Earlier in the year the Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG), the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) Conflict Transformation Initiative (CTI) and React North West, launched a joint protocol encouraging Protestant Unionist and Loyalist (PUL) communities to display flags only from the outset to the conclusion of the marching season.
Londonderry's parade season concluded on Saturday with the Royal Black Perceptory's parade, and on Monday loyalist representatives commenced the removal of the flags from lamposts. These are to be handed back to the various communities for reuse.
Part of the initiative was designed to prevent the flying of flags all year round and stop them becoming tattered. The protocol also asked communities to fly recognised state flags such as the Union Jack and the flag of Northern Ireland.
UPRG representative, David Malcolm, told the Sentinel that the initiative was a success, and he was aware of only one breach of the agreement not to fly paramilitary flags. This single incident, he said, happened at Clooney where a UFF flag was hoisted but removed quickly after the loyalist groups became aware of it.
Two communities, the Fountain and Newbuildings decided not to enter into the voluntary arrangement.
David Malcolm, however was highly critical of mainsteam unionist political parties and claimed that they had claimed credit for the success of the initiative despite, he claimed, having no actual involvement in liasing with communities on the issue.
"They are prepared to take the plaudits, but they are not prepared to put the work in. They haven't actually come to us with regard to work on the ground," said David Malcolm.
The loyalist representative also extended his criticism of mainstream unionists to an alleged lack of input to work at interface areas, stating that community workers and loyalist groups were the people actually on the ground preventing trouble.
Alderman William Hay of the DUP rejected loyalist claims that unionist politicians had jumped on the 'bandwagon' and stated: "I am not prepared to take lectures from people who drove fear into unionist communities from years.
"This wider initiative would have happened a lot sooner if had not been for loyalist paramilitaries, who speak for nobody and represent nobody, putting flags up against the wishes of people. In Newbuildings flags are put up without dictation and fear."