Warning . Long rambling Political post. avoid if you have something better to do. Covid 19 has been the single biggest challenge since I became leader of the FODDC. The Council and the communities response to the crisis has and continues to be a source of great pride for me and the Council. I recall the anger at what I still consider to be the early reopening of some of our key tourist areas. Many will remember that bank holiday in April when in the midst of lock down we were inundated with large numbers of cars , bikes and tourists. They would no doubt be spreading the virus among our special communities and increasing our losses , our grief. Nothing but nothing is or was more important than the total protection of our people from this horrendous illness. And then came the Black Lives protest to be held in Lydney. I will state quite honestly now that if , the protest had been called in my ward of Berry Hill, knowing all we as a community had done for three months to protect the community, my stance would have been exactly the same as that of the Lydney District Councillors. I could however very much understand the draw to go to the event. I think anyone who has seen on tv those horrendous scenes know that a civilised world needs to be better, it needs to address racism and it needs to be done right now. Id like to think we are not anywhere near the bigotry level of many other areas but what do I as a 50 something white man know of racism and bigotry. Perhaps I am naïve , perhaps Ive closed my eyes to what actually goes on because it does not affect me or my family. I was relieved in some sense when it was called off, no spike in Covid19 and no difficult decisions to deal with. Then it was back on , then it happened and three cabinet members attended. I am now being asked my view on the attendance, The MP was involved, Opposition leaders asking me to investigate, I'm getting messages of support for the three at the same rate as Im getting demands for action against them. I'm accused by one ex colleague of being racist and for not sacking one of them and members of my own group are sending emails to all council demanding action against them. That email alone put huge pressure on the administration. At the same time as just as many people are applauding the three for attending Around Lydney and those with an interest, this is Brexit No2. No halfway house you either think it was wrong or think its absolutely right. Worse than being a no win situation its actually a situation from which I can only lose.50 % of the people with an interest in the protest will consider me racist for admonishing Councillors supporting the Black lives matter movement or 50% will think I have swept things under the table , not supported the people of Lydney and accepted cabinet members being involved in illegal activity I can only investigate to the best of my ability and make an honest assessment which is what I have done. I have spoken to the Police, to the legal team at FODDC, and spoken with each cabinet member . My findings on the attendance of Cllrs Martin, O"Neill and Sid Phelps and the BLM event in Lydneys Bathurst park are as follows: 1. As Leader of the Council I have sought legal advice from a Councillor conduct point of view. The guidance informs me the the Councillors concerned have NOT breached any councillor code of conduct 2 The Police tell me that no illegal activity took place either before or during the event and they had no cause to intervene from a government guidance point of view ref covid19. I can therefore only assume, and it seems to be backed up by photographic and witness evidence that social distancing was observed and that masks were worn etc. 3 The Councillors involved assure me they would not have attended any event not ratified by Lydney Town Council. they were aware that the town council had been given advice to seek legal guidance on the event and that by Lydney TC then reversing their decison and allowing the event, it is fair that they assumed that legal advice had been taken and the go ahead given. 4 The three Cllrs attended as individuals, were in no way representing either FODDC, The cabinet of FODDC or their individual parish or town Councils. I remain unclear if they were representing their political parties 5. Having studied the Parliamentary discussion held on June the 15th it is apparent that while clearly expressing his own view that the event be illegal due to the number of people in attendance being over 6, our own MP is aware of the difficulties in enforcing such guidelines. 6. Indeed , in the same debate Mr Harpers Conservative party colleague Charles Walker Chair, Administration Committee, Chair, Administration Committee stated "I understand the point that my right hon. Friend is making, and it is very important that people act safely, but I find it rather wonderful that people in this country believe that the right to protest belongs to them and not Ministers. Whatever the rights and wrongs of protesting while there is a lockdown, looking ahead to the strength of the democratic right in this country, the fact that people believe the right to protest belongs to them and not Ministers should, in future, give us all hope for our democracy." 7.The Cllrs in their statement have apologised to the people of Lydney who felt under threat from the event . Based on the evidence, these statements and subject to any further evidence coming forward I can find no reason to sanction the Councillors in relation to their attendance at the BLM event in Lydney. For me the ambiguity of whether the event was legal or otherwise was over ridden by Lydney Town councils decision to allow the event. it is fair to assume that by that happening the three councillors were then right to believe that the event was a legal event. I welcome their apology to the people of Lydney and I will extend that from a Cabinet point of view to the District Councillors of the town who I do believe should have been informed of the attendance of District councillors at such an event in their ward. I know this decision will not sit well with many of the people who have contacted me , similarly it will delight others but all I do is assure you I have reached it honestly and fairly. No one wins and no one was right. I am sorry that we have reached this point and had hoped people would not use such important issues as Covid 19 and the Black lives matters movement as a political tool. They are both more important than that. But unfortunately as well as Di receiving the most abhorrent personal abuse the opposition in council repeatedly asked questions about any sanctioning of the three councillors , even asking the question at Overview and scrutiny. A completely inappropriate platform and one damaging to the council. They were not letting this subject go , look at their Facebook page for an example Due to the continued harassment and abuse from other sources Di offered me her resignation. Although reluctant to accept the loss of such a fine cabinet member, I understood her reasoning and further more was considering my own position. The important thing we collectively agreed was that the current administration staying in place and refusing to allow political manipulation to win. Our official opposition and their reserve team taking over FODDC would mean the end of the council . we cannot allow that to happen and Di recognised that as a hugely important issue . Her resignation shows her selflessness and her commitment to the Forest of Dean is as strong as ever. This isnt the end of it, the things that Di stood up for on that day , still need addressing the politicians who chose to use genuine local worry and concern and basic human rights as a political whip will be brought to book. We move on but we wont forget.
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