I have five minutes to address a Council meeting about a Rotherham e-petition: “We the undersigned call on Sharon Kemp, Chief Executive, to write a letter to all employees of RMBC about the importance of truthfulness in their communications with representatives and advocates of victims and survivors of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) in Rotherham.” ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Here is a first draft (from 14.8.17) of what I am thinking of saying: (As a pdf: http://real2.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Preparation-for-RMBC-Meeting-on-13-September-2017-Draft-14.8.17.pdf ) Good afternoon everyone. 1 I have 5 minutes to address the importance of TRUTH for DEMOCRACY. 2 Attempts to suppress TRUTH often fail, especially when DEMOCRACY is STRONG. 3 Friday will be the second anniversary of a HIGHLY RECKLESS, UNTRUTHFUL and UNJUST communication sent to me by an Assistant Director permanently appointed to RMBC just a few months beforehand. 4 Just under 500 HIGHLY DAMAGING words, agreed with the Strategic Director (SD) of CYPS in consultation with commissioners – this was the beginning of two years of at times BLATANT UNTRUTHFULNESS. 5 BLATANT UNTRUTHFULNESS thrown RECKLESSLY at victims and survivors of CSE in Rotherham – especially those who were enormously courageous in providing their voices publically in Voices of Despair Voices of Hope. 6 For two years I have been seeking the TRUTH. AMAZINGLY and despite meeting with the Chief Executive about this on 26 July, I still do not know WHO sent the Assistant Director the information he shared, WHEN he received it and HOW he received it – RMBC officers say there is no written record. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7 Two years of EVASION, PROCASTINATION, INCOMPETENCY, DISHONESTY and ARROGANCE. See the Change.org Petition. https://www.change.org/p/sharon-kemp-chief-executive-ask-david-mcwilliams-and-ian-thomas-rmbc-officers-to-tell-the-truth 8 Perhaps a new culture of UNTRUTHFULNESS was brought to Rotherham with two UNDEMOCRATIC appointments - a Commissioner in October 2014 closely followed, by the initial temporary appointment of the SD of CYPS. Perhaps, in time, the TRUTH about these two appointments will be uncovered. 9 After an important Unity Vigil on 8 November 2014 and the BBC Radio Sheffield Debate 15 days later, I wrote a proposal to the four speakers at the Debate. On 2 December 2014 the former Leader of the Council asked the recently appointed SD to give me a professional response. Comments by the SD then and in a meeting with the Leader on 16 December (and also in a Guardian interview) were shocking. 10 I heard that a Helpline was being proposed. The refusal to consult those who could have made this a wise and effective action was extremely damaging. What happened to the promise to provide a (and I quote) “meaningful consultation … to ensure victims/survivors receive timely and confidential support in future”? 11 Ill thought through actions, the failure to consult those who would be affected, and the further repeated failure to reflect upon and learn from mistakes have compounded the initial damage. I hope that, in time, someone will uncover the TRUTH about all of this. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 12 I became very active in challenging hate and racism in Rotherham in April 2014. On 26 May 2015 I saw one of the worst hate filled events in Rotherham, an event possibly facilitated, by the unwise (and maybe arrogant) actions of newly appointed Commissioners. 13 One of the most hopeful days in the past three and a half year was the Unity Vigil I organised on 18 July 2015. There were no slogans, no banners. There was no counter protest. There was no hate in All Saints Square – instead two councillors stood, arm in arm, and talked about the need for LOVE, LOVE for our neighbours. “Only love dispels hate, this is the TRUTH, ancient and inexhaustible”. 14 Following a meeting with a commissioner a few days before 18 July (I was accompanied by councillor) it is possible that this commissioner deliberately attempted to publically undermine the Unity Vigil. 15 Sadly, a month later, a beloved elderly father was murdered in Rotherham. And then the so-called “Britain First” decided to intrude into Rotherham’s grief on 5 September 2015. 16 Six days after that deeply disturbing intrusion, I wrote to a number of officials about the URGENT NEED to tackle hate in Rotherham … the only response was the HIGHLY RECKLESS, UNTRUTHFUL and UNJUST communication. Can you see why we all need the TRUTH about all of this? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 17 You councillors have shown great courage in putting yourselves forward to serve the people of Rotherham at the time of its greatest need. Now more than ever, you have the awesome responsibility (and DEMOCRATIC privilege) of helping to establish a new culture in Rotherham. 18 Let the record show that beginning TODAY those elected by the people of Rotherham ACTED to ensure that officers and commissioners are held DEMOCRATICALLY accountable for TRUTHFULNESS in their actions. Take time to become familiar with the facts. And then let the record show that you stood up for Rotherham by supporting this petition AND the Change.org petition. 19 There is an URGENT need for RECONCILIATION between officials at RMBC and victims and survivors of CSE. I will write to officials to encourage them to help bring about this reconciliation by telling the TRUTH. The TRUTH is all many victims and survivors want. Please encourage these officials in their responses. 20 I hope that TODAY will be remembered for the fact that DEMOCRACY and TRUTH returned to Rotherham.