Suffolk councillor criticises rule change over pride flags outside council offices
Councillor Richard Winch says its the 'wrong thing to do'
A top councillor has criticised the county council’s rule change as the ‘wrong thing to do’ as the rainbow Pride flag will no longer fly outside its offices.
Last month, Suffolk County Council changed its approach to which flags are flown outside its Endeavour House headquarters, in Russell Road, Ipswich.
The authority wants to reflect the traditions and values of the Suffolk community but will not promote political, social, religious, awareness, commercial interests, or advocacy campaigns.
Unlike recent years, this means the rainbow flag will no longer be flown during Pride month outside the authority’s offices, which are shared with Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils.
A spokesperson for both district authorities said as tenants, they had no say over the decision, but would continue to promote and celebrate equality and diversity within the workforce and communities all year round.
Cllr Richard Winch, deputy leader in Mid Suffolk, expanded on his authority’s position, saying the decision was ‘just the wrong thing to do’ and would not have been supported.
He said: “I’m really quite puzzled why the county council would think their flag policy is a priority, given the various issues they’ve got on their plate at the moment. Our reaction was more one of bewilderment.”
Babergh District Council did not provide any further details.
Earlier this month, the county council said it needed clarity and consistency, given the number of requests it received each year, but would always consider flag flying requests if they matched its new approach.
Despite the new approach being adopted ahead of Pride month, it said the decision was not specific to or targeted at the Pride flag, though the authority concluded it did not fit its new approach.
The Union and county council flags will be flown permanently, with exceptions for Suffolk Day, St Edmund’s Day, Armed Forces Day and in response to international incidents.
The Ukrainian national flag will continue outside the council’s HQ until further notice.
Cllr Neil MacDonald, Ipswich’s leader, said the borough council would continue to fly the Pride flag without thinking twice about it.
He said: “I don’t quite know why they’ve done a u-turn on it, I think the tolerance and the acceptance have never been higher, it seems to be a backwards step.”
Cllr Cliff Waterman, the leader in West Suffolk, said the authority would fly the rainbow flag as usual and stressed there were more pressing issues to get behind, including the state of roads, public transport, and local government reorganisation.
He said: “I do think it’s sad that with all the problems they’re facing at the moment, SCC are wasting time and effort in trying to make their flag policy a political issue.
“Local people can rest assured that West Suffolk Council will continue to operate in the best interests of all the residents and people of the area, despite the County Council’s increasingly politicised and erratic behaviour.”
An East Suffolk Council spokesperson said it had no plans to review its approach to flags.
A spokesperson for Suffolk County Council said: “Our previous approach to flying flags needed to be standardised to bring clarity and consistency to our decision-making.
“Flag flying requests will always be considered but will need to be consistent with our approach, including not promoting political, social, religious or commercial interests, awareness or advocacy campaigns.
“Despite claims to the contrary, this approach is not specific to Pride Month and the county council continues to meet its legal duties under relevant equalities legislation.”