Oxfordshire County Council update UK flag flying policy

The authority recently came under scrutiny after it successfully won an injunction against Raise the Colours to stop members from placing flags up on public infrastructure.

It has received criticism from some, but the council argues the group has been intimidating, being confrontational and harassing towards the staff who take them down.

Small amendments that are being looked at in the flag-flying protocol include flying the flag at half-mast when a councillor on Oxford City Council dies.

Old County Hall (Image: Oxford Mail)

Susannah Wintersgill, director of public affairs and policy, told a meeting that if another country was in conflict and County Hall wanted to recognise that, but it was “politically sensitive”, then a white flag would be flown, as advised by legal services.

But Conservative councillor Thomas Ashby suggested the white flag – a symbol of surrender – should not be flown. This was backed by cabinet member Neil Fawcett.

READ MORE: Raise the Colours Oxfordshire leader to stand trial over ‘indecent child images’

Throughout the whole year though, with some exceptions, the Union flag will be flown from County Hall.

People can request certain flags are flown from the New Road offices, but the director of law and governance, monitoring officer and chair of the council has the discretion to authorise this.

Councillor Thomas Ashby (Image: Councillor Thomas Ashby)

Susannah Wintersgill, director of public affairs and policy at Oxfordshire County Council (Image: OCC)

“The decision of the council to fly flags should be made in the spirit of displaying universal allegiance, support or respect or to celebrate a significant international, national or local occasion,” the council’s policy says.

“It should be considered whether it is appropriate for a local authority to display such support on behalf of its communities.

“The decision should ultimately reflect the values of Oxfordshire County Council.”

All submissions for flags to be displayed, rejected or not, should be published with the name of the requester and the rationale behind the decision.

Exceptions for when the Union flag is not flown is during one week in April of each year when the flag of St George is flown, the Commonwealth flag in March, pride month in June, Armed Forces Week also in June and Remembrance Day in November, for the first 11 days.

Flags will be flown at half-mast during the deaths and funerals of the monarch, a royal, current or former prime ministers, a serving armed forces member from Oxfordshire and of anybody of the advise of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

Holocaust Memorial Day, on January 27, will also see the flag flown at half-mast, likewise when a major incident such as a terrorist attack has happened and British lives have been lost and when other nations are in mourning.