Flags to stay up around city despite mixed views

Flags being displayed around Wakefield can stay up as long as they do not cause "any issues"

A council has said St George's and union jack flags can stay up around a city despite mixed views from the public.

Wakefield Council launched a public consultation two months ago after the flags were displayed across the district, similar to many other areas of the UK.

About 3,100 people responded with a range of issues including the flags making them feel "excluded and intimated", while some people thought they had a "deep cultural significance".

Councillor Jack Hemingway told a cabinet meeting on Tuesday that the authority would allow the flags to stay up as long as they do not cause "any issues within communities".

Hemingway said any damaged or worn flags would be removed if they caused an obstruction or posed a safety risk to drivers, adding the flags should be "displayed with respect and maintained in a good condition".

"There were replies on a range of issues," he said.

"Some people absolutely love the flags, some people have concerns about them. It wasn't just clear steering one way or the other.

"But it's clear to all of us that flags mean a lot to so many people. There's a sense of national pride, there is a deep cultural significance."

However, Hemingway said some residents had reported "feeling excluded and intimated".

"Where flags aren't causing any issues within communities, we are intending for them to stay up for now," he said.

"We will remove flags where they cause a safety risk or an obstruction, if they are blocking drivers' views for example, or if we need to install items like hanging baskets or Christmas lights.

"We will also look to remove flags that are damaged or worn because our nation's symbol should be displayed with respect and maintained in a good condition."

The meeting also heard the council is due to publish updated guidance for flying flags on public buildings, particularly during national celebrations and events, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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