A Reform-led council has ruled that union and St George’s flags must come down in order for a village’s traditional Christmas lights to go ahead, in a decision described as “beyond ironic”.

Kent county council – whose leader once vowed not to remove flags put up “unilaterally by the people of Kent” – told Harrietsham parish council that flags must come down from street lights before festive lights could go up because of safety concerns.

The parish council has appealed to those who put up the flags to take them down, saying it was not permitted to remove the flags itself and that unless they were removed funds already spent on hiring the light decorations would be lost.

The flags in question, which the Guardian has been told are union and St George’s flags, are on the A20, which runs through the village.

Harrietsham council said on its website: “This condition from Kent county council may result in the installation of the Christmas lights being unable to proceed as planned for 2025. Despite this, the parish council will still be liable for the hire cost, as the arrangements were in place before the permit was issued.”

It said it would be “disappointing” if the lights could not be installed “but unfortunately this situation is beyond the parish council’s control”.

In a statement to the Guardian, the parish council said: “It is not within the contractor’s remit to remove flags as part of the installation process. As the flags and street columns are not council property, the parish council is not permitted to use public funds to pay for their removal.

“We are hoping that whoever installed the flags will be able to remove them in due course to allow for the festive lights to be installed as planned.” It said it would not be making any further comment.

After Reform’s landslide election win in May, the new Reform leader of Kent county council, Linden Kemkaran, said:“The union jack, the flag of St George and the flag of Kent, they are the identity that we all share and it is that identity that we need to focus on.”

In August it was reported that highways teams in Kent would not be removing St George’s flags unless they posed a safety risk, such as blocking the view of CCTV cameras, or anything affecting road signage and the safety of the public.

Peter Osborne, Kent council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “The claim that Harrietsham parish council will face significant extra costs is simply wrong. The contractor they have already hired to install the Christmas lights can remove any obstructing flags as part of the same job – no additional significant expense should be expected.

“We fully support communities coming together to celebrate Christmas with festive lights – it’s a valued tradition that brings people together. But safety must come first. Flags on streetlight columns pose a risk during installation, so they must be removed to ensure the lights go up safely and can be enjoyed by everyone.”

Stuart Jeffrey, a Kent county councillor for the Greens and leader of Maidstone borough council, said the situation was “beyond ironic”.

He said the A20 running through the middle of Harrietsham was “lined either side with these flags”. While the county council had removed flags when they were a danger, “they have been very clear that they are fundamentally supportive”, he said.

The parish council could remove the flags, Jeffrey said, as they had not been put up with Kent’s permission and removing them “would not be breaking the law”.

Alister Brady, a Labour Kent county councillor, said: “Putting up flags on lamp-posts, by the so called patriots, with the intention to intimate minorities is a disgraceful use of our flag. We are a proudly tolerant country which has a history of inclusion.

“We now hear that through the actions of the few they have impacted the festive period for the many. Kent county council should now come out and be clear on this matter instead of being concerned about a negative reaction from the far right.

“The festive lights are a way to bring people together; those who put flags on lamp-posts are trying to do the opposite. Kent county council have a duty to keep the highways safe and street furniture clear, so instead of posturing and infighting they should get on with that job.”