Request
1. How much has your local authority has spent removing unauthorised flags that have been erected on lamp posts and other street furniture in the year August 1st, 2025-August 1st, 2026 and if known, how many flags were removed. If data is not available for this date range, can you give data for the last twelve months held and specify the date range.
2. How much has your local authority spent on erecting Union Jack or St Georges flags from August 1st, 2025- August 1st, 2026 and if known, how many. If data is not available for this date range, can you give data for the last twelve months and specify the date range.
3. How many complaints has your local authority received about unauthorised flags being erected on lamp posts and other street furniture in the year August 1st, 2025-August 1st, 2026 and since August 1st, 2026. If data is not available for this date range, can you give data for the last twelve months and specify the date range.
4. If accessible within the cost limit, please also provide the same data for questions 1, 2 and 3 for the prior year in the same format. (For instance, if providing data in the format August 1st 2025 - August 1st 2026, please also include August 1st 2024 - August 1st 2025.)
5. If there is another local authority that might also hold the same data (for instance, a higher or lower tier local authority - a county council or a distract council), please name it.
Response
1. £485 to remove one flag (standard daily rate of lighting contractor). The majority of the streetlights in our District are the responsibility of the highway authority, rather than the District Council. The highway authority for our District is Kent County Council and they can be contacted at freedomofinformation@kent.gov.uk.
2. As follows:
- 1 August 2025 – 1 August 2026 = 5 Union flags £1,042.95
- 1 August 2024 – 1 August 2025 = Nil
3. We have only recorded one complaint for the streetlight referred to in response to question 1. We have not recorded the complaints received in respect of streetlights owned and maintained by the highway authority.
4. The information the Council holds has been provided in response to question 1 and 2.
5. Yes, the highway authority who are Kent County Council. They can be contacted at freedomofinformation@kent.gov.uk.