THURROCK Council has given itself permission to fly a Pride flag outside the Town Hall in Grays, along with a commemorative Srebrenica flag, despite objections from a Reform councillor.

Last month Thurrock Nub News reported on how the council was trying to plug a legal gap over what flags can be flown over local civic building.

The council's planning committee has now approved retrospective planning permission for two flags to fly on New Road between High Street and Derby Road. The Progress Pride flag incorporates the LGBTQ+ flag along with the trans and people of colour community.

The flag will be raised during next year's Pride month. A second Remembering Srebrenica Week flag will be raised next July.

Certain flags classified as "advertising" under planning regulations do not have permitted development rights and must have planning permission.

Councillors sought assurances the Union flag would continue to fly from the civic building and would not be replaced at any time.

However, speaking at the committee meeting last week, Russell Cherry, Reform UK councillor for Ockendon, said: "I'm objecting to the flying of the two flags irrespective of the other flags being flown which should be flown at all times. I'm objecting to these two flags being flown full stop."

Thurrock Council said it "shows its support for the rights of the borough's LGBTQ+ communities by flying the Progress Flag during Pride Month.

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In addition it flies the Cross of St George Flag every day of the year. Other flags are flown throughout the year to mark key events that are "relevant to residents".

Remembering Srebrenica Week takes place around July 11 every year and commemorates the 8,000 mostly Muslim men and boys who were murdered in the Srebrenica Genocide in July 1995.

Labour councillor Cathy Sisterson, who represents Aveley and Uplands, said: "It's a very welcome sight to see, both the Pride flag and Remembering Srebrenica.

"It shows that we value all parts of our community so I'm very much in favour of this."