Reform told to rethink 'unclear' policy over flags to be flown at HQ

CALLS BY SCRUTINY COMMISSION

- By HANNAH RICHARDSON

REFORM UK has been told to rethink a controversial policy over which flags can fly outside Leicester-shire’s County Hall.

The fresh set of rules, set out by the newly-elected cabinet earlier this month, has prompted a back-lash from staff at the council who fear the changes “promote exclusion and marginalisation’.

Key concerns have revolved around community flags, such as the Pride flag and the disabled people's flag, which under previous rules were flown in the inner quadrangle of the authority's Glenfield headquarters for events and celebration days. The new rules mean they will not automatically be raised.

Instead, a decision on whether to fly the flag will be made by the chief executive “following consultation with the leader of the council’, the party's Dan Harrison, leading some to fear they will not be flown going forward.

The new policy was called in by the other parties on the council - the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Labour and Green Party - for further scrutiny.

Members of the scrutiny commission have now told Reform UK to look again at the policy, and to clarify exactly which flags will be able to be flown at County Hall.

Coun Harrison had told the commission the change was intended to simplify rules and “reduce confusion’: