A DECISION on what flags fly from Dunbar Town House will be left in the hands of the town’s community council.

A row over which flags were flown from the High Street building erupted last year.

Two flagpoles are now in place on the Town House, with the Saltire and Union flag usually flown together, but it still created a problem as to which flag should be lowered when an occasion, such as John Muir’s birthday, meant an alternative flag could be flown.

East Lothian Council’s cabinet agreed on a flag policy at a meeting on Tuesday, but it only applies to council-owned buildings in Haddington and Musselburgh.

Councillor Michael Veitch, Dunbar and East Linton ward member, told the Courier after the meeting: “[With Haddington and Musselburgh] there is a protocol as to whether a Saltire or Union flag takes precedence.

“However, it is really up to Dunbar Community Council, in consultation with the local community, as to whether they choose to follow the same policy.” The issue in Dunbar of what flag should fly on certain dates – with it decided to lower the Saltire instead of the Union flag on Christmas Eve and raise the Stars and Stripes, to commemorate the death of John Muir – attracted a large number of complaints, though the vast majority were not from East Lothian residents.

But Mr Veitch was hopeful that with the independence referendum and General Election now in the past, the issue would cool.

At Tuesday’s meeting, it was decided both the Saltire and Union flag would fly in Haddington, following repairs to the Town House.

Currently, the Saltire flies from both John Muir House and the neighbouring Town House.

But councillors agreed that a change was to be made.

Kirstie MacNeill, the local authority’s service manager – licensing, administration and democratic services, presented her report to councillors.

It said: “The council continues to recognise East Lothian’s special association with the Saltire.

“However, because Haddington Town House flagpole was recently reinstated following prolonged repair work to the building, this now means that two Saltires are currently being flown in close proximity to each other in Haddington, with each being lowered and raised on specified days throughout the year.

“The protocol proposes that the Saltire now be flown permanently at council headquarters at John Muir House, Haddington, and at the Brunton Hall in Musselburgh, apart from only three occasions in a year to mark the Queen’s birthdays and Remembrance Sunday.

“It proposes the Union flag be flown permanently at the Town House in Haddington, apart from on Commonwealth Day, Europe Day and Armed Forces Day, when the appropriate flags will be flown to mark those occasions.

“The Union flag will also be lowered when it is felt more appropriate to fly other flags to mark significant occasions such as a twinning event, a VIP visit, etc.” The council consulted with the Saltire Society about the proposals.

The group, based in Edinburgh, expressed “disappointment” at any reduction in the number of Saltires being flown permanently but had no objection to the new protocol.