Issue - meetings

To consider a report on a flag flying policy for civic buildings in Cheshire East.

Members were asked to consider proposals for a flag flying policy for civic buildings in Cheshire East.

Cheshire East Council had not yet adopted a Flag Flying Policy. The Cheshire East flag was flown permanently from a variety of Cheshire East buildings. In the last year, the Leader and the Chief Executive had agreed on an ad hoc basis that flags be flown as follows from the three main administrative buildings:

Birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (Union flag)

St George's Day (English National Flag)

Official celebration of Her Majesty's birthday (Union flag)

Armed Forces Week (Armed Forces flag)

Remembrance Day (Union Flag at half mast)

The Council had also flown the English National Flag during the English Football team’s participation in the World Cup, and the Polish flag at half mast outside the Municipal Building Crewe as a mark of respect following the Polish air disaster (12 April). The Cheshire East flag had also been flown at half mast following the death of Councillors.

The Department of Culture Media and Sport encouraged local authorities to fly the Union and English National Flags on a regular basis.

Members considered a proposed Flag Flying Policy for Cheshire East Council as appended to the report. This covered those occasions on which it would be appropriate to fly different flags from the Council’s public buildings, in particular the Union Flag, English National Flag, Cheshire East Borough Flag, Armed Forces Flag and the national flags of overseas visitors. The manner of flying the flag in particular circumstances was also dealt with. Members agreed that the Union Flag should also be flown at half mast in the event of the death of a soldier from the 1^st Battalion of the Mercian Regiment whilst on active service.

RESOLVED

That the proposed Flag Flying Policy in respect of civic buildings in Cheshire East be recommended to the Constitution Committee for approval.