A new policy put forward by Staffordshire County Council's Reform UK administration has sparked questions on whether or not Black History Month and Pride can be marked at libraries.

Conservative councillor Richard Holland asked for a "yes or no" answer on potential displays for the October and June events, as well as Holocaust Memorial Day in January, when the Economy, Infrastructure and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the proposed new Libraries Displays, Events and Activities Policy at its meeting on Thursday (22 October).

But he did not receive a yes or no, despite repeating his queries.

Committee chair and Reform UK member Councillor Andrew Clissett warned the committee on two occasions not to bring political elements into the discussion.

The draft policy was discussed four months after a row erupted over the stopping of displays during Pride Month.

Thousands of people signed an online petition calling for the council to reverse any policy that prevented libraries and other council services from displaying materials that recognise and celebrate LGBTQ+ communities and other protected groups during awareness and heritage months.

Protesters gathered outside Stafford's County Buildings, where the meeting took place, on Thursday.

Usually scrutiny committee meetings are held in the building's Oak Room, but Thursday's session was relocated to the main council chamber, where different measures apply to members of the press and public including accessing the room from a different entrance to the main one and restrictions on what can be taken into the public gallery, with bags and coats banned.

Damon Hoppe, one of the protesters outside County Buildings, said the new policy meant censorship of Staffordshire's libraries.

He added: "They have already shown us what that means – they want to exclude everyone who doesn't agree with them."

The council's deputy leader and cabinet member for communities and culture Hayley Coles told the committee: "As the role of libraries has grown, we have recognised the need for a more consistent framework to help staff make decisions about how library space, time and resources are used across county-managed libraries.

"It's important to stress this policy isn't about restricting activity in libraries – in fact it's intended to support appropriate community activity by providing clearer guidance and a more consistent approach.

"The aim is to make sure decisions are transparent, evidence-based and focused on public benefit and evidenced local need. The policy does not apply to books, stock selection or reading materials; instead it applies to displays, publicity, events, activities, partner activity and content shared through our county-managed library social media channels.

"At the heart of the policy is a balance; we want libraries to remain open, effective, efficient spaces at the heart of our communities, while also ensuring they remain neutral public spaces.

"That means providing information, opportunities and support for residents without creating the impression that the council is endorsing or promoting a particular cause, belief or viewpoint."

A draft library display space schedule, spanning a year, indicated that events including Remembrance, Christmas, World Book Day, Easter, St George's Day and Armed Forces Day could be marked.

Displays could also cover topics such as cost of living and carers' support, health and wellbeing, volunteering opportunities and fostering.

Cllr Simon Tagg said: "We've had really good libraries and really good changes to libraries that people have accepted and we have never, as far as I'm aware, had any issues with displays.

"Yet we've got a policy here that seems to be dealing with something we can readily see is a problem.

"I think having the cabinet member involved in the programme, and the escalations of any issues and removal, brings a political element into it which shouldn't be there in my view.

"Shouldn't it just be the officers independently that decide, as I assume they have done for many years on displays and other things that happen and has worked OK."

Cllr Holland said: "I'm not entirely sure what the problem is that this policy aims to solve.

"My questions are about what the policy does in practice, the evidence behind it and whether it meets the council's equality duty.

"Under this policy as drafted, could a council-managed library put up a Black History Month display next October and a Pride Month display next June?

"We're in Black History Month now, the appendix does not include it for October, so I am compelled to ask if it was even considered, and if it was, who decided against it?

Cllr Coles responded: "I'd rather expand on that, it's not a yes or no answer.

"As a public body, we have a responsibility to provide neutrality and not promote one group or belief over another.

"There is a recent case law example in 2025 that ruled that police celebrating Pride broke their neutrality rules and we have the same application.

"We have to apply due regard to all of the characteristics, which is what the Community Impact Assessment has done.

"We should not be politically aligned with anything that would upset another group.

"This is providing that complete neutrality to ensure we stay within the law and all of our residents that are paying taxes towards these services are getting the best benefit from this, without eliminating or discrediting another group."

Cllr Paul Jones said: "I support the recommendation and the principle behind it.

"I believe residents are entitled to expect their library service to operate within a clear, consistent and neutral framework across Staffordshire.

"I believe the principle is right – libraries should serve the whole community.

"Staff need a clear and workable framework and publicly-funded services should be politically neutral and apply consistently."