The SNP group at Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) has called on the local authority to keep flying the European flag at its headquarters even after the country leaves the EU on January 31.
Members from the group issued a statement supporting a continuation of flying the flag at 2 High Street and called for a decision to be made on the issue.
But their feelings are not upheld by fellow councillors in opposition groups, with council leader Murray Lyle saying PKC has “more serious problems to worry about rather than whether a flag flies.”
Deputy SNP leader Cllr Fiona Sarwar said: “As the UK will remain a member of the Council of Europe and to show our continuing welcome and support to local EU citizens, we would like to continue to fly the [European] flag.”
SNP leader Grant Laing said he is happy to discuss with other political groups as to whether there can be consensus for this decision.
But Lib Dem group leader Cllr Peter Barrett scoffed at the SNP’s “obsession with cloaking themselves in flags.”
He said: “Flags are a distraction intended to divert attention away from the crippling cuts that are coming down the SNP’s tracks for Perth and Kinross.
“Frankly it doesn’t matter the slightest what flag flies from the council building.
“The SNP’s obsession with cloaking itself in flags and pursuit of identity politics is not good for democracy.
“A manufactured grievance over flying the [European] flag over Holyrood has created the farcical situation where the Scottish Government could hold a debate on the subject.
“How can it find time to debate flag-flying at the drop of a pin but hasn’t held a debate on its record on education for over two years?”
Independent councillor Michael Barnacle said: “I have no problem with it flying on Europe Day.
"They (the SNP) are probably not very happy with our union flag, which we are part of, because they want to break that up - something I am utterly opposed to.”
Fellow independent councillor Xander McDade said: “I feel the Scottish Parliament corporate body has made a sensible decision to take down the flag on January 31 as we leave the European Union, but to fly it annually on Europe Day.
“I have asked that PKC take the same approach, reflecting that although we have left the EU, we remain neighbours and friends.”
Conservative council leader Murray Lyle pointed out that although the UK will have technically left the EU on January 31, many of the final processes had still to be completed.
The council leader, who is currently planning the council budget, said: “It’s not my agenda right now and it’s not been discussed.
“We have more serious problems to worry about rather than whether a flag flies.”
