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 Bournemouth Borough Council 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 Bournemouth

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 that the former Borough of Bournemouth Coat of Arms 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.

Councillor Borthwick felt that it was a great opportunity to investigate this and put in place arrangements this year and he was happy to propose that approach.  Councillor Coope suggested that the adopted flag should be used for special occasions such as the Queen’s Birthday and the Platinum Jubilee next year and seconded Council Borthwick’s proposal.  Councillor Mark Anderson asked about the cost of the provision of a flagpole for the Charter Trustees.  The Mayor whilst welcoming the points that had been made suggested that a small working group be set up to consider this issue and report back to the Charter Trustees.  Councillor Williams volunteered to sit on the Working Group.  Councillor Filer referred to the coat of arms and indicated that she would welcome it being adopted as the Charter Trustees flag. Councillor Dunlop referred to the BCP Flag Flying Protocol and the potential for a Charter Trustees adopted flag and felt that there were too many flags and suggested that there should be a modern approach to this issue.  Councillor Dunlop highlighted that the coat of arms was meaningful to older generations whose history was in the Town, but she wondered if it meant anything to most of Bournemouth’s modern residents.  Councillor Hedges sought clarity on whether the coat of arms was being changed in anyway.  The Mayor reported that no such recommendations had been submitted.  Councillor Bartlett reported that through the LGR process it had been acknowledged that each town would retain its identity and heritage and part of that was to recognise that the mayoralties had to be retained.  He felt that the civic history was important to people in the town.  Councillor Dove confirmed that at no point did she understand Councillor Dunlop’s comments to mean the destruction of the heritage or moving away from the pride of the town.  She suggested that it would be prudent for the working party to consider whether or not the Charter Trustees move away from a flag and consider how to appeal to a younger cohort and offer a more inclusive approach.

Councillor Borthwick and Coope withdrew their move.

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

Voting: Agreed