The committee upheld the decision made by the council’s cabinet earlier this month despite impassioned opposition from the SWAP (Save Watford’s Adventure Playgrounds) group, which offered to take on the running of the facilities as a charity.

Councillor Karen Collet of Woodside, told our undercover reporter it was all lies and mis-information which was printed in the Watford Observer regarding closure and demolishment of the site.

It turns out that the mis-information came from the Councillor in this conspiracy at the town hall.

Despite their presence at Thursday’s meeting - and at all others concerning the closure in the past - councillors admitted there had been no discussion with the passionate group about potential alternatives.

But our reporter had spoken tocampaingnres and they are proposing alternative plans of turning the playground into a Charity or self funding group. And they seemed certain this is a positive way of working with the local community and keeing play adventure alive.

First story Read new article here..

On the Libdems website it said...

“Free play is important to us, and this £1.25m investment will only improve our offering to families in Watford. Our new outdoor play facilities will be among the best in the country and will be open and accessible to children 24/7.

In fact the decision has been made to transform Watford Borough Council’s play services was upheld at a meeting of the Council’s scrutiny committee on the 25th July. The libdems say "This means a £1.25m investment in state-of-the-art play equipment at Harebreaks and Harwoods adventure playgrounds will get underway in autumn with the new facilities opening to local young people next spring."

Councillor Karen Collett, Portfolio Holder for Community who attended the meeting, said:

Austerity cuts from Watford Borough Council have put at risk play areas vital for child development and outreach for poor and marginalised communities across Watford and the surrounding areas.

Behind this campaign are an incredible team of parents like Sophie here on BBC Radio, and supporters like Libby who launched this e-petition to support the campaign.
Children are writing letters to the local Mayor Dorothy, since finding out they feel dissapointed that a place they love might go.

The Labour group of councillors are completely opposed to the removal of the supervision at the Adventure Play grounds. It is a cost cutting exercise to tune of £250,000 as mentioned in paragraph 4.1.1 in the Watford Borough Cabinet papers (4th July). The Liberal Democrats are going to get Veolia to maintain the new equipment, but Veolia can't even collect our rubbish right! There is no need to do this as the cost can be easily absorbed by the council.

Families protest to save the Harwood and Harebreaks adventure playgrounds outside @WatfordCouncil cabinet meeting. pic.twitter.com/rMkqKYQQHD

— Emma Duggan (@Emma_WatfordObs) July 4, 2016

Council Ban Parents From Public Playgrounds in Watford England

Parents have been banned from watching their own children enjoy two council-run adventure play areas because they have not been vetted by police.

Mums and dads have been told they will no longer be welcome in two play areas supervised by Watford Borough Council staff, from Monday (November 2).

Liberal Democrat council in Watford has turned the screws on parents and asked them to have a criminal records check for using a playground - because they might be paedos. The lefty parties New Labour and Liberals really are a bunch of f-ing freeks. New Labour idiots for bringing in SUCH stupid law in in the first place. But still 30% of people will vote to keep these New Labour criminals in power.
Mayor Dorothy Thornhill argued the council is merely enforcing Government policy at the play areas, in Vicarage Road and Leggatts Way respectively.