NORTH Tawton Town Council has rejected a proposal to implement a blanket ban on flags from December to March.

Resident Christian Martin wrote an open letter to the local authority saying the suggested changes would have included the end of the council’s recent tradition of flying the Pride flag for LGBTQ+ History Month in February.

Councillors were told that the changes were proposed for health and safety reasons, as flags had fallen or blown away in strong winter winds in the past, but Mr Martin highlighted that the policy already in effect included a number of health and safety provisions, including the removal of any flags flying in wind speeds over 25mph.

Councillors did not refer to the Pride flag during the discussion and instead pointed out that a blanket ban would mean flags could neither be flown at other occasions during the winter, such as Commonwealth Day, nor in the event of unexpected situations such as the death of a member of the Royal Family.

Cllr Hannah Hyde said: “I don’t think that every single day the risk is going to be high but I agree that when the wind is high they should be lowered. We should have common sense and discretion.”

Following the discussion, councillors resolved to allow flags to fly all year round, provided they were taken down during Met Office yellow wind warnings. The clerks would be responsible for monitoring weather warnings.

Mr Martin said: "I imagine everyone who enjoys seeing a variety of flags flying in our town will be delighted that the council has recognised how changes to model policies can sometimes result in it quite literally tying itself up in knots.

“I look forward to renewing my request for the Pride flag to fly in February to mark LGBTQ+ History Month.”