Cash-strapped Angus councillors are being asked to consider spending £4,500 to keep the controversial county crest flying above local authority buildings.
In 2007 the creation of a new emblem for the county was one of the first moves pushed through by the new governing coalition Angus Alliance.
The plan, which opponents feared would see no Saltires flown from council buildings, sparked a furore which dominated the early months of the new administration.
A compromise solution saw the council put up new flagpoles at key buildings so the two emblems could fly side by side.
It has emerged that since the original decision, the authority has spent almost £30,000 on flags and flagpoles.
But with the stock of flags now depleted, councillors will next week be asked if they want to spend £4,500 on replacements.
Council chief executive Richard Stiff has prepared a report for next week’s policy and resources committee which reveals that so far 21 Angus flags have been bought at a cost of £10,000.
“Replacement stock would cost approximately £4,500 (10 flags at £450),” he said, adding that the flag’s bespoke nature makes it more expensive.
Mr Stiff is proposing three options: the status quo, flying a single Angus flag at the Orchardbank Angus House HQ or getting rid of it to be replaced with other flags marking specific occasions such as Armed Forces Day.
The European Union flag (£102), and the Investors in People flag (42) are other options.
Mr Stiff added: “With the current financial constraints members may wish to reflect on the relative priority of the recurring high replacement cost of the Angus flag, compared to the less costly options outlined.”
Former Angus Alliance leader Bob Myles said: “I think I know what way this will go but to my mind this was a good news story back then which they (the SNP opposition) turned into negative publicity.
“The way they portrayed it was totally contrary to the idea of it being a flag to be proud of, but I’m not precious about it and I can’t see it going through.”
SNP councillor Donald Morrison said: “My personal view is that it was a waste of money then and it’s a waste of money now.”