City of Doncaster Council Flag Flying Protocol

This protocol governs the flying of flags on premises owned or controlled by the City of Doncaster Council (CDC). It also details the formal procedure that CDC undertakes upon receiving a new flag flying request.

Overview

Like many cities in the UK, Doncaster has a long tradition of flying relevant flags to commemorate and acknowledge local, national, and international events, celebrate local communities and in respect of the fallen and recently deceased.

The protocol is compliant with Government regulations which are summarised in the following guides: Flying flags: a plain English guide and Union Flag flying guidance for UK government buildings.

Review

Please note, this protocol will be periodically reviewed to ensure it remains fit for purpose and is up to date with the latest Government guidelines.

Flying of flags at premises owned or controlled by City of Doncaster Council

The flagpole for the CDC Civic Office is located in the Sir Nigel Gresley Square, Waterdale.

At a minimum, the Union Flag will be flown in accordance with the guidelines for UK government buildings (as detailed in Appendix C).

Flags are flown at full-mast as standard practice. Appendix A details the exceptional scenarios where a flag will be flown at half-mast.

Other CDC premises with a flagpole are permitted to fly the Union Flag, in accordance with the guidance stated above, with approval from the CEO and the Mayor’s cabinet

A second flag may be permitted to be flown on the Sir Nigel Gresley square flagpole in addition to the Union Flag in the following circumstances:

• The flag has been pre-approved in the annual schedule, as detailed in Appendix B.
• CDC has received and approved a request to fly a flag, submitted through the formal procedure.
• The CEO and the Mayor’s Cabinet have approved an exceptional circumstance in which an additional flag may be flown.

If the flagpole has a second flag in use, the Union Flag must be flown at a superior position. Please note, the flagpole can only accommodate a maximum of two flags at any time.

Submitting a request for flag flying in Sir Nigel Gresley Square

• Under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, CDC is required to have due regard to the need to promote good relations between people who share protected characteristics and those who do not, and to eliminate discrimination.
  
  
• Members of the public are able to submit a request form for the flying of a flag in the Sir Nigel Gresley Square.
  
  
• The request form must be submitted at least 28 days in advance of the proposed date of occurrence.
  
  
• Upon receiving an application a panel of CDC officers will review the information provided to make an informed decision, taking into consideration section 149 of the Equality Act 2010.
  
  
• Where there is insufficient information provided to make an informed decision the applicant may be asked for further details.
  
  
• As part of the decision making process, the Panel will consider alternative commemoration options which may be more suitable. For example, holding periods of silence or a vigil.
  
  
• If the Panel is unable to make a decision for any reason, the request will be escalated to the CEO who will make the decision with the Mayor and/or Deputy Mayor.
  
  
• Successful applicants will be notified of the final decision once it has been agreed by the Panel or by the CEO and the Mayor and/or Deputy Mayor.

REQUEST FOR FLAG FLYING FORM

Appendix A: Scenarios in which the Union Flag will be flown at half-mast

Following the death of a serving city Mayor, Councillor, South Yorkshire Combined Authority Mayor, Member of Parliament for Doncaster or CDC’s Chief Executive Officer.

Following the death of a Freeman of the City or a past Civic Mayor.

By special command from His Majesty:

• The death of a member or near relative of the Royal Family or the funeral of members of the Royal Family.
• The funerals of foreign Rulers.
• The funerals of Prime Ministers and ex-Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom.
• The funerals of First Ministers and ex-First Ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (unless otherwise commanded by the Sovereign, this only applies to flags in their respective countries).
• Any other occasions as commanded.

Another occasion which has been given approval by the Council CEO and the Mayor’s Cabinet. For example, following a national incident / tragedy.

Appendix B: Annual schedule for flag flying in the Sir Nigel Gresley Square

 Appendix C: Annual schedule for the flying of the Union Flag

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