Controversial Reform UK flag policy to be reviewed

A controversial policy around which flags are flown above town halls in Kirklees will be reconsidered by the council leader.

It comes after the Reform UK-led council approved a move meaning only the Union flag, Flag of St George and Civic Flag could be flown from town halls. LGTBQ+ pride flags and Windrush flags, which have previously been flown, are now not allowed.

Council leader Sarah Wood was called before a scrutiny committee, with councillors arguing there had been a "complete failure" in openness.

The committee recommended a consultation before any decision was taken on the flying of alternative flags and clarification on the policy only referring to the area's four town halls.

Liberal Democrat councillor Paolo Davies told the meeting that there had been a failure of openness and stakeholder engagement in the decision making process of the flag policy.

He said the process previously used, where the mayor, chief executive and council leader determined which flags were flown, did not need to be changed.

Wood disagreed and said the new system would reduce the need for "arbitrary and inconsistent decision making".

She added the policy would increase the number of people who were being represented by the flags flown on civic buildings.

During scrutiny, councillors heard how community groups which had previously had their flags flown from town halls had not been informed of the change.

Chair of the Panel, Conservative councillor Liz Smaje asked why the policy was restrictive when it comes to saints' flags and flags that represent local areas, like Dewsbury.

Wood said: "I haven't restricted other flags per se, the policy has no wording of banning, prohibition, restriction.

"The reason that I have enacted the policy is in order to bring more people in the borough of Kirklees under the representation of flags that are flown on civic buildings."

Smaje highlighted the Battle of Britain flag as another which has been flown previously and questioned whether this could be flown. Wood said this would not be the case.

She said: "It's not about a specific flag, it's about creating a policy whereby we don't have to make specific decisions on specific causes, beliefs. It applies to everything – not just the ones that I would be personally interested in or not."

The council leader clarified that the policy only applies to the four town halls in Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Batley and Cleckheaton.

This comes after a review of the policy was called earlier this month, with Liberal Democrat councillor Anthony Smith arguing "this is about our identity as an inclusive district".

The committee's recommendations have now been sent back to Wood - although she does not have to act on them.

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