LGBTQ+ staff at Warwickshire County Council are calling for a rethink over the decision not to fly the Pride flag at the council’s headquarters.
WCC’s new leader Coun George Finch declared last week that only three flags will now be flown outside Shire Hall in Warwick – the Union Flag, the St George’s Cross and the County Flag of Warwickshire, while future decision making about flags has been stripped from the council’s chief executive Monica Fogarty and put into the hands of WCC chairman, Coun Edward Harris.
The move followed a heated row over the decision to fly a Progress Pride Flag outside Shire Hall during Pride Month in June.
Reform councillor George Finch had asked for the flag to be removed when he was elected as leader of the council, but Ms Fogarty refused.
The council’s cabinet voted in favour of its new flag policy at a meeting on September 4 but that decision is now on hold after some councillors requested a review.
A special WCC meeting on September 22 will decide whether the cabinet should be asked to reconsider its decision.
The Pride Progress flag is a redesigned rainbow flag, with additional colours to represent a wider range of marginalised communities.
In a letter to the council, chairwoman of the LGBTQ+ staff network Angela Dunne said visible celebrations of diversity, such as flying the Pride flag, played a vital role in reinforcing an inclusive environment at the authority.
She continued: “During the recent staff engagement sessions, many employees highlighted the council’s inclusive culture as one of the key reasons they chose to work here and a major factor in their decision to stay.
“This reputation is not only a source of pride, it is a strategic asset.”
Ms Dunne also argued that granting the flag a permanent place on the flag-flying schedule would demonstrate the council’s obligations towards diversity and inclusion.
Coun Finch said the move has been made in the name of unity.
He added: “It’s not about the colour of your skin, your sexuality, who you love, it’s not about any of that. It’s about whether you can do the job.
“This county, everyone that’s in it, is identified by three things. the United Kingdom, England and our county.”
