LETTER FROM NORM

Periodically Norm shares info via email.. for those who dont get to see - Norm gave me permission to share this with you .. x An Interesting update ! 3 guesses who contacted the DBS service to "let them know" of Norms plight !!!! Dear All Whilst (most of you) are at home and catching up with the garden and other household chores - I thought you might be interested in a recent development with my case. I think you all know that I was prosecuted over a matter for which the person I was alleged to have assaulted expressly stated that he did NOT wish the Police to take any action. Normally, if the “victim” does not wish any action to be taken that is the end of the matter…..but there was nothing “normal” about what happened in my case. It was relentlessly pursued. Having been given an Absolute Discharge by the Court, the Police reacted by withdrawing my Police Accreditation. The Parish Council Clerk submitted a report to the Disclosure and Barring Service and she told me that my DBS status (which enables work with vulnerable adults and young people) would be withdrawn as a result of her report. Because there was no other suitable post for me with the Parish Council I was given the choice of retirement or dismissal. When faced with the alternative of “retire or be dismissed” I reluctantly opted for retirement. I contacted the DBS department and Brian Dash wrote in my support enclosing a copy of the Community Petition calling for my reinstatement. I am aware that many other supporters also wrote to DBS on my behalf. I have now been notified by the DBS service that they see NO reason to place me on the list of persons barred from working with children and vulnerable adults - and they reiterated what they told me when I first contacted them…….and they have been telling me ever since. I have ALWAYS retained my DBS accreditation. I have NEVER lost it. I COULD have continued working for the Parish! In the past many Parish Councillors have basked in all the praise they received when the Parish Council retained Community Safety Officers for Hythe and Dibden despite the County Council “axing” the service. These councillors soaked up all the praise for the work that Lou and I did – but they left us to swing when the going got tough for us. Two of them, Harrison and Short, even became “Independent” ! I have voted Conservative all my life so I was stunned and bitterly disappointed when XXXX divulged to the Parish Clerk something which I had discussed with him “in total confidence”. He had assured me that he would “not breathe a word to anyone.” Is that the action of someone you are supposed to be able to trust? I have never, at any stage, received any support from him. I was suspended from duty on 8th April last year and, from then onwards, things got increasingly grim. From then until now Cllr Malcolm Wade has fought on my behalf and on Lou’s behalf. Throughout the time I was in Hospital last year Malcolm looked after and supported my family for me. He says what he means and he means what he says. What you see is what you get with Malcolm. I could not have wished for a truer friend. A representative of the Party I have supported all my life did the dirty on me whilst a bloke from a Party I have not previously supported was always there for me and, by his words and his deeds, made it very obvious he would have died in a ditch for me. When it comes to LOCAL elections I forget all about Party politics – I vote for the person who truly represents the people of Hythe and Dibden.. Who you vote for is your decision, not mine - but I will be voting for Malcolm, the person who cares passionately about local issues and fights tirelessly for the people of this community. Best wishes Norm xxx