Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive which provided an opportunity for the Cabinet to respond to the request from the Scrutiny Commission that it reconsider the Protocol for Flying Flags at County Hall, which it had previously agreed at a meeting on 12 June.  A copy of the report marked ‘Agenda Item 5’ is filed with these minutes. 

The Scrutiny Commission had called in the decision taken by the Cabinet at its meeting on 12 June.  Comments from the Scrutiny Commission, which had considered a report at its meeting on 24 June, were circulated separately and are also filed with these minutes. 

Thanks were given to the Scrutiny Commission for the work it had undertaken and for the proposed revised resolutions for the Protocol.  Thanks were also given to other parties who had commented on the Cabinet proposals.  The Leader stated that, although it had not been possible to meet with the Staff Networks prior to this meeting, arrangements were being made to ensure that a meeting took place as soon as possible.

Members of the Cabinet gave assurance that whilst they understood the wishes of individual groups to have different flags flying to represent their interests, the proposed Protocol was intended to create unity.

(KEY DECISION)

RESOLVED:

a)    That this special meeting of the Cabinet was called in response to the requirements of the Constitution to meet within ten working days of the Scrutiny Commission, when the scheduled meeting of the Cabinet on 15^th July would have been too late;

b)    That the Cabinet regrets through the unavailability of one staff group that it was not possible for the staff groups, who wanted a collective meeting, to meet with the Leader of the Council prior to this special meeting and notes that arrangements are in hand for the requested meeting to take place;

c)    That the Scrutiny Commission and other parties be thanked for their comments on the new Protocol;

d)    That, in regard to requests from the Scrutiny Commission to consider changes to the new Protocol for Flying Flags at County Hall, it is resolved:

                        i.         To fly the Union Flag from the pole in the quadrangle at all times when specific flags to mark Armed Forces Day, Commonwealth Day and Armistice Day are not being flown;

                       ii.         That the flying from that pole of other specific flags be restricted to a recognition of exceptional national or international events which may arise, such flags be determined in the circumstances by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council, with the other political group leaders to be notified at the time;

                      iii.         That the above be written in to the Protocol;

                     iv.         That, in all other respects, the decision of the Cabinet at its meeting on 12^th June 2025 to introduce a new Protocol for Flying Flags at County Hall stands; and

                       v.         That the new Protocol be confirmed as follows:

Protocol for Flying Flags at County Hall

1.    The Union Flag and the County Flag will fly permanently from two of the three flag poles at the front of County Hall.

2.    The third flag pole at the front of County Hall will fly the St George’s flag, or the Lord Lieutenant’s flag (when he is present at County Hall in an official capacity).

3.    In the event of a Royal Visit to County Hall, advice from the Royal Household will determine if any other flag should be flown at the front of County Hall.

4.    The fourth flag pole, within the Quadrangle at County Hall, will be utilised to mark Armed Forces Day, Commonwealth Day and Armistice Day. The Union Flag will be flown from this flag pole at all times when another specific flag is not being flown.

5.    The flying of other specific flags from the fourth flag pole will be restricted to a recognition of exceptional national or international events which may arise, such flags be determined in the circumstances by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council, with the other political group leaders to be notified at the time.