An online petition has been launched against plans to install banners across the county which will first display the Union Flag before showing other promoted events.
West Bridgford resident Thandi Barrat who launched the petition said:
‘I was shocked to learn about the decision made by Reform UK to spend £75,000 of taxpayer money on erecting flags across Nottinghamshire. Given that only 37% of residents voted for Reform UK, this decision does not represent the majority. It feels like a divisive gesture that does not reflect the inclusive community spirit of Nottinghamshire.
‘This allocation of funds, which belong to all taxpayers, is concerning, especially when many local services are underfunded and require immediate attention. £75,000 could be better spent addressing urgent community needs such as improving education, healthcare, and public safety services.
‘The proposed flag installation is not only financially burdensome but also symbolically divisive. At a time when we should strive for unity, erecting partisan symbols only serves to deepen divisions among residents.
‘I urge local decision-makers and authorities to reconsider this expenditure. A transparent discussion involving the entire community must be held to decide on public spending priorities. We need to ensure that taxpayer money reflects the majority’s interests and benefits the community as a whole.
‘Please sign this petition to stop Reform UK from going ahead with this costly and divisive project. Let’s advocate for a more inclusive and prudent use of our resources in Nottinghamshire.’
A total of 164 Union Flag banners will be displayed in 82 locations across Rushcliffe, Broxtowe, Bassetlaw, Newark, Mansfield, Ashfield and Gedling.
The banners will be displayed at a cost of about £457 each – but council leader Cllr Mick Barton says the spend will also include replacing brackets, traffic management, and the use of cherry pickers.
In response to the announcement that banner flags would be installed council leader Cllr Mick Barton said: “It’s a long-term investment, with future plans to put banners up in their place to celebrate Nottinghamshire Day, the Tour of Britain, and other events.
“We’ve done this from a safety point of view, because we had brackets up there anyway that were coming to the end of their life, they were put up like 10 to 15 years ago,” he said.
“So we went out and tested all of them. All of them have got to come down. We’ve said while we are at it we are going to put some new ones up.
“The actual cost of the banners is a small cost. It is about £16,000. The brackets are £32,000. That is half of the £75,000.
“If I read [about the cost], if I weren’t in my job, I might think it was a lot of money. But there is a lot more involved than what is in the top-line figure.
“This is a long-term venture. They will last 10 to 15 years. They are multi-functional, it is not just about the Union Flag. Initially we are going to put the Union Flag in these brackets and it is going to go across the county.
“We shan’t just be leaving the Union Flag in there. Next year when it comes to Remembrance Day, we have budgeted for banners to be going in there. We are doing a big thing on fostering next year, foster family promotion work, we are going to be putting those banners in there. We’ve got lots of other celebration work.
“There is even a £10,000 in that budget to take them down at the end of life, which wasn’t put in by the previous administration that we have had to pick up now.”
Opposition groups have criticised the move.
Conservative county councillor Mike Adams said: “As Conservatives we love the Union Flag. I have one outside my house, but it should stay as donations.
“People have been doing this out of their own pockets. Why should a struggling family be contributing to this from their council tax?”
Nottinghamshire’s Labour group also argued Reform was “wasting our money”.
There will be no vote on the decision, but councillors have five days to object to the spend or suggest changes.
• Where are 120 Nottinghamshire locations where Union Flags will be installed?
• Union flag banners part of a ‘long-term investment’ says council leader
