Derby City Council removes 950 national flags as calls for inquiry refused

Derby City Council House (Credit: LDRS)

By Nigel Slater – Local Democracy Reporting Service

Derby City Council says it has so far removed approximately 950 flags from city streets after they were put up to represent national pride amid concerns of illegal immigration.

The local authority has also refused calls for an inquiry to be held into its controversial decision to take flags down from street furniture a few months ago.

It comes just weeks after a Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed the city council paid at least £1,400 for security guards because of “threatening behaviour and threats towards contractors simply doing their jobs”.

Union Jack and St George England flags were put up across the country as a symbol of patriotism in the wake of growing concerns of illegal immigration in the UK and small boat crossings.

Flags were put on people’s houses but also on council-owned lampposts and street lights.

At first, the Labour-led Derby City Council said it was not going to exercise “discretionary legal powers to remove flags or bunting that had been placed on street furniture”.

But in September the authority changed course, saying it was “time to bring this campaign of flag flying to an end” – a statement which sparked huge controversy within the city.

Councillor Sarah Chambers, a member of the Labour cabinet, said it “needed to begin clearing lampposts for future seasonal and commemorative events”.

Since then, city council leader Nadine Peatfield has faced questions about the flag removal operation, including costs and health and safety.

Councillor Peatfield said the cost of removing flags was within an “ongoing contract in place for the maintenance of our street lighting”.

This month the leader was asked if there would be a flag removal inquiry and whether health and safety concerns to justify the flag removals were reasonable.

The council leader said it was “essential” for flags to be removed, which “impede visibility for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, or increase the risk of accidents or compromise the safety of the public”.

But no specific answer was given as to whether an inquiry would be held. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) sought further clarification.

A Derby City Council spokesperson released a statement confirming the council would not hold an inquiry.

A spokesperson said: “As part of our statutory responsibility to keep public spaces safe and well-maintained, we are continuing to remove unauthorised flags from lampposts.

“To date, approximately 950 flags have been removed.

“The decision to remove flags was clearly communicated before the process began, therefore the council does not intend to carry out an inquiry into this matter. Our priority remains the safety and upkeep of our public spaces.”