The council has published some guidance on its policy around flags on council-owned assets
Example of Union flag tied to lamp post in Liverpool in October(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Council workers have been threatened over the removal of flags in one part of Merseyside. Over the last few months, a number of Union Jack and St George’s cross flags have been removed from various locations, according to Knowsley Council, which reiterated its commitment to the “safety and wellbeing” of those commissioned to carry out the work.
In September, Knowsley Council published guidance on its policy around flags on council-owned assets, which confirmed that workers acting on behalf of the local authority had been threatened whilst carrying out their duties.
The guidance stated: “The council understands that residents’ may wish to show their patriotism through public displays, but public safety is our priority.
“Consequently, the council will remove any such flags or displays where they pose a health and safety risk (such that lights may be obscured, a street column could be damaged); are found as part of routine maintenance and prior approval has not been sought; or have, in the council’s opinion, political or racist undertones or are located to cause community tension.
“Residents can of course fly flags on their own property – we just ask that they ensure that in doing so, they do not cause any safety concerns or infringe on other people’s property. If your property is a listed building, you should, in the first instance, check with the planning team.
“In addition, the council is aware that threats have been made to personnel (acting on behalf of the council) involved in the removal of flags installed without the council’s permission.
“This is completely unacceptable. Any such incidents of staff being threatened will be reported to the appropriate authority and the council will seek that the strongest penalties are imposed on those responsible.”
Approximately six weeks after this update (October 13), a member of the public submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Knowsley Council about the removal of flags from lamp posts on Hillside Road in Huyton.
The local authority published its response to the FOI on Monday (November 10), confirming it removed several flags from Hillside Road under the terms outlined in the guidance statement issued in September.
In relation to public safety, Knowsley Council’s policy on removing flags from council-owned assets is broadly in line with the majority of other councils in the Liverpool city region.
A spokesperson told the Liverpool ECHO: “A number of Union Jack and St George’s cross flags have been removed from public assets in various locations across Knowsley.
“The council has always been clear about the circumstances in which it will seek to remove flags, which have been displayed without permission. This includes where they pose a risk to health and safety and also in situations where they are causing community tension.
“The safety and wellbeing of our community is, and will always be, our priority. This also applies to those who are removing the flags and any threats made to them will be reported to the appropriate authorities for action.”
For the latest news and breaking news visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/news
Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @LivECHONews – the official Liverpool ECHO Twitter account – real news in real time.
We’re also on Facebook/theliverpoolecho – your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.