“We were silenced" disappointment over a lack of debate in town centre playground fence row
Councillors say they were ‘silenced’ in Fareham playground fence row
Opposition councillors say they were “silenced” after being stopped from debating calls for a fence around a children’s playground.
The motion over the West Street play area in Fareham town centre was brought to Fareham Borough Council’s full council meeting on October 22 following weeks of concerns about its open design.
However, as previously reported by The News, councillors were not allowed to debate it because the original decision over the play area was not made at full council.
Councillors were told on October 19 that the motion had to be referred to the Executive – a group of councillors responsible for most council services and functions – which had made the original decision.
The motion was proposed by Labour councillor Gemma Furnivall and seconded by Liberal Democrat Cllr Kirsten Wiltshire.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Wiltshire said: “We were silenced, which is disappointing.
“Everyone now knows the strength of feeling before it goes to the Executive.”
Four residents spoke about the playground at the meeting, raising concerns particularly about children with special educational needs who may run off or have limited awareness of danger.
Cllr Wiltshire said residents had approached her with their fears and added that councillors had been asking to see the play area’s risk assessment for around 10 weeks.
Cllr Furnivall said: “It is very disappointing we were not allowed to speak. As opposition councillors, you do not get many chances to raise things.”
She said her son is profoundly autistic and argued the dispute was an equalities issue.
She added: “Having a fence around the play area doesn’t make it less inclusive.
“I reject this idea that I am causing some sort of problem. I want to be part of making Fareham better.”
The playground has been at the centre of a safety row since September, when parents raised concerns that the redesigned play area would not have a perimeter fence.
A petition calling for fencing attracted more than 1,000 signatures.
The council has defended the open design, saying the absence of fencing was intended to create a more welcoming and inclusive space.
At the meeting, executive member for leisure and community Cllr Frair Burgess said the playground had passed the required independent safety inspections and complied with relevant RoSPA requirements.
The motion asks the Executive to assess options for an enclosure, including designs, costs and accessibility considerations. It was referred to the Executive for consideration.