Agenda and decisions

A webcast of the meeting can be viewed here.

A Call-in was received on Monday, 16 June 2025 in relation to the Cabinet decision taken on 12 June 2025 on the Protocol for Flying Flags at County Hall, a copy of which is attached to this agenda.

The decision of the Cabinet on this matter, together with the report which was considered by the Cabinet on 12 June, the previously agreed Protocol for Flying Flags at County Hall and representations received and considered by the Cabinet is attached as follows: -

·        Call-in Notice (Pages 9 – 10)

·        Cabinet Decision (Pages 11 – 12)

·        Cabinet report on Protocol for Flying Flags at County Hall – 12 June 2025 (Pages 13 – 16)

·        Appendix - Protocol for Flying Flags at County Hall (Pages 17 – 22)

·        Comments received by the Cabinet (Pages 23 – 25)

RESOLVED:

(a)        That the Cabinet be asked to reconsider its decision regarding the adoption of a new Protocol for Flying Flags at County Hall taken at its meeting held on 12 June 2025 having specific regard to:

(i)       Resolution 4(b)(iii), that “the fourth pole within the Quadrangle at County Hall be utilised to mark events such as Armed Forces Day, Commonwealth Day and Armistice Day”; and

(ii)     Resolution 4(c), “that decision in relation to all other requests to fly flags in relation to community events and celebration days be delegated to the Chief Executive following consultation with the Leader of the County Council.”

(b)        That the Cabinet be requested to speak with representatives of each of the Council’s staff working groups, and to give due consideration to the comments received from the County Council as a Corporate Parent, from County Council social workers and from members of the public in advance of the Cabinet meeting at which the Protocol for Flying Flags at County Hall is to be reconsidered;

(c)         That the Cabinet consider whether the Union flag could also be flown on the fourth flagpole in the quadrangle (as well as outside the front of County Hall) when other specific flags were not being flown;

(d)        That a copy of the minutes summarising all the comments now made by the Scrutiny Commission be presented to the Cabinet for consideration in support of (a) and (b) above.

REASON FOR DECISION:

Resolution 4(b)(iii) is considered too vague and unclear and should instead specifically state which of the flags in the list of the previously agreed Flag Flying Protocol will be flown. This is necessary to ensure clarity and consistency.

Resolution 4(c) should be restricted to make clear that the delegation to the Chief Executive should only be exercised in response to exceptional national and/or international issues that arise from time to time.

To ensure that Staff Working Groups are properly consulted and their views taken into account in accordance with due process.

The next meeting of the Commission is scheduled to take place on Monday, 8^th September 2025.