Meeting with DCMS 19/11/2007
silter
12/3/2007
These notes are intended as an expanded record of the meeting and are taken from the DCMS record. It was felt that those not present might find the DCMS notes difficult to follow and so an attempt has been made to put some more detail into the original DCMS document.
Notes of a meeting between the DCMS and Tsunami Support UK, Monday 19 November 2007
Attendees: Tessa Jowell MP
Frances MacLeod, HAU (Humanitarian Assistance Unit)
Emma Hawkings, HAU
Sara Mason, PO Representing Tsunami Support UK: Robert Brewster, Co-Chair
Steve Gill, Co-Chair
Michael Holland Points raised by Michael Holland, Robert Brewster and Steve Gill:
MH: Expressed his unhappiness in the process from the start. He feels that there has been no proper support from DCMS and has a number of issues with the governments performance, starting with the consulate service in Thailand. Michael feels there has been a lack of buy-in from Government. Tessa Jowell asked if we were still primarily concerned with the provision of a permanant memorial. SG: Agreed that this was an issue that concerned our membership greatly, but pointed out that we have for some time recognised the need to consult more widely. In order to achieve this we need help with getting in touch with those affected. We are operating on a very restricted list of those affected and we know this by the fact that each of us has knowledge of people affected but not contacted by DCMS. The largest their contact list has been is 300 people and this was only achieved at the last mailing for the consultation over the Battersea site. SG: We are keen for a democratic process. This aim is very difficult to achieve without a more complete contact list. RB: Robert widened the conversation further by again raising the issue of PTSD and the need, as in many other countries, to have a register of counsellors who have experience in this field and who can be called upon to deal with people affected by major disasters. Robert felt that there was likely to be an increased need for this type of help and that it was utterly ineffectual to leave the response in the hands of the health service. When the time came for someone to avail themselves of counselling, the last thing they needed was to be placed on a waiting list that might stretch many months. The issue is far wider than the tsunami, but needs greater attention from government. RB: Robert also made a plea, seeking secretarial support for the group. In the event that we are to reach out to more people and that we may have a role in a memorial project, it was felt that we; the members would be unable to give the time that might be needed to service the administrative requirements of these efforts. MH: Michael returned to the governments performance and stated that it was wrong that only one choice was given for the memorial. He asked for recognition from Tessa Jowell and from DCMS, that this was the case. Frances McCloud was ready to agree that there was more that should have been done without the need for our group to have to complain. RB: Robert reminded Tessa that there is a valuable bank of knowledge from the survivors on trauma that should be utilised by government. It would seem foolish to waste this resource. We would also like to see regular updates on steps promised to address the issues experienced by tsunami survivors. We want to feel that our experiences have not been for nothing. MH: Michael referred to the two reports that had been produced. He was not clear why there had been two. He reiterated the point regarding the poor attempts by government, to contact those affected by the tsunami. He also felt that a broad enough range of survivors had not been contacted. MH: It was suggested that Tessa would be happy to attend a TS(uk) meeting and Michael personally welcomed TJ's willingness to attend a TS(UK) meeting. SG pointed out that our AGM was due to take place in March and we would be very happy to have Tessa there. SG:Returning to the issue of our experiences and the benefits of being able to share these with our fellow Survivors and families, SG said that there is real value in survivors and families talking to each other and that he had found there is a level of understanding that is not the same if not affected. It makes it so much easier to talk if it's to someone coming from a similar experience. We can share without having to explain to one another. Memorial: SG: On the subject of the memorial Steve said that we have learned from our visit to Victoria Tower Gardens, that the place will very much influence the type of memorial that can be sited there. Whatever venue is picked will affect whatever the memorial will be. We need to be able to tell people what is possible in each space and so a consultation must include this type of information. All agreed that Brompton cemetery, as a possible memorial site, would not be suitable. MH: Michael was keen to know what undertaking was being offered on funding from government. He drew a parallel with the funding offered to the 7/7 memorial. At the same time he expressed confidence that the families will not shy away from fundraising. To this end we are continuing with our efforts to establish charitable status for TS. MH: Michael said he would work to secure pro bono work for developing the memorial. This would reduce the cost of the planning and allow a higher proportion of the funding to be spent on the actual memorial. All agreed that the aim would be to have a firm timescale in which to operate. It was suggested that we should aim to complete the memorial by the 2008 anniversary, but it was accepted that this was an extremely ambitious deadline.
Points raised by Tessa Jowell and HAU: TJ: Tessa did not accept that there has been a lack of buy-in from government, but acknowledged that there had been a disconnect between FCO & HAU, in the immediate aftermath. FM: Frances said that the HAU had published the Government's response to the NAO report in July. This drew together the lessons learnt and what had been done to improve practice and procedures since then. She said that The HAU would be happy to report back to TS(UK) and involve them in further follow up. It was not clear whether this meant consultation or simply better communication. FM: Frances was also keen to take forward the idea of a carefully worded advert to try and contact people. This was a way of getting around the problems that might be associated with the data protection act. TJ: Tessa said she would be happy to come to the TS(UK) AGM on March 08 if they would like her to. RB and SG thought that would be helpful. TJ: Tessa acknowledged that the process of developing the memorial so far had not been handled very well as only one location had been offered. FM: Victoria Tower Gardens, and Natural History Museum are now confirmed options. DCMS will have further discussions with The Royal Parks(TRP) and will push hard to try and secure an alternative to Brompton Cemetery. TJ: Tessa agreed to do what she can to increase the government commitment. This would require discussions across governments. TJ: Tessa offered to meet again before Christmas, although this was felt to be dependant on there being anything new forthcoming, to for the basis of another discussion. Action Points: TS(UK) to send a short letter outlining what secretarial support they need to HAU. HAU will then progress. HAU to establish what lessons have been learnt and applied in practice and to send regular updates. HAU to help TS(UK) to build up their database HAU & TS(UK) to take forward ad in a sensitive way. TJ & HAU to look at increasing funding for memorial
Agreed to resolve issues before the anniversary on 26 December. Since this meeting there has been a suggestion made, that we participate in an item on radio 4's Womens Hour. This would serve as an advert of our existence and a chance to discuss our aims. Tessa Jowell would participate along with a member or members of TS(uk). A further meeting to look at what might be possible at The Natural History Museum, is also being arranged
I hope this reflects what people remember of the discussion and helps keep everyone up to speed
Steve Gill 3rd Dec 2007
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