Reform UK has confirmed it will go ahead with plans to scrap the previous administration’s flag flying policy at Leicestershire County Council.
The party discontinued a previously agreed schedule of flags due to be displayed outside County Hall in Glenfield during its first cabinet meeting on 12 June, which included those to mark LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Windrush Day and others.
But the issue was referred back to the cabinet after the authority’s scrutiny commission said the council should specify which flags would be flown on the fourth pole in the quadrangle.
It was discussed at a meeting on Thursday, when Reform councillor Michael Squires said the new policy promoted “beautiful patriotic flags”.
The cabinet then confirmed the union flag would be flown from the flagpole, which will also be use to mark events such as Armed Forces Day, Commonwealth Day and Armistice Day.
Flags recognising “exceptional national or international events” can also be flown from this pole, if agreed by the chief executive in consultation with the council leader, the authority said.
Last month, 102 social workers at the council signed a letter to the new Reform UK cabinet stating they felt flying community flags was a “vitally important” symbol from the authority that it was “supportive of marginalised groups”.
The letter continued: “Removing these flags promotes exclusion and marginalisation – it implies people represented by those flags are not welcome.”
Squires told the cabinet added concerns had been raised by BAME, LGBT and disability staff networks in relation to the public sector equality duty.
He added: “As a member who is gay, mixed race and has autism, I belong to all three groups as a member who has protected characteristics.
“My view is the most inclusive policy for everybody in the council, staff, officers and members, would be to display politically neutral flags which demonstrates the council’s commitment to equality for everybody.”
The authority said the three poles at the front of the building would fly the union flag, the county council’s own flag and the St George’s flag, or the Lord Lieutenant’s flag – in line with the previous protocol.
Council leader Dan Harrison said: “The new approach is the simplest and most inclusive. It represents every single person in this county and means we can mark our heritage and culture.
“Let me be clear – this is not about division, it’s about celebrating values which unite us all. We remain absolute in our commitment to not tolerating abuse or discrimination.”