‘Silenced’ councillors accused of ‘gagging themselves’ in democracy row over town centre playground
The row surrounding the revamped Fareham playground continues
A row over councillors being “silenced” has deepened after opposition members were accused of “gagging themselves”.
The clash was mentioned at Fareham Borough Council’s Executive meeting on November 2, following criticism from Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors over speaking rules at full council.
The dispute began after a motion about fencing around the West Street play area was not allowed to be debated at full council on October 22.
Conservative Cllr Fred Birkett said he had read reports about councillors claiming they had been gagged and unable to give their views.
He said: “They seem to be gagging themselves by not turning up to Executive meetings to discuss the very, very important central delivery of the council.
“I find it very disappointing that they only believe that full council is the only meeting in which they can make comments.”
He added that opposition councillors could make “very good points” and said that was how democracy should work.
Council leader Cllr Simon Martin backed his comments and criticised remarks made about council staff, who he said were unable to respond to criticism on social media.
He said: “It is not acceptable.”
.jpeg?trim=0,0,0,0&width=640&quality=65)
But Labour Cllr Gemma Furnivall, who represents Fort Fareham, said there was an important difference between speaking at full council and at an Executive meeting.
She said opposition councillors have to ask the chairman for permission to speak at Executive, while full council gives them the chance to address all 32 councillors.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service on Tuesday, Cllr Furnivall said: “There is a democratic value in all of the councillors hearing things and being informed at full council.
“People can legitimately ask what the point is of having 32 elected councillors.”
.jpeg?trim=0,0,0,0&width=640&quality=65)
She added that she attends Executive meetings when issues she wants to speak about are on the agenda.
The row follows criticism after Cllr Furnivall and Liberal Democrat Cllr Kirsten Wiltshire were unable to debate a motion calling for options for enclosing the West Street play area to be assessed.
The motion was instead referred to the Executive because the playground decision fell within its responsibilities.
Opposition councillors subsequently said they felt “silenced”, while the council maintained that its standing orders meant the motion could not be debated at full council.