Councillors say residents are still expressing their frustration with the new system

Council officers say a new AI-automated call system has received fewer than 10 complaints over the last year. South Cambridgeshire District Council, where many staff work for four days each week, introduced “SAM” to answer the public’s questions around 18 months ago.

It was first introduced only over the web before it was rolled out for phone calls too. Jeff Membery, head of transformation and people, told a meeting of the scrutiny and overview committee they “deliberately take a very cautious approach to our use of AI”.

He said: “We try and make sure that we get things right – moving in a slow and controlled manner is more important than rushing to try and take advantage of the very latest cutting-edge technology.” He said the AI decides whether it can answer a question and, if it can’t, it will redirect the call to the contact centre.

Cllr Yasmin Deter asked what the feedback has been. Mr Membery said the satisfaction rate is 87 per cent from asking webchat users to put “a smiley face” after their query.

He said: “The thing that’s actually remarkable is – you probably see stories in the press about large numbers of complaints in relation to chat bots, but we’ve had very few. I think over the course of a year we’ve had less than 10 complaints about SAM.”

Cllr Vivien Biggs said she’d called the council to report a dead deer after a resident of her village was “very frustrated” with speaking to the AI. She said: “It wanted to talk to me about fly-tipping – obviously a dead deer isn’t really fly-tipping.”

After saying something “along the lines of, ‘I want a person’” she was put through to the call centre, who promised the deer would be removed.

Mr Membery said he would “rather suspect” that dead deer “are probably not one of the things we’ve yet trained SAM on” but was “slightly disappointed” the AI didn’t automatically pass her on to a call handler.

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Cllr Heather Williams also shared her experience with SAM and said she tried the AI webchat before she “surrendered and gave up”. She said: “I appreciate the web chat is slightly different but, as a councillor, the amount of phone calls I’ve had because people haven’t been able to get through to the council.

“I find particularly when older people whose voices may not be as strong, they tend to come through because they just feel like they’re not getting through. SAM would not have responded and answered them and nor would they have been transferred – they’ve given up, they’ve hung up.”

Mr Membery said that SAM “isn’t for everybody” but he was “really surprised” to hear that people weren’t being automatically put through to the contact centre as they “test regularly”.

He said: “If somebody does come through and speaks about their experience with SAM and say it was negative, they feed that through to our digital team – we’ve not had a lot of those being fed through.”

Cllr Williams said: “There’s a big flaw in your theory there – if I’m frustrated with something, am I going to wait to be put through or am I going to hang up the phone?”

Mr Membery said the number of hang ups is recorded but it’s “impossible to know the reason why somebody gave up”. He said: “Was it because they were frustrated with SAM, or had they suddenly remembered the answer and they didn’t need to ask the question – or somebody rang on their doorbell, we don’t know that.”

Cllr Dr Richard Williams said “to end on a positive note” he had called “and it was actually very good, it did answer my query quite quickly”.

The local authority looks to be running out of traditional plots for coffins with a report in chambers showing only one of its 10 cemeteries is open to new burials

A NI council is set to provide a ‘scattering garden’ for people’s remains as it looks to save space for burials.

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council’s environment committee has backed a plan to explore alternative and culturally diverse end of life needs with an upcoming design for a potential new cemetery.

The local authority looks to be running out of traditional plots for coffins with a report in chambers showing only one of its 10 cemeteries is open to new burials.

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Castlereagh South Alliance councillor Bronagh Magee said:”Since the original motion back in October I have received very positive comments from the public in regards to the natural burials from people in Lisburn and Castlereagh and beyond.

“I have also noted that undertakers have told officers that there has been an increase in people interested in alternative and sustainable options for burials.

“Although our council is not in a position to offer a designated site, I welcome that it will be explored.”

The environmental proposals come as the UK Government works towards continuing efforts to lower harmful gas emissions by 2027.

According to the committee, the council will call for an end to embalming and provide plots that can hold up to 12 urns as well as a scattering garden where ashes can be released.

Lisburn North independent councillor Gary Hynds added:”I would be very pro-choice on this matter.

“The only comment I would make would be to know the demand, which will come out through the feasibility report.

“There are some who would want an alternative option instead.”

A council officer responded:”We currently don’t provide alternative options for residents at end of life.

“There is an increase in cremation, but we are some way behind the likes of England, Scotland and Wales.

“There is considerably less space needed for the burial of ashes than a traditional coffin.

“We will bring back a feasibility report which will have further engagement around alternative burials and our long term future needs.”

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Northern Ireland skipper Trai Hume hailed the impact of Kelly and Michael O’Neill’s brave young side afterwards. Their average age was just over 22

Northern Ireland came away from Lille with more than just a Pat on the back last night, despite a sparkling Michael Olise hat-trick for France.

Patrick Kelly’s second half goal rattled Didier Deschamps’ Bleus as they head for the World Cup as many people’s favourites.

The Barnsley man got on the end of Shea Charles’ cross to briefly silence the partisan home crowd, making it 2-1, before Olise got the farewell party going again with a stunning third goal.

Northern Ireland skipper Trai Hume hailed the impact of Kelly and Michael O’Neill’s brave young side afterwards. Their average age was just over 22.

“I thought the boys were outstanding,” said Sunderland man Hume. “We done our analysis and knew we could get them in the transition and that’s what we done.

“I thought PK (Kelly) was outstanding. The young lads all were. If you want to play international football you hgave to come and play in atmospheres like this and play big teams.

“They are favourites to win the World Cup. We gave a good account of ourselves.”

Hume and an overworked Northern Ireland defence handled most of what a star-studded French side threw at them.

Kylian Mbappe, Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembele and Rayan Cherki were held at bay, but Bayern Munich ace Olise could not be stopped, with each of his goals better than the last in Lille.

Hume was disappointed that Northern Ireland could not deny the best attacking line-up in world football vital possession.

“I thought we worked so hard, we were so honest. We defended so well in parts, but it comes down to looking after ball when you get it,” Hume said.

“It felt like we defended for 80 minutes. The boys were outstanding but, if I had one little thing to work on, it would be managing the ball a bit better.”

Olise struck either side of half-time, both goals unerring finishes on the rebound, and after Kelly pulled one back the Bayern Munich man delivered a superb curling strike to settle it in the 75th minute.

But France, among the favourites to lift the World Cup this summer, hardly had things all their own way as Northern Ireland – whose starting XI had an average age of just 22.6 – dug in to produce another determined display showing maturity beyond their years.

And that was rewarded in the 64th minute when Kelly, the 21-year-old making only his second international start, turned in a Shea Charles cross, silencing the crowd to deliver on O’Neill’s plea for his players to act as “badly-behaved guests” at France’s going-away party.

Didier Deschamps, taking charge of France for the final time on home soil, fielded a side which could well be the starting XI for their World Cup opener against Senegal on June 16, with Mbappe, Dembele, Doue and Olise forming an imposing front four.

Northern Ireland almost created an early chance for Isaac Price but, as smoke from the pre-match fireworks hung over the pitch under the closed roof of Lille’s Stade Pierre Mauroy stadium, the pattern was set with action concentrated at the other end.

Mbappe curled a shot narrowly wide before Doue’s tame effort was gathered by Pierce Charles.

Northern Ireland broke as Price crossed for Kelly, who peeled away to make space but hit a low shot just wide of a post.

With 20 minutes gone, Aurelien Tchouameni’s low shot from distance struck a post. Doue picked up the rebound and crossed for Mbappe to finish, but the flag was up against the Paris St Germain winger.

With every passing minute O’Neill’s men were growing in confidence and stature and they threatened again when Shea Charles’ superb pass almost fell for Kelly in front of goal.

Instead France got the breakthrough two minutes before half-time. Doue’s cross found Dembele and when his shot was blocked Olise slotted in.

Jamie Donley poked home for Northern Ireland in first-half stoppage time, but Ruairi McConville was guilty of a push on Theo Hernandez as he beat him to Price’s cross.

Three minutes into the second half it was 2-0. Pierce Charles could not hold substitute Malo Gusto’s cross and when Trai Hume blocked Hernandez’s header it fell for Olise to rifle home.

Mbappe, one shy of Olivier Giroud’s record of 57 goals for France, hooked a shot over from Hernandez’s cross before Maxence Lacroix was equally wasteful from a similar position.

As the home chances piled up, Northern Ireland then hit France on the counter-attack.

Justin Devenny’s pass found the run of Shea Charles, who got the better of Dayot Upamecano before playing in a low ball for Kelly to tuck home.

Mbappe fired over again before Olise killed the contest with the pick of the goals, cutting in off the right and curling a shot into the far corner, and Northern Ireland defended doggedly to ensure there was no further damage.

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The allegations from seven women have been uncovered in a joint investigation by BBC Panorama and The Times.

They all come from women who were in their late teens or early twenties and were young models seeking work at Sullivan’s Daily and Sunday Sport newspapers.

They accuse Sullivan of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour, including pressuring them for sex during business meetings, where he offered to boost their careers if they slept with him or gave him oral sex.

🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Multiple women have accused billionaire businessman and West Ham co-owner David Sullivan of using his position of power to pursue sexual relationships with them, including some who say they were teenagers at the time.

The claims, brought forward by seven… pic.twitter.com/iaEG2QjhKT

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) June 8, 2026

Sullivan, 77, said he “categorically” denies the claims, which span the period when he made a fortune from pornography, newspapers and football.

The full investigation can be found on BBC News and The Times.

David Sullivan allegations come days after stepping away from West Ham United

Along with David Gold, Sullivan acquired a 50% share in West Ham United back in 2010.

On Saturday, June 6, he stepped down after 16 years in the role to fight what he called “false allegations” about his private life.

He said: “After very careful consideration and with a heavy heart, I have decided to resign as joint-chair and director of West Ham United FC with immediate effect.

“This has been an incredibly painful decision to make, but it is one made out of love, respect, and responsibility toward a football club and a fan base that deserve absolute unity and focus moving forward.”

A club statement said: “West Ham United can confirm that joint-chair David Sullivan has stepped down from his position with immediate effect.

“Mr Sullivan has also resigned as a director of both WH Holding Limited and West Ham United Football Club, having been made aware of the impending publication of serious historic allegations.

“It is understood none of the allegations relate to West Ham United or any of its operations.”

Although Sullivan has resigned as joint chairman, he remains the Championship club’s largest single shareholder with a 38.8% stake in the business.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A U.S. Army Apache attack helicopter crashed near the Strait of Hormuz, with President Donald Trump saying the two crew members abroad were “fine” after the incident involving the strategic waterway, which remains under a chokehold by Iran.

What caused the crash remained unclear Tuesday morning in the Middle East, which was still reeling after Iran and Israel exchanged fire the previous day in the biggest blow yet to the straining ceasefire in the Iran war. Iranian state media, relying on foreign reporting, acknowledged the crash without elaborating.

Since the U.S. and Israel began striking Iran on Feb. 28, the war has shaken the global economy, driven up energy prices around the world and made many basics, including food, more expensive. Officials have been unable to turn the April ceasefire into a deal to permanently end the conflict.

Trump, speaking to journalists at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York after watching the NBA Finals on Monday night, acknowledged the crash.

“The pilots are fine. Yeah,” Trump said. “Nobody injured. We are going to issue a report tomorrow. But the pilots are fine.”

The New York Times first reported that a U.S. Army Apache attack helicopter went down near the strait in unclear circumstances. The U.S. military’s Central Command and the Defense Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.

Apache helicopters have been a key asset for the American military as it enforces a blockade on Iranian crude oil shipments and tankers, seeking to pressure Tehran into reaching a deal. The helicopters also have been used by the United Arab Emirates to shoot down Iranian drones during the Iran war.

Trump insists an Iran deal is coming

Trump also expressed renewed optimism over negotiations with Iran.

“We have a good chance” of signing a deal in “two or three days,” Trump said. But he didn’t provide any details on why there was reason for new optimism.

“We’re very close to having a very, very good, strong, powerful deal,” the president said. “If we go and bomb — which we could do very easily if we want, and we spend another two or three weeks bombing — they’ll have nothing left whatsoever. But you won’t have the strait open for months.”

He added: “If we do the bombing, you know, a lot of people are going to be killed. Who wants to do that? I don’t.”

One of the paper’s reporters, Tina Dalgleish, responded to an advert for “promotional entertainment work”. She reported that Sullivan told her she would have to have sex as part of the job and that he needed to “judge her performance”. He asked her to come upstairs and strip to her underwear, she wrote, adding that she had done so, but had then got dressed and left.

Available for over a year

Today we hear from Labour MP Jess Phillips, who resigned from government in part over what she saw as its failure to act quicker on kids‘ online safety.

One of the measures she was pushing for at the time was announced today. Sir Keir Starmer has told firms to either activate built-in features or update software to prevent children from taking, sending or viewing sexually explicit images on their phones and other devices.

And after 24 hours of missile fire between Israel and Iran. Diplomatic correspondent James Landale and chief presenter in the US Caitríona Perry discuss what happened, why, and what it means for peace talks.

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