A ROW over members of the public installing flags in Somerset has reignited after it emerged the removal of unlawfully-placed banners is costing thousands of pounds a day.
During a meeting of Somerset Council’s Executive on Wednesday (December 3), Councillor Richard Wilkins, lead member for transport and waste services, responded to a question over the removal of flags from Somerset streets.
In his answer, Cllr Wilkins revealed removing unlawfully-placed flags was costing taxpayers “in the region of” £4,500 a day.
He said flags tied to street lights and other public property were in breach of the Highways Act and could put members of the public and council workers in danger.
“The cost to the taxpayer is in the region of £4,500 per day for removals due to the volume of people and equipment needed to make this activity safe,” he told the meeting.
“We would prefer to spend taxpayers’ money on other, more vital, road maintenance.
“We have been clear that we do not allow any flags to be attached to public property – doing so may put the public or council staff at risk.
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“Attaching any item, including flags, to a light column on highway land without the express permission of the highway authority is unlawful under the Highways Act and one that we have the ability to recover our costs for removal much like other authorities are.
“Anyone who wants to fly a flag from their own property is welcome to do so, but it’s important to remember that many residents do not support these unauthorised public displays.
“If we want Somerset to remain a welcoming and vibrant place then we need to ensure flags are used to foster belonging, not division.”
He also highlighted the impact of council workers receiving abuse as they worked to safely remove flags installed unlawfully – which could be dangerous.
“As an Executive, we are appalled to hear of the abuse and threatening behaviours directed at our staff and contractors while undertaking flag removals,” he added.
“There is no excuse for this behaviour.”
However, MP Sir Ashley Fox (Con, Bridgwater), said the removal of the flags was “idiotic behaviour”.
“Somerset Council is in a self declared financial emergency and we all know how shocking the state of many of our roads has become. Yet Councillor Richard Wilkins is spending £4,500 a day taking down flags that are usually replaced within a day or two.
“I am calling on Richard Wilkins to stop this idiotic behaviour – stop wasting public money on taking down flags, and use every available resource to improve the condition of our roads.”
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No wonder they have a deficit of £73m. This Council is a joke. Nothing gets done on our Estates and towns everywhere is filthy.