Flags put up around Wakefield to ‘stay up for now’ as 3,000 respond to council survey
However Wakefield Council says flags will have to come down if they pose a safety risk - or block road signs
Wakefield Council leaders have said national flags displayed on public property would be allowed to “stay up for now” after more then 3,000 residents responded to a consultation over the issue.
The local authority’s deputy leader said flags would continue to be removed if they caused an obstruction or posed a safety risk to drivers.
Councillor Jack Hemingway told a meeting that damaged or worn flags would also be removed by council staff, adding: “Our nation’s symbol should be displayed with respect and maintained in a good condition.”
The council launched a public consultation two months ago after St George and union jack flags were displayed across the district, similar to many other areas of the UK.
A council cabinet meeting heard a full report on the survey, which was completed by around 3,100 people, would be published later this week.
Coun Hemingway said: “There was an absolutely incredible response. More than 3,000 replies just goes to show the strength of feelings on this issue.
“There were replies on a range of issues. 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”
Coun Hemingway said some residents had reported “feeling excluded and intimated.”
He added: “We have to hear that as a council. We are here to represent everybody.
“It’s an emotive topic and it was absolutely the right thing for us to do to listen to residents’ views before taking action.”
Summarising the outcome of the consultation, Coun Hemingway said: “Where flags aren’t causing any issues within communities, we are intending for them to stay up for now.
“But we are asking everyone to respect their neighbours and act in a safe manner when these flags are going up.
“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 heard the council also planned to publish an updated protocol for flying flags on public buildings.
He said: “We already fly the union jack, the St George’s flag on St George’s Day and the Yorkshire flag on Yorkshire Day.
“We will make sure everyone understands the council’s approach all year round.
“We will be sharing clear guidance for communities on how to display flags and bunting during national celebrations and, importantly, we will keep working with all communities to make Wakefield a place where everyone feels safe and welcome.
“We will encourage anyone experiencing hate crime or intimidation to report it because, let’s be clear, hate has no place in our district.”