Flags to fly above Town Hall after council approves plans - The Leamington Observer

Flags to fly above Town Hall after council approves plans

Leamington Editorial 30th Sep, 2016 Updated: 28th Oct, 2016   0

FLAGS will be flying above the town hall after proposals by Warwick District Council were given the green light.

There was outrage earlier this year when the council turned down a request to fly the rainbow flag above Leamington Town Hall on the day of Warwickshire Pride.

But the authority did a U-turn on their decision after a petition was launched and organisers of the annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) festival said they were being discriminated against, which council leader Andrew Mobbs denied.

The confusion around the issue of flag flying prompted the council to create a new policy, which was accepted at a recent meeting.




The policy includes flying the Union flag and Warwick District Council flag to name but a few.

It also says flags can be flown to celebrate specific days – including for Warwickshire Pride festival.


Festival organiser Daniel Browne told the Observer: “I am pleased the district council approved their flag policy, which included a recommendation for flying a rainbow flag during Warwickshire Pride.

“Our local authority has been far behind many other councils around the country for some time, so this shows progress.

“LGBT people are persecuted around the world and remain subjected to physical and verbal abuse on our streets around the UK too, including here in Warwick District.

“Flying a rainbow flag for these important events goes some way to demonstrating Warwick District Council’s commitment to equality and diversity, as well as reassuring the LGBT community that the council supports them.”

District councillor Barbara Weed had also previously asked about the council’s flag policy.

She says she is delighted has been set in place.

Speaking on behalf of the district Labour group, Coun Weed said: “After much discussion with officers in the summer it was made clear that a policy was needed.

“I’m delighted to see a policy of flying the flag above the Town Hall was adopted so quickly.

“I am particularly pleased to see that the Rainbow Flag shall be flown on the day of the Warwickshire Pride festival and on the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.”

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