Issue - meetings

The Charter Trustees are asked to consider its flag flying arrangements.

It is a matter for the Charter Trustees to adopt its own flag. The Coat of Arms for the former Borough of Poole is in the ownership of the Charter Trustees. There is an opportunity for the Charter Trustees to adopt the Coat of Arms as their flag.

Set out below are the proposed events that will be respected by the Charter Trustees:

The following notes should be considered

1.             Flags will also be flown on other occasions on the instructions of the Honorary Clerk who will consult with the Mayor (or in the Mayor's absence with the Deputy Mayor) in appropriate circumstances.

2.             The death of a serving civic dignitary will be observed by flying the appropriate flag at half-mast. The death of a former civic dignitary or former Charter Trustee will be observed by flying the adopted flag of the Charter Trustees at half-mast.

3.             Remembrance Day events are arranged by both Charter Trustees whilst the flying of appropriate flags in accordance with national guidance is reflected in the BCP Council flag flying policy.

Provision of Flagpoles for The Charter Trustees for Poole

The Charter Trustees currently do not have dedicated flagpoles which allow the flying of their adopted flag for relevant events. It is suggested that options be explored to allow for such a provision subject to necessary approvals.

The Deputy Head of Democratic Services reported on the opportunity for the Charter Trustees to consider the adoption of its own flag.  She highlighted the Borough of Poole Coat of Arms that was in the ownership of the Charter Trustees and could be an option.  The Charter Trustees were also asked to consider its own flag flying arrangements as a separate organisation which could include identifying specific events when a flag would be raised together with the provision of a flagpole for use by the Charter Trustees.

A question was raised on recognising former Borough of Poole Councillors who had passed away but were not Charter Trustees. The Deputy Head of Democratic Services reported that recognition for former Councillors was reflected in the BCP Flag Flying Protocol agreed by Cabinet earlier in the day and there was an opportunity to recognise former Charter Trustees in the same way.

Councillor Haines referred to the approval of the BCP Flag Flying Protocol at the Cabinet meeting earlier in the day. She emphasised the need for synergy between the Council and the Charter Trustees arrangements.  The Deputy Head of Democratic Services confirmed that the aim was for the BCP Council Flag Flying Protocol and any arrangements put in place by the Charter Trustees to be complimentary and work together.  Councillor Slade referred to a potential conflict of interest between the Coat of Arms and the Poole Flag highlighting that the Poole residents feel strongly that Charter Trustees should be flying the Poole flag, but it has no official status. She emphasised that she would be uncomfortable if the Charter Trustees adopted its own flag that was then in conflict with the historic people of Poole.  She highlighted the need for discussions on any proposals including the reasons for pursing a particular option and requested that Charter Day be included in the list of events when the adopted flag was flown. Councillor Stribley suggested that it was necessary to determine what we were referring to by the Poole Flag and to agree what we adopt as the Charter Trustees flag.  She explained the use of the coat of arms and potential changes since 1996 and in doing so expressed her preference for the coat of arms as the Charter Trustees flag.  The Deputy Head of Democratic Services referred to the suggestion of a small working group to look at this issue and report back to the Charter Trustees.

RESOLVED that a working group be established to consider the flag flying arrangements for the Charter Trustees for Poole and the adoption of a flag.

Voting: Agreed