Barnsley Council's Reform administration approved a policy restricting the flags flown at Town Hall to the Union Flag, St George's Cross, and the Barnsley coat of arms, with designated exceptions for Armed Forces Week, Remembrance Day, and Yorkshire Day. Reform councillors argued the measure would eliminate ad-hoc flagging decisions and prevent the council building from serving as a platform for various causes and interest groups.

Labour councillors proposed an amendment to permit the Pride flag during June alongside flags representing the council's twin towns, but the amendment was defeated. Labour argued that displaying the Pride flag represents community acceptance and belonging rather than political ideology, whilst Reform maintained that restricting flags to civic and national symbols was necessary to keep the council building neutral and prevent it becoming promotional space for particular movements.