Aberystwyth town councillors disagree over Romany flag Published duration 14 October 2011

image caption Aberystwyth Town Council plans to fly the Romany flag on the seafront

A councillor says a plan to fly the Romany Gypsy flag on Aberystwyth seafront is a waste of money.

More than 50 flagpoles on the promenade represent a variety of nations, and the town council wants to mark the area's association with Gypsies.

Aled Davies said he did not oppose the principle, but it could not be justified in the economic climate.

But councillor Mark Strong said it would acknowledge the contribution the community had made.

A number of small nations and areas are represented on the seafront, including Corsica, the Basque country and the Isle of Man.

Mr Strong said it would cost about £500 to erect the flagpole.

He said as people of a small nation "we also look outward towards others whilst at the same time appreciating our diverse cultural heritage".

By flying these flags along the promenade the town had shown an empathy with other small nations and people across Europe who are not identified as nation states, added Mr Strong.

But Mr Davies said: "I'm not opposed to the Romany flag, but we don't need to be spending money on flagpoles in the current financial situation.

"I think we should leave it as it is for the time being, it's a waste of money.

"It's ratepayers' money we are spending and we have to be very careful what we do with it."