It appears that everyone has missed the irony .... of the 'government' writing a rule to tell the 'government' what to do!
Apart from 'lost dog' posters, every sign, banner, trash can, flower basket, etc. that I have seen on a lamp post was placed there at taxpayer expense.
Even in the nicest parts of civil England, I seriously doubt that gangs of wayward youth run about at night, hanging flower baskets from poles
