and it could be stopped."

Ian, who was born and raised in Mickleover, and still lives there, knows how much support Macmillan gives to people suffering from the condition and their families.

He is confident the team will have the stamina to complete their journey.

He said: "This is the biggest challenge that any of us have undertaken and we are all really up for it.

"I did some smaller events once I was back up to fitness but this will be far and away the most ambitious.

"For me it has been a case of getting out on the bike as much as possible and increasing the mileage."

The group will be averaging 72 miles a day over 14 days, covering 983 miles in total. Once out of Cornwall, they will travel up the west side of the country, through the Lake District, passing Loch Lomond before branching north-east to their finish.

The challenge begins on Saturday morning and has already raised more than £3,000.

It has been organised by Chris Boyles, 52, of West Hallam. He said: "I rode from Edinburgh to Derby and I knew then that the next thing I wanted to do was this trip.

"I organised it and then the other chaps came on board.

"I try to do something to raise money every other year. I lost my dad and sister-in-law to cancer and my niece is just coming through treatment now, so the charity has a real significance for me.

"I know that we will be able to do the mileage, we just need to make sure that we are eating and drinking correctly and we will be fine.

"But we wouldn't be able to do any of this without the help of White Lanes Lettings and Dignity who have helped fund parts of the trip."

Fellow rider Luke Urquhart, 32, of Alvaston, said: "My wife, Sally, works in the oncology department of the Royal Derby Hospital so I am riding for them, as well as Macmillan.

"I love riding but this is by far the most I will have done."

To donate to the team, visit www.justgiving.com/derbylejogpeddlers.

joey.severn@derbytelegraph.co.uk

THE countdown has started to the inaugural Derby Telegraph Business Awards ceremony, which will recognise and reward the county's finest companies.

Preparations are well underway for the awards ceremony, which will take place on Wednesday, June 18, at Derby College's Roundhouse on Pride Park.

Companies from all over Derbyshire will descend on the venue for the awards, which celebrate and salute the achievements of the county's business community over the last 12 months. Around 550 people are expected to attend the event, which is a sell-out.

And those who have got their tickets can look forward to what promises to be a memorable evening.

It is apt that the first ever Derby Telegraph Business Awards, organised by Champions (UK) Plc, will be taking place at the Roundhouse.

Originally developed by George Stephenson's son, Robert, as the world's first railway roundhouse, the Grade-II listed building was reopened in 2009 as the home of Derby College after being faithfully restored.

This year, the city is celebrating its 175-year association with rail – and the Roundhouse building is a reminder of that heritage.

Guests will be wined and dined throughout the night – starting with a champagne reception, courtesy of Marketing Derby, where they will enjoy the smooth tones of the Dorchester Hotel's resident pianist, Adrian Dixon.

From there, guests will be treated to a sumptuous three-course meal provided by Fig and Pantry, while the UK's leading illusionist, Graham Jolley, entertains with his unique style and amazing mind reading capabilities.

The evening is also being backed by Derbyshire chocolate-maker Thorntons, which has agreed to be the awards' gift sponsor, providing a selection of chocolate goodies for each table.

The evening will then move on to the main event, the hotly anticipated Derby Telegraph Business Awards.

Hosted by television personality Paul Ross and BBC East Midlands Today presenter Anne Davies, there will be 13 different award categories covering all sectors.

Prizes will be awarded in categories as diverse as Contribution to the Community, International Trade, New Business and the Derby Company of the Year accolade.

The three finalists for each award have now been chosen by judges and will be outlined in full in a special supplement, which will appear in the Derby Telegraph on Wednesday.

Also on the night, guests will be invited to take part in a silent auction, with all proceeds going to the Rainbows Trust Children's Charity, which supports youngsters with life-threatening and terminal illnesses.

A spokeswoman for Champions said: "It has been a tough few years for all of us, but as the economy now looks to be on a firmer footing, there could be no better time or place to recognise the innovation and endeavour that makes our region so dynamic.

"The awards ceremony looks set to be a superb night. Derby has so much to be proud of and so much to look forward to."

HEAVY downpours are expected today but the good news is that it should be brighter tomorrow.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning of rain and is saying that travel disruption is quite likely.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: "The warning is to make people aware that there will be some heavy, thundery showers moving through the country on Saturday."

She said there was the chance that some of the isolated showers could bring as much as 20mm of rain in an hour leading to "surface- water flooding."

Maximum temperatures will be 18 to 19C and it will feel "quite muggy and humid" but by late afternoon the it should dry up.

The spokeswoman said: "Sunday is looking quite nice, maybe the odd shower but certainly some sunshine."

The weather is forecasted to be unsettled at the start of next week, with a mixture of sunshine and showers.

WORDS and pictures might be separate elements but this week's photography challenge shows how they can work together using poetry.

Inspired by a classic poem by Robert Louis Stevenson, we set a task this week for members of the Derby Telegraph camera club TogsQuad to bring images to our pages from verse.

The three paragraphs written by Stevenson reflect the thoughts of a young spirit when summertime arrives.

Days get longer and lighter yet bed-time seems to come too soon while the sun still has not set.

Our keen photographers have brought us their thoughts on what the poem conjures up in their imagination or simply what they think of when they read the words in it.

My favourite picture this week has to be from Sarah Stanton Longdon, of Milford, who created her picture at Tower Cottage in Milford.

The bright light still pushing through the curtains on to the toys resting nearby brings a warmth to the shot.

Sarah has really captured the essence of the poem with her subtle approach and by using only natural light indoors to maximise the simple atmosphere.

Nick Allen, of Stenson Fields, represented the yellow candle light of the poem, again by only using the light of the subject itself.

Richard Miller, of Chaddesden, and Tracey Bunce, of Kirk Hallam, have brought us "the birds still hopping on the tree".

Josh Beardsley and his mother Sharron Davies, of Chaddesden, have both made their pictures of "grown-up people's feet".

Nick Allen has also submitted the "sky is clear and blue", while Monica Yau, of Derby, has filed a more dusky image sky shot.

If you would like to take part in our weekly TogsQuad challenge then join us on Facebook by searching for "TogsQuad". Watch out for the next themed challenge then post your pictures on our page for a chance to be included next time.

THE Derby Telegraph has been named Newspaper of the Year at the Midlands Media Awards.

The paper beat seven other titles to the prize at the awards held in Birmingham last night.

Derby Telegraph editor Neil White said: "Our Newspaper of the Year award is testament to the incredible dedication of the Telegraph's staff. They not only care passionately about our paper and website but also the community in which we work.

"Sparking the Al-Madinah investigation, encouraging thousands of people to give blood and take up first-aid classes and raising £30,000 to buy a minibus for underprivileged children to go on holiday to Skegness are just the headlines in a fantastic year.

"I couldn't be more proud to be the editor of the Derby Telegraph and to lead this brilliant team."

Education correspondent Zena Hawley was named Journalist of the Year and also took home Scoop of the Year for her story about female teachers being forced to wear veils at the city's Al-Madinah School.

This latest success comes on the back of Zena winning Scoop of the Year at the Regional Press Awards in May.

And there was further good news for Zena's daughter, Derby Telegraph health correspondent Caroline Jones, who beat her mum to win the Campaign of the Year category.

Zena said: "I was delighted to win both awards and equally delighted for Caroline to win hers. The ultimate accolade of Newspaper of the Year is a result of the dedication and hard work that all the people who work at the paper put in day-in and day-out. I have had a fantastic few weeks and would not swap my job in journalism for anything else."

Caroline won with the Save a Life campaign, which resulted in hundreds of readers signing up for first-aid classes, to become blood donors or to join the organ donor register. The campaign was supported by NHS Blood and Transplant and St John Ambulance.

Caroline said: "It's wonderful the Save a Life campaign has been recognised in this way.

"This award is the readers' as much as it is mine. Without their incredible take-up, the campaign would not have been the success that it has.

"I was thrilled to be nominated in the same category as my mum and I'm so pleased to see her win two awards – the newspaper as a whole has done extremely well and it's great to be a part of that."

Chief football writer Steve Nicholson, business editor Robin Johnson and crime reporter Martin Naylor were highly commended in the Sports Journalist, Business Journalist and Journalist of the Year categories.

The chairman of the judges, Peter Lowe, of Sky News, said: "This year, we found it extremely difficult to draw dividing lines between very high-quality work from newspapers around the region.

"But, in a year in which they were in the forefront of reporting the tragic and challenging Philpotts story, where they led a campaign to help preserve the future of an important local employer and in which they broke the story about the Al-Madinah free school, the Derby Telegraph was judged the outstanding publication."

THOUSANDS of runners will be taking part in the new Ramathon tomorrow.

After an 18-year absence the race will be reborn at Elvaston Castle.

The half-marathon will start at 10am with 2,500 runners taking to the 13.1-mile course.

Race director Richard Kay said: "This is going to be a special weekend for bringing such an iconic event back to the area.

"All of the plans have come together recently and we are hoping for a fun day all around, regardless of what the British weather may bring us.

"There seems such a buzz with everyone who is involved with the event, including the committee, team leaders, volunteer, runners and general spectators so we are very excited for the weekend."

Demand for the race was so high at the start that the original 1,000 limit sold out in less than eight hours in early January.

Organisers had to double the capacity, and even those extra places sold out in double quick time.

Such was the interest in the race that even the waiting list – in case anyone drops out – is full as well.

Competitors are expecting to arrive from 9am.

All those finishing the race will receive a T-shirt and a special carbon-fibre medal made by Draycott firm EPM: Technology, which makes carbon composite components for the world of motor sport, including Formula One.

And once the final finishers cross the line the full results will be available exclusively on the Derby Telegraph's website at www.derbytelegraph.co.uk.

Even if you missed out on the chance to take your place on the start line you can still take part in the event.

Richard said: "People can still be involved by either running the 1.6-mile mini Ramathon as we are still taking entries on the day, although we are recommending people enter early to avoid disappointment.

"Alternatively, people can help the event and support the runners by being a volunteer – park in the event car park and come along to the entrance of Elvaston Castle car park for 8.15am to meet the volunteer co-ordinator who will assign you a position.

"We are looking forward to the bring the Ramathon back and hope that it will be the start of an event that can build in strength over the coming years."

FORMER Derby County defender and England star Mark Wright is offering a junior football league team the chance to win a training session with him.

The 50-year-old, who played for the Rams between 1987 and 1991, is doing this as part of his work for a national campaign, Foster Care Associates, to encourage people to become foster carers.

The winner and their junior league team will enjoy a day with the Rams legend at the Derby County Training Centre, in partnership with the University of Derby, for a special VIP football masterclass on Saturday, July 12.

As well as the coaching session, the team will be given goodies and signed memorabilia to take away with them.

To win, collect three of five coupons printed in next week's Derby Telegraph from Monday to Friday, and send them in with Saturday's entry form.

To find out more about fostering and how you can sign up to be a foster carer, visit www.thefca.co.uk