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Row over Reform-led council's new 'British values' flag rules | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A LGBTQ+ flag was flying outside County Hall | A LGBTQ+ flag was flying outside County Hall |
Reform's decision to scrap Leicestershire County Council's flag flying policy has been formally challenged by opposition parties. | Reform's decision to scrap Leicestershire County Council's flag flying policy has been formally challenged by opposition parties. |
The party approved the move during its first cabinet meeting on 12 June, discontinuing a previously agreed schedule of flags to be displayed outside County Hall in Glenfield, including those to mark LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Windrush Day and others. | The party approved the move during its first cabinet meeting on 12 June, discontinuing a previously agreed schedule of flags to be displayed outside County Hall in Glenfield, including those to mark LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Windrush Day and others. |
New Reform council leader Dan Harrison said the changes to the protocol were "to celebrate British values that unite us all". | New Reform council leader Dan Harrison said the changes to the protocol were "to celebrate British values that unite us all". |
However, opposition leaders have called the decision in for further scrutiny, saying they did not believe it had been "thought through properly". | However, opposition leaders have called the decision in for further scrutiny, saying they did not believe it had been "thought through properly". |
Council leader Dan Harrison said staff "could always" fly flags at home | Council leader Dan Harrison said staff "could always" fly flags at home |
Under the new rules, Harrison said the union jack flag and the county council's own flag would fly permanently on two of the three flagpoles outside County Hall. | Under the new rules, Harrison said the union jack flag and the county council's own flag would fly permanently on two of the three flagpoles outside County Hall. |
The St George's flag would fly from the third pole, he said, unless it was replaced with the Lord Lieutenant's flag when they were in the building. | The St George's flag would fly from the third pole, he said, unless it was replaced with the Lord Lieutenant's flag when they were in the building. |
A fourth flagpole in County Hall's quadrangle could be used to mark events such as Armed Forces Day, Commonwealth Day and Armistice Day. | A fourth flagpole in County Hall's quadrangle could be used to mark events such as Armed Forces Day, Commonwealth Day and Armistice Day. |
Decisions on flying all other flags are to be delegated to council chief executive John Sinnott after discussion with Harrison. | Decisions on flying all other flags are to be delegated to council chief executive John Sinnott after discussion with Harrison. |
There are three flagpoles outside County Hall and one in the County Hall quadrangle | There are three flagpoles outside County Hall and one in the County Hall quadrangle |
The decision prompted a joint letter from representatives of LGBTQ+, disabled and BAME staff who said they had not been properly consulted on the change. | The decision prompted a joint letter from representatives of LGBTQ+, disabled and BAME staff who said they had not been properly consulted on the change. |
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said the decision would be subject to further debate on Tuesday. | |
A call-in announcement, signed by Conservative Deborah Taylor, Liberal Democrat Michael Mullaney, Labour's Jewel Miah and Naomi Bottomley for the Green Party, said the decision was "not clear". | A call-in announcement, signed by Conservative Deborah Taylor, Liberal Democrat Michael Mullaney, Labour's Jewel Miah and Naomi Bottomley for the Green Party, said the decision was "not clear". |
According to the LDRS, it states: "It cannot be left to a weekly decision. Neither can the staff be left without any clear direction. | According to the LDRS, it states: "It cannot be left to a weekly decision. Neither can the staff be left without any clear direction. |
"This decision was weakened by the current positive position of our approved flag flying policy." | "This decision was weakened by the current positive position of our approved flag flying policy." |
Harrison previously told the LDRS that staff were "protected by law" and said they "could always" fly flags at home. | Harrison previously told the LDRS that staff were "protected by law" and said they "could always" fly flags at home. |
"I will meet with their groups and assure them that their health, their safety, the [working] environment will be safe," he added. | "I will meet with their groups and assure them that their health, their safety, the [working] environment will be safe," he added. |
"Nobody would ever disrespect anybody because there's a law to protect them, and we as a county council will guide the way to protect these people." | "Nobody would ever disrespect anybody because there's a law to protect them, and we as a county council will guide the way to protect these people." |
Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. | Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. |
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