Nottinghamshire County Council, now under Reform UK leadership, is drawing sharp criticism for approving a £75,000 spend on new flag installations – a move branded “wasteful” by opposition councillors and locals alike.
A total of 164 flags are planned for 82 locations, with each installation reportedly costing £475. This figure includes not just the flags themselves, but brackets, traffic management, and the use of cherry pickers.
Council leader Mick Barton defended the project, stating: “We just feel it’s the right thing to do, and it gives that feel-good factor, that’s what we’re doing it for.
When people are putting all these St George and Union flags up, they’re not going to last forever…so we thought we would support the public in what they want, but long-term we can use it for all sorts of events that’re going across the county.”
Festive Intentions or Flawed Priorities?
According to Mr Barton, the flags will serve more than just a decorative purpose. They’re intended for use on key occasions throughout the year – Remembrance Day, Armistice Day, Nottinghamshire Day, Christmas, and Easter among them.
But the backlash has been swift and fierce.
Councillors and residents say the decision flies in the face of Reform UK’s own pledge to cut “wasteful spending” if elected. Instead, critics argue, the funds could be redirected to struggling frontline services.
Labour councillor Helen Faccio, who represents Toton, Chilwell and Attenborough, told the BBC: “We heard when Reform came to power, that they would make council services more efficient and cut wasteful spending.
Then we hear about huge spending on flags. My residents would say we should spend money filling potholes or investing in youth clubs.”
Conservative councillor Sam Smith echoed the sentiment: “To spend £75,000 of taxpayers’ money on putting flags up seems a bit ridiculous to me. That should be spent on services.”
In an area where potholes riddle the roads and youth services face constant cuts, many are asking – could the money have made a real difference elsewhere?
Barton Defends Decision, Cites Savings
Mr Barton insists the funding isn’t diverting money from essential services.
“The money has come from efficiencies that we have already made. There has been no cuts of services” to bankroll the £75,000 initiative,” he said,
Still, with an efficiency review on the horizon, one Mr Barton says could save the council millions, the optics of the flag expenditure have raised eyebrows.
Reform’s Anti-Waste Mission Questioned
Earlier this year, Reform UK announced its first dedicated unit to eliminate wasteful public spending, likening it to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (Doge).
Party leader Nigel Farage declared: “As promised, we have created a UK Doge to identify and cut wasteful spending of taxpayer money. Our team will use cutting-edge technology and deliver real value for voters.”
Now, that mission is being tested.
Flags Flying High – But For How Long?
The flags will go up in every district of Nottinghamshire, covering Rushcliffe, Broxtowe, Bassetlaw, Newark, Mansfield, Ashfield, and Gedling.
Though the plan doesn’t require a council-wide vote, councillors do have five days to formally object.
With public services under pressure and promises of leaner governance, some see this flag funding as tone-deaf. For others, it’s a harmless boost to local pride.
But with tensions rising and scrutiny intensifying, it’s clear this decision has left more than just flags flapping in the wind.
