What kind of flag will soon be allowed to fly above the town hall in Hoogeveen? At least the national, regional and local flags. The council may have to give permission for hanging a banner with a political message in the future. That is one of the points that the Board has included in the new flag protocol.
Suddenly last summer a green flag flew above the town hall in Hoogeveen to support the farmers. At the request of CDA council member Bert Otten, also a farmer, the flag was raised.
There was a fuss about this, because the municipality announced that it wanted to be a neutral party. With the hanging of the flag, a position was nevertheless taken, the council acknowledged. But that must change in the future. That is why there are different rules of the game.
The European flag will also be placed on the town hall, but will only be hoisted when a European delegation arrives. The flag of the country that will be visiting Hoogeveen will also be displayed. The rainbow flag also remains visible.
A few years ago, the council decided by means of a motion that Hoogeveen is a rainbow municipality. She wants to show that everyone is equal.
According to Hoogeveen, the flags for Drenthe Veterans Day and Human Rights Day are both neutral. They therefore remain on display on the turret of the town hall. Events that want to fly their banner on top of the building will have to apply for a permit in the future.
The council still has to approve the new flag protocol. In two weeks, the factions will debate the subject.