Reform-led council slammed over plan to spend £75,000 on flags
Reform England-led Nottinghamshire County Council has spent £75,000 on new flag installations, prompting criticism that the money could be better spent on services for local people.
The 164 flags are planned to be displayed in 82 locations, costing the council £475 each; This will include brackets, traffic management and the use of cherry pickers.
Council leader Mick Barton said: “We think it’s the right thing to do and it makes us feel good, which is why we’re doing it.
“When people put up all these St George and Union flags they won’t last forever… so we thought we’d support the public in whatever they want, but in the long term we could use it for all sorts of events across the borough.”
Mr Barton said flags would also be displayed for Remembrance Day, Armistice Day, Nottinghamshire Day, Christmas and Easter, among other celebrations.
The decision was criticized by others on the council, who felt it contradicted Reform UK’s promise to reduce wasteful spending if elected.
Labor councilor Helen Faccio, representing Toton, Chilwell and Attenborough, said: BBC was “shocked but not surprised” by the announcement.
He said: “We heard that when Reformation came to power they would make council services more efficient and reduce wasteful spending.
“Then we hear about big spending on flags. My residents say we should spend the money on filling potholes or investing in youth clubs.”
Conservative councilor Sam Smith told the BBC: “Spending £75,000 of taxpayers’ money on flying flags seems a bit ridiculous to me. It should be spent on services.”
But Mr Barton believes flags are not an example of wasteful spending and says the upcoming efficiency review will save the council millions of pounds.
“The money came from efficiencies we have already delivered,” he said, adding that “there have been no cuts to services” to fund the £75,000 fund.
Earlier this year Reform UK announced it would send its first unit to cut “wasteful spending” in councils, similar to Elon Musk’s Department for Government Efficiency.
The party’s leader, Nigel Farage, said: “As promised, we have created a UK Doge to identify and reduce waste of taxpayers’ money. Our team will use the latest technology and deliver real value to voters.”
The flags will be displayed in all areas of Nottinghamshire, including Rushcliffe, Broxtowe, Bassetlaw, Newark, Mansfield, Ashfield and Gedling. The resolution does not have to be voted on, but council members can object to it within the next five days.
