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Council flag plan causes flutter | Council flag plan causes flutter |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Hundreds of people have backed a campaign against plans to replace the Saltire outside Angus council offices. | Hundreds of people have backed a campaign against plans to replace the Saltire outside Angus council offices. |
The local authority has approved proposals to create a new flag based on the council's coat of arms, at a cost of more than £4,000. | The local authority has approved proposals to create a new flag based on the council's coat of arms, at a cost of more than £4,000. |
The standard would be raised outside 10 key buildings across the region instead of the national flag. | The standard would be raised outside 10 key buildings across the region instead of the national flag. |
Critics have set up an online petition against the idea, which has so far attracted more than 1,000 signatures. | |
The measure was agreed by the Angus Alliance, a coalition which replaced the SNP as the ruling administration at the last election. | |
Political decision | |
SNP councillor Donald Morrison told the BBC Scotland website that he thought the decision was "wrong". | |
The representative for Arbroath East and Lunan said: "Speaking as a Scot, I feel quite hurt that they're taking the Saltire down and replacing it with the council flag. | |
"I think it is a political decision from a tiny minority of the administration which was seeking revenge for all the years of opposition. | |
This is an absolute disgrace, and a betrayal of our national flag Alex McDonaldPetition signatory Send us your views | |
"They've not listened to the members of the public who have signed this petition, so many people from all political persuasions, angry at them for taking down our national flag." | |
A number of petition signatories have strongly criticised the move on the website. | |
Iain Higgins called it a "shocking waste of time and money", while Duncan Fenton demanded "keep the Saltire - replace the council". | |
Greig Holmes pointed out that Angus was where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1320. | |
He added: "Bruce and Wallace will be turning in their graves." | |
Fellow commentator Alex McDonald accused the council of treachery. | |
He said: "This is an absolute disgrace, and a betrayal of our national flag." | |
Ancient earldoms | Ancient earldoms |
Councillors in Angus recently approved the plan, which was put forward by the local authority's chief executive, David Sawers. | |
In a committee report, Mr Sawers said: "The matter of flag flying is one for individual local authorities to determine. | In a committee report, Mr Sawers said: "The matter of flag flying is one for individual local authorities to determine. |
"At present the Saltire is flown on key council buildings within each of the burghs and is only replaced by the Union flag on Remembrance Day or for certain Royal events. | "At present the Saltire is flown on key council buildings within each of the burghs and is only replaced by the Union flag on Remembrance Day or for certain Royal events. |
"It has been suggested that it would be more appropriate for a flag that represents Angus uniquely to be flown at key council buildings and for this flag to be based on the council's Coat of Arms." | "It has been suggested that it would be more appropriate for a flag that represents Angus uniquely to be flown at key council buildings and for this flag to be based on the council's Coat of Arms." |
There has been talk of a compromise, where additional flagpoles would be erected so both the Saltire and the Angus flag could fly over council buildings. | |
The design consists of four quarters containing a crowned lion passant, a cinquefoil, a checked strip crossed with buckled belt and a depiction of the heart of Robert the Bruce to represent the four ancient earldoms of Angus. | The design consists of four quarters containing a crowned lion passant, a cinquefoil, a checked strip crossed with buckled belt and a depiction of the heart of Robert the Bruce to represent the four ancient earldoms of Angus. |
Ten flags would be ordered from a specialist maker, at a cost of £450 each. | Ten flags would be ordered from a specialist maker, at a cost of £450 each. |