Another row has broken out over flags – or rather rainbow Pride banners – which have started appearing on some Calderdale lamp posts and other street furniture.

Arguments about flag-flying have rumbled on all month amid an ongoing debate over which can be flown and when from council properties.

The latest row has centred around new rainbow banners which have appeared on some council street furniture.

This has prompted Reform UK Calderdale to post on the group’s social media: “Thank you to all those who have contacted us, regarding the Pride Banners/flags which have appeared across Calderdale on street furniture.

placeholder image — Rainbow banners seen around Calderdale

“We will be moving to immediately remove the flags and take legal actions against those responsible, in order to recoup the removal costs.”

But responding on the thread, Sarah Courtney, the Labour councillor behind the banners, said: “These have been put up legally, by the company the council uses for banner advertising, and paid for by the community.”

She had earlier posted on her councillor social media page: “Raising a Rainbow across Calderdale!

“The Pride Banners that have been paid for following a tremendous community fundraising effort have started to go up.”

Coun Courtney said the gofundme Raising A Rainbow campaign had raised within £630 of target – £8,000 – to date.

“We have paid for 30 across Calderdale, spread around the borough to help promote that all people are welcome,” she said.

She said hundreds of people had donated in two and a half weeks, and urged people to take pictures of any banners they saw and to look for all 30.

Some social media reports indicate some may have been damaged since being put up.

Reform UK won control of Calderdale Council in May’s local elections.

During Pride month, LGTB+ campaigners supported by some councillors including Coun Courtney complained Pride’s rainbow flag was not given permission to fly from council property, particularly from Shibden Hall, home of Anne Lister.

Often called “the first modern lesbian”, the 19th century heiress whose home was Shibden was the inspiration for hit television drama Gentleman Jack.

Illegally hung flags from street furniture – whether Union flags and St George flags or, more recently, Pride rainbow flags – have been an issue in Calderdale for a year.

Cabinet member for public services, Coun Peter Hunt, has said illegally hung flags are set to be removed as part of regular maintenance on the relevant street furniture later in the year.

A new flag flying protocol will be considered by councillors when the full Calderdale Council meets in July.

If adopted, it will see the Union flag flying daily and sets out which other flags can be flown on which days.

It also allows for requests for other flags to be flown and sets out the process for this, with the final decision resting with the leader of the Council, Reform UK’s Coun Dan Sutherland.