A THURROCK councillor has called for the removal of deteriorating England flags from street furniture across the borough, warning they are becoming eyesores and raises safety concerns.

The issue was raised during a full council meeting on Wednesday (28 January) when Cllr Ben Maney, Conservative member for Little Thurrock Blackshots, questioned whether the council had any policy governing the unauthorised display of flags, emblems or banners on council owned lamp posts and street signs.

"Does the council have a published policy covering the unauthorised flying of flags on local authority street furniture?" he asked.

Victoria Holloway, cabinet member for place and the environment, replied simply: "No."

Cllr Maney said while many residents had welcomed the appearance of St George's flags last summer, the condition of the flags had deteriorated dramatically over the winter.

"They are no longer flags," he said. "They are tattered, they're caught on trees and beginning to detract from communities. People went from welcoming the sight of the flags to questioning whether they are now an eyesore."

He urged the council to work with community groups to remove damaged flags in a "sensible and grown up way", adding: "I think the Union Flag and the cross of St George are too glorious an emblem to be flown in a tattered and weathered state."

Cllr Holloway said action would be taken if flags posed safety risks. "If they are going to cause a problem to the highway, please report them to the council," she said. "They will be assessed and removed if necessary."

But Cllr Maney criticised what he called a "report it and we'll deal with it" approach saying it could apply to anything: "We won't remove fly tips unless someone reports them, we won't remove abandoned cars unless someone reports them," he said. "What we're asking for is leadership."

Cllr Holloway said the council would monitor the situation. "I want to see a very beautiful borough too," she said. "If the flags should be removed, the team will keep an eye on that and remove them as necessary."

A significant rise in the display of 'flags' supporting English and British nationalities swept the country last summer and has been prevalent in some areas of Thurrock, The council continues to fly both the Union Flag and the St George's Cross at its Civic Offices in Grays.