New flags policy pushed by council

A new policy on flags on public buildings is being developed by Plymouth City Council.

The Labour-run council says it wanted to make the process of applying for permission to fly flags on council-owned buildings and light up buildings such as Smeaton's Tower, more "consistent".

Flags have proved controversial in the last six months with St George's Cross and Union flags appearing on lampposts across the country.

A Reform UK spokesman said the council policy on flags was meant as a distraction from the authority's financial problems.

Chris Penberthy, cabinet member for housing, cooperative development and communities on Plymouth City Council, said: "It was just confusing for everyone and it was very much, 'if you knew someone you might get something' and that, to me, doesn't seem fair."

The council is responsible for about 60 flagpoles around the city and is also in charge of Smeaton's Tower which has been lit up in various colours to mark occasions such as success for Plymouth Argyle.

Peter Gold, Reform UK's spokesman for south west Devon, said the new policy on flags was "a diversion tactic".

He said: "The city's falling apart and they just want to distract people's attention away from the real issues."

It emerged in November that auditors found "significant weaknesses" in Plymouth City Council's financial arrangements, warning that it may have to cut some discretionary services.

Penberthy said the council had started work on these plans before flags started to appear on lampposts in the summer and said the flags policy was completely separate to any financial issues.

If the policy is approved by the council's cabinet later in December it will come into effect in mid-January.

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