SCOTTISH Borders Council is set to follow the example of the Scottish Government in “liberalising” its policy on the flying of flags at its Newtown HQ.

A report to Thursday’s full council meeting recommended that the Rainbow Flag – the symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pride and diversity – should be flown annually at SBC’s Newtown headquarters.

A small working group of officers, set up in October last year, is also recommending that, to accommodate more than one flag at any one time, the use of the flagpole at the top of the building’s iconic high tower should be discontinued.

In its place, councillors are being asked to approve the erection of three new flagpoles - at ground level in front of the building’s main entrance - which will simultaneously fly the Saltire and Union flag at all times.

The group wants the Rainbow Flag, not hoisted since 2006 when the local LGBT forum was launched, to be included in a new flag flying policy and suggests it is raised annually from the third flagpole “either on a certain week of the year in celebration of equality of diversity or on a specific appropriate day of the year, eg International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia [May 17]”.

If councillors agree, the third flagpole will accommodate the Armed Forces Day Flag, which will also be flown at Jedburgh Town Hall and Kelso’s Townhouse, in the week prior to June 27.

The Commonwealth Flag (March 10) and the European Flag (May 9) will be flown from the third flagpole on March 10 and May 9 respectively.

Significantly, the new protocol will allow for “other flags”, representing previously proscribed special interest groups, to occupy the third pole “at the discretion of the convener [currently Councillor Graham Garvie] or the vice convener [Councillor Jim Brown] in consultation with the chief executive [Tracey Logan]”.

The report concedes that the status quo – with the Saltire the only flag flying on a daily basis at Newtown, at Jedburgh Town Hall and at Kelso’s Town House – “does little to further SBC’s equality duties”.

In contrast, the more inclusive policy “encourages flag flying which allows the council to promote positive messages, including pride, inclusiveness, respect and celebration”.

However, the working group report admits that embracing additional flags “may prove contentious with some members of the public”.

And it estimates the cost of erecting three new flagpoles at Newtown will be £4,000, not including the ongoing cost of replacing damaged flags.

Although, under the recommendations, flags will no longer be flown from the high tower at Newtown, the flagpole will remain in place as it houses a radio transmitter.