PLANS to replace the Ukrainian flag that flies outside Thurrock Council's civic offices will be decided next week, it has been confirmed.

Earlier this week, Thurrock Nub News reported on the intention of Reform councillors to remove the flag - and ban others.

The move by Reform in Thurrock comes shortly after the Ukrainian flag was removed from outside Essex County Council's offices by the newly-elected Reform UK administration there.

However, despite the announcement, Thurrock Council has officially stated it "cannot confirm whether the flag changes will go ahead until the formal administration meeting next week."

Incoming Reform Thurrock Council leader, Cllr Richard Bingley, hopes to remove the Ukrainian flag outside the council's offices in Grays. Instead they would like to display the Thurrock's Coat of Arms, the Essex Flag and the Union Jack.

He said: "We will be ensuring that the three flags flown on the Thurrock Borough Council building will reflect our local, regional and national geography and heritage.

"We live in Thurrock. We are a part of Essex. And we are proud to be British.

The Union flag, Cross of St George and the flag of Ukraine have been flown most days outside the town hall and civic offices, with the Ukraine flag occasionally replaced by symbolic flags such as those representing the Commonwealth, Armed Forces or individual event flags like remembrance of the Srebrenica massacre

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"We will not support the flying of selective and sectionalist flags, no matter how emotive or compelling the cause might be. Public flags should unite. They shouldn't divide.

"Nigel Farage's own statement in support of the new Essex administration's decision to do likewise last week, mirrors and underpins our own policy and the reset back to patriotic common-sense here in Thurrock.

"I've already asked the Thurrock Council MD to instigate this change. Council officers are checking guidance as we speak."

Despite Cllr Bingley's comments, the council says it cannot confirm whether the flag changes will go ahead until the formal administration meeting next week.

A Union jack flag was put up instead outside County Hall in Chelmsford, with council leader Peter Harris declaring it "a proud moment".

The opposition of Essex County Council, Conservative Lee Scott differed in his response warning the move could encourage "pro-Kremlin politics" locally.

Action to remove the current Ukrainian flag was announced by Reform UK representatives, following the party's victory in the recent local election.

The group won 45 seats out of 49 and taking control of the council for the very first time. Though two have since resigned.

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The Ukranian flag has flown at public buildings across the UK since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, marking a symbol of solidarity with Ukrainian people.

Since taking control of Thurrock Council, Reform has begun to outline several number of changes and priorites under the new administration. This includes a renewed focus on local identity and governance.

Cllr Bingley has pledged "to reset Thurrock Council along the path of being financially responsible, publicly accountable, unashamedly patriotic and proud of our local history".