West Norfolk Council agreed its own application for advertisement consent to fly the multicoloured Progress Pride banner from a flagpole at its King's Lynn HQ during Pride weekend in August.

The 1.5m by 90cms emblem is a redesign of the previous rainbow Pride flag, featuring the addition of colours to represent transgender, intersex, people of colour and those affected by HIV/AIDS as part of the wider LGBTQ+ community.

The flag which West Norfolk council has given itself permission to fly outside its offices in King's Lynn (Image: West Norfolk council)

Critics, including members of the LGB community, say the symbol - which features the colours of the transgender flag - promotes gender ideology.

This is the heavily contested idea that people's so-called 'gender identity' should take primacy over biological sex.

The issue is the focus of legal disputes and intense public debate and opponents say it is inappropriate for public bodies like councils to fly the flag, as they should remain neutral on the subject.

Julian Kirk, leader of the five-strong Reform group on West Norfolk, said: "I don't agree with it at all. This could lead to those mixed changing rooms and all of that, I don't agree with that either.

Anger after council gives itself permission to fly new Pride flag (Image: Julian Kirk)

"Society needs to have a reset. We're making a lot of rods for a lot of people's backs.

"I've got nothing against those who support Pride but I don't think it needs to be pushed down people's throats all the time."

Mr Kirk added there were too many flags flying on public buildings, although he supported flags being flown in support of Ukraine.

Fellow Reform councillor Jackie Fry (Image: West Norfolk council)

Fellow Reform councillor Jackie Fry said: "At present Reform has limited influence over the decisions by the council.

"Hopefully after the May county elections we will have more of an input into what happens in regards to flags etc.

"I personally believe in equality for all, and I don’t think that needs a flag to demonstrate this."

Independent councillor Jo Rust (Image: West Norfolk Council)

Independent councillor Jo Rust disagreed. She said she was "proud" council officers had obtained the correct permissions to fly the new flag, which were not in place in time for last year's Pride Weekend.

"Trans people are people," she added. "I have trans friends and their struggle and experiences deserve recognition.

"As such it is right that our council flies the Progress flag and I hope it continues. "

West Norfolk council's offices in King's Lynn (Image: Ian Burt)

An officer's report said: "Due to the size, material type and location of the proposed flag, it is considered that the flag would have no impact on public safety grounds and the design would not cause harm to the character of the area."

A spokesman for the council added: “We fly a flag every year at King’s Court as a symbol of support for the King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Pride parade, which happens in August.

"Consent is required under national planning rules to fly our Pride Progress flag on the flagpole. We recently became aware of this and therefore sought to regularise our position.

"The application went through the usual planning process. The decision was made by a planning officer.”

Great Yarmouth Borough Council members, from both the Conservative and Labour group, with chief executive Sheila Oxtoby standing by the Pride flag (Image: Great Yarmouth Borough Council)

Controversy erupted in Great Yarmouth, before the council there voted to fly the flag outside its offices in November, 2024.

A spokesman said there was "cross-party support" for the move before councillors and officers posed for a picture beneath the flag which was posted on social media.

But the town's then Reform MP Rupert Lowe, who has since left the party to form his own called Restore Britain, said the flag should not be on display in hospitals, schools and other public institutions. 

"If private individuals wish to display their views, that's fine but not when taxpayer money is involved," he said.

Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe (Image: Rupert Lowe)

"The gender ideology promoted within this flag is concerning, and advances the idea that children are often born in the 'wrong' body.

"There are two sexes: female and male. People shouldn’t be afraid to say so. It is confusing and potentially dangerous to cloud that."

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