The boy wanted to ask a follow-up question about ball games being banned on council estates but his dad said he was too “uncomfortable” to do so, reports Nick Clark, Local Democracy Reporter

Newham Town Hall with (inset left) a 'no ball games' sign and (inset right) council chair Nate Higgins — Newham Town Hall with (inset left) a ‘no ball games’ sign and (inset right) council chair Nate Higgins

The chair of Newham Council last night (Monday 5th) refused to allow a question on behalf of an autistic boy – unless he asked the question himself.

Parent Karl Limpert said he wanted to ask about ‘no ball game’ signs on council estates on behalf of his son Kayden. He said Kayden was uncomfortable in the council chamber and didn’t want to approach the rostrum.

However, chair Nate Higgins, a Green Party councillor, said council rules were “really specific” that “the person asking the question has to ask it”.

Kayden had sent in a written a question about ‘no ball games’ signs ahead of the council meeting, where he then had an opportunity to ask a follow-up question in person.

The written question asked why the council wanted to discourage ball games on its estates.

It pointed out that ground floor residents of maisonettes could use their gardens as they like, but upper-floor residents can only use communal areas.

Kayden asked: “Why does the council display ‘no ball games’ signs across borough estates to discourage ball games exclusively, when children can equally engage in other outdoor play like skating, scootering, cycling, jumping on space hoppers, or using a paddling pool right next to the sign, but are banned from having even pit balls or beach balls in their paddling pool, policies that directly restrict the upper-floor residents?”

Senior Labour councillor John Gray, responsible for housing, gave a written reply, published shortly before the meeting.

In his written answer, Cllr Gray said there was no “blanket” ban on playing outside.

He said many of the signs are old and are “advisory as well as meant as a deterrent”. He said the council only takes enforcement action if ball games caused a nuisance to neighbours, or could be considered antisocial behaviour.

Cllr Gray said: “The purpose of any signage is therefore to encourage considerate use of shared spaces, not to prevent children and young people from enjoying outdoor play.”

Kayden had wanted to ask Cllr Gray a further follow-up question at the meeting. To do this, he would have had to speak from a rostrum in front of 60 councillors, in the middle of a large hall.

Dad Karl asked the council to make a “reasonable adjustment” to allow him to ask the follow-up question on his son’s behalf. He said: “Kaden is autistic, he’s very uncomfortable in here. He doesn’t want to come to the rostrum.”

However, Cllr Higgins said the council’s rules wouldn’t allow for this. He said that someone could only ask a question on another’s behalf if they gave 48 hours’ notice.

Cllr Higgins said he had to follow the council’s rules, even if he personally disagreed with them. He said it was “incredibly frustrating” that he couldn’t allow Karl to ask a question on Kayden’s behalf.

He said: “I’m really sorry, but our rules are really specific – it has to be the person who asked the question.

“My job isn’t to decide whether I like the rules as they’re written or not – in many cases I don’t. My role is to follow the rules.”

Cllr Higgins said he thought “there probably ought to be provision in the case of people with disabilities” and that he would raise the issue during a review of council rules.

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