Conservative leaders have dubbed a local council’s warning against decorating public property with poppies ahead of Remembrance Day “nonsense”.
Councillors in Derby have been told not to fasten decorations on lampposts and other street furniture before November 11, with the local council citing health and safety concerns.
One local Conservative group leader has said the warning to all 51 city councillors informing them of the instruction was “madness”.
Derbyshire Live reported that Steve Hassall, an Allestree councillor and leader of Derby City Conservatives, denounced the note in a statement to local officers.
But his note has been swiftly condemned by other council members, who said it was “twisted and unnecessarily politicised”.
The note sent to councillors stated residents and councillors should not install the decorations themselves.
Installers must consider “height clearance, appropriate fixings, electrical safety, personal protective equipment and working at height”, it adds, and receive approval from local contractors Balfour Beatty before doing so.
The email adds there are “clearly real positive benefits” to having Remembrance Day decorations hanging locally.
But Mr Hassall denounced the warning as “utter nonsense”, stating that those who place Remembrance Day decorations are “grownups” with a “good level of common sense” who “would not do anything to put ourselves or the public at risk”.
He added: “Poppies are both clearly visible and present little in the way of harm in the unlikely event of it coming into contact with someone or something.
“Lamppost poppies are out only for a matter of a couple of weeks and are placed and removed with care and consideration and I have yet to see one that presents even the slightest hazard.”
The councillor stated “quoted categorically” that there would be “a great deal of resistance from councillors and public alike” who would “not be put off” by what he dubbed the “Health and Safety Police”.
In response, Labour councillors have said Mr Hassall’s remarks were “extremely disappointing”, adding the initial guidance made it clear the council was supportive of hanging Remembrance Day decorations.
Carmel Swan, a Labour councillor and cabinet member, said the warning was an “offer of support” from officers.
She said: “The guidance provided makes it quite clear that the council and its street lighting contractor are fully supportive of this activity.
“It’s extremely disappointing that an offer of support by officers, to ensure the safety of councillors and residents, has been twisted and unnecessarily politicised.
“While councillors are entirely within their rights to challenge the advice provided by officers, we absolutely expect councillors to act with respect and courtesy, in accordance with our councillor/officer protocol.”
