Latest news with #MarkArnull
BBC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
West Northamptonshire Council votes through new flag protocol
A council has approved a "divisive" policy change which will mean it no longer fly an LGBTQ+ rainbow flag from any of its newly elected Reform UK administration on West Northamptonshire Council made changes to the local authority's flag protocol after coming to power last month, and it was formally passed on leader Mark Arnull said its "revised approach ensures consistent and respectful use of public buildings."But Conservative councillor David Smith called on the authority to "think again" on the protocol, which dictates that only the union jack, St George's flag and council flag will be flown outside its buildings. The administration previously said it remained "committed to supporting community-led events and activities", including Pride, despite the change of Thursday's full council meeting at the Guildhall in Northampton, 40 ward councillors voted in favour of the new policy and 26 against it, while one councillor the new flag protocol, the council said additional flags would be flown on specified dates for royal or national is flying flags this week to mark Armed Forces Day, but no flag has been flown to reflect this month's international Pride month, as has been the case in previous years. Speaking before the vote, Arnull said: "The administration maintains our support for community-led events and inclusive engagement across West Northamptonshire, and I state for the record this administration supports all community groups everywhere."However, the move was heavily criticised by opposition parties on the councillor Smith said the Reform administration had "no manifesto" and "no strategic vision". He added: "Your only notable initiative is a divisive flag policy that sidelines symbols of inclusion and unity. [It] is shameful you doing this, you should think again. Understand the community you now represent, and do the right thing and actually vote against this."Labour councillor Zoe Smith, who attended the meeting in a rainbow-themed dress, said: "Our community, my community, will not be erased by a flag protocol, but it does diminish dignity and civic responsibility of this council and the way we represent all our people to remove respect for the LGBT community and others." 'Heartbroken' The enforcement of the policy means that no flag will be flown for a number of events, as in previous Cole, the co-founder of the Northampton Windrush Generation organisation, said his group was "heartbroken" by the policy added: "This decision is not only unjust but strikes at the heart of our values. As a society that celebrates diversity, inclusion and the rich tapestry of cultures that define us. "The Windrush generation has long stood as a symbol of resilience, unity, multi-culturalism, the very essence of British identity. Raising global flags is more than a symbolic act. "It is a statement of solidarity recognition and respect for the communities that have contributed to the vibrancy of this nation." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
10-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Northamptonshire council says it backs Pride despite flag stance
A council that will no longer fly an LGBTQ+ rainbow flag from any of its buildings has insisted it remained "committed to supporting community-led events and activities" including newly-elected Reform UK administration on West Northamptonshire Council made changes to its flag protocol after coming to power last protocol dictates that only the union jack, St George's flag and council flag will be flown outside its Arnull, council leader, said the new protocol "prioritises the flying of flags on council buildings that foremostly reflect our local and national identity as a place that represents everyone living in West Northamptonshire". It comes after Mike Reader, the Labour MP for Northampton South, had shared an open letter to Arnull and the Reform UK administration at the council calling for "clarity and reassurance" for LGBTQ+ people following the policy the new flag protocol, the council said additional flags would be flown on specified dates for royal or national include plans for an Armed Forces Day flag for a week from 23 June, but no flag would be flown to reflect this month's international Pride month, as has been the case in previous years. The Reform-controlled local authority said it "continued to give its backing to a busy and varied local community events calendar for the year ahead".It said it would provide resource and support to community organisers for events including Pride, Windrush, Diwali and said: "We acknowledge the role that local community forums play in promoting an inclusive environment for everyone who lives and works in West Northants and continue to support this work." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
West Northants Reform UK council targets potholes and fly-tipping
A newly appointed council leader has outlined priorities for his administration, focusing on potholes, fly-tipping and local government Arnull was elected as leader of Reform UK-run West Northamptonshire Council on 14 May, following his party's strong showing in the local UK won 42 of the 76 available seats, securing control of the local to BBC Radio Northampton, Arnull said: "Our priorities are potholes, fly-tipping, and how money is spent in local government." Arnull, who joined Reform UK in November 2024 after leaving the Conservative Party, said he had "lost enthusiasm for what [the Conservatives] were doing" and felt they failed to support small businesses. He said the local authority's focus would now be "a very visible kind of local politics", promising that councillors would regularly engage with communities to ensure they were seen and pothole repairs, Arnull said: "We're going to look at [pothole repair] contracts... and see if there's value for money. It's not going to be a quick fix - there are huge problems."He also vowed action on fly-tipping and a review of council spending. The new administration will also undertake a review of council spending and reaffirmed that it would not adopt diversity and inclusion (DI) training."We believe all people should be treated equally and you don't need DI training to do that," Arnull public sector union Unison has criticised the decision, warning it could negatively impact public services and community Roberts, Unison's East Midlands head of local government, said: "Refusing diversity training shows a complete lack of willingness to understand and represent the communities [the council] serve."Following criticism of two councillors for social media posts, Arnull added: "[Councillors] are briefed on professional standards in public life... the focus of my administration is absolutely on diplomacy and statecraft and getting it right."On climate change issues, he said the council would be examining local initiatives: "That's quite a tricky subject. I'm looking at local net zero issues at the moment."He added the success of the new administration would be measured by public engagement and visibility. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Reform UK refuse diversity training at Northamptonshire council
A Reform UK council leader has confirmed that his group will not take part in diversity or climate training as part of their new roles as elected Arnull, a Reform UK councillor, was appointed as the leader of West Northamptonshire Council on told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "As it stands, I will stand with the policy and the councillors on the Reform group will not be attending the training."The move comes after Reform UK leader Nigel Farage posted on social media that newly elected councillors would boycott the training stating that "all people should be treated equally". Reform UK has political control of West Northamptonshire Council after winning 42 seats out of the 76 elected in the recent local to the authority's equality, diversity and inclusion policy, the council said it was "committed to advancing equality of opportunity" and "eliminating discrimination, harassment and victimisation".It said the responsibility of ensuring there was no unlawful discrimination rested with staff and that all members must comply with the policy and said: "The councillors in West Northamptonshire Council are waiting for their briefs from the democratic services team." He confirmed that his administration would only fly flags of the St George's Cross and the Union Jack and have the council emblem only on local authority authority has also proposed to reduce remote working for council staff. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the party's key policies going forward would focus on "what local people said" on their doorsteps. "We're going to address the issues that we said by meeting with the officers and executives at the earliest opportunity and we'll look at what we can do," Arnull and his new cabinet are expected to attend their first public meeting as a senior decision-making panel at One Angel Square in Northampton in June. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Reform UK council leader stands by Northamptonshire councillors over X posts
The Reform UK leader of West Northamptonshire Council has stood by two councillors criticised for posts on social elected Ivan Dabbs was criticised by an MP for "disrespectful" comments online about King Charles III, while Ron Firman came under fire for posts made in 2017 and Arnull, who was appointed leader last week, said he was "looking forward to them joining the administration".Reform UK took political control of the authority after winning 42 seats in the recent local elections. Dabbs, elected for Reform in Deanshanger and Paulerspury, made comments on X about the king and monarchy - the tweet received several reposts from Britain MP for Northampton South Mike Reader said the councillor had "repeatedly disrespected the King, our monarchy, and country".Arnull said that Dabbs "got quite close to the line, but I don't believe he did cross the line". 'Happy to have them' Firman also came under fire for old tweets that were called offensive, sexist and racist. At the time, he was reminded of the code of conduct by East Hunsbury Parish Council, where he sat as a said: "The information on [Mr Firman] was in the public domain and he was duly elected."He added he had "spoken to" both councillors and he was "happy to have them as part of my administration".Since the elections, the council is now made up of 42 Reform councillors, 17 Conservatives, nine Labour, six Liberal Democrats and two Independent Tories had been in control of the council since the first elections for the authority in 2021, but lost control to reform in the elections earlier this month. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
