Town hall Remembrance Sunday flags to fly after outcry

Aberdeenshire Council had initially said no flags would fly at Inverurie or Stonehaven town halls due to safety concerns

A local authority has confirmed that flags will fly at two of its town halls on Remembrance Sunday after public outcry when it appeared they would not.

Aberdeenshire Council initially said that it had safety concerns over accessing the flag poles at Inverurie and Stonehaven town halls and planned to fly the union flag at sites nearby.

The decision was described as "disgusting" and "disrespectful" on social media.

However, the council later said it would now employ external contractors in order to help raise and lower the flags safely at the two halls.

Council plans to fly the flag at a memorial garden in Inverurie and council offices in Stonehaven instead of at the town halls prompted criticism.

Following that backlash, the local authority confirmed that "responding to feedback from communities" external contractors would now be used for raising and lowering the flags.

A statement stressed that these were "temporary measures" with permanent arrangements to be explored in the future.

"Services will be exploring alternative permanent arrangements in both towns for the future," it said.

"Given the financial challenges placed on all council budgets, we are constantly looking to prioritise how and where to spend funding to support the best outcomes in our communities.

"It also reflects the very difficult challenges of managing and maintaining historic buildings, which are valued by our communities."