In his latest column, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council Cllr Mick Barton addresses concerns from residents about the authority’s plans to spend £75,000 on placing Union Flags around the county…
In a few weeks you will see 164 banners being erected in 82 locations around the county.
I want to be totally clear on the reasoning behind the banners and the plan for them moving forward. Yes, initially there will be union banners in the aluminium frames being erected. The reason for this is that recently there has been a surge in flying the union flag around the county. This I wholeheartedly support, as I feel it brings communities together, promotes civic pride and unites the country.
The money that has been spent on the banners was found through savings and has not been taken out of any other pot or put any services at risk. On the contrary, I am hoping that this banner space can be sold in the future to businesses, which will proactively help the business community too.
As I have mentioned before, I am currently operating an efficiency review at County Hall, looking at every aspect of the council and how saving can be made. This will be completed by the end of the year, and we will save millions without any cuts to services. All I want to see is services improved.
The aluminium frames being erected will replace the old ones and will last for many years to come. They will hold a host of banners for all manner of occasions, for example, up and coming events such as, Remembrance Day, Nottinghamshire Day, along with promotion of all key aspects of the new Nottinghamshire Plan, one of which is promoting fostering in Nottinghamshire.
The investment of new banners to hopefully attract potential carers attention will be beneficial in keeping children in family homes rather than within the care system. This is only one of many key messages to be shared within the county.
It’s still a waste, you fool
Sorry but put the 75k into pothole repairs or something useful to the community, saving money isn’t a thing when other services are way under funded and need investment before flags… what a waste of tax payer money! If you prioritise flags over services valued by the public I question if you’re fit to lead anything!
The money you claim to have ‘saved’ is from general taxation. It’s meant to be spent properly on essential services. Idiot.
Proof if ever it were needed that you don’t have a clue Mr Barton . Use the £75k to invest in services not flags for your own propaganda. I’d be interested to see the report on exactly where the millions’ will be saved from, £75k of it is being spent stupidly already!!!!
Never have I been more ashamed to live in Nottinghamshire.