Last week’s full council meeting saw cross-party support for the adoption of a charter for families bereaved through public tragedy, after a Labour group motion received cross party support.

The motion, moved by Medway Labour and Co-operative Leader Cllr Vince Maple, committed the Council to 6 key pledges in the event of a public tragedy. This follows the Kent Fire and Rescue Service also agreeing the charter, ensuring that the organisations learn lessons from the Hillsborough disaster and its aftermath to ensure bereaved families are considered.

The six pledges were supported by both parties and it was agreed that the Charter would be adopted by the Council.

Leader of the Medway Labour group and the member who proposed the motion, Cllr Vince Maple, said, ‘What we saw following the tragic events at Hillsborough with the establishment closing ranks must never happen again. I’m really pleased to see this charter adopted by the Council unanimously. It is vital that as an organisation we learn lessons from public tragedies, particularly in terms of preserving the perspective of bereaved families

‘I hope we see other public bodies across Kent and Medway adopt the Charter in the coming months.’

Cllr Siju Adeoye, the Labour councillor who seconded the motion added, ‘It’s great to see the unanimous support for this motion which solidifies an unwavering commitment to the families of those bereaved through public tragedy.

‘It is vital that as an authority we continue to learn lessons through crisis response, and this Charter is an excellent commitment to this.’