Flag-flying policy

Our stance on flags

Across our communities we recognise there are a range of views about flags; as a council we respect these different views. Our aim as a council is to balance these different views while keeping our residents and public spaces safe, respectful and compliant with policy.

We therefore have made our position and policy on flags clear: we support the Union Flag. Putting up the Union Flag is not a hate crime and we have never suggested that it is. What we DO NOT however, support, is the unauthorised attachment of flags or any other objects to street lighting columns, highway infrastructure or other public street furniture due to health and safety issues including the use of bamboo canes, damage and costs to residents, nor do we support or tolerate the abuse of our staff and members.    

Permission is required before attaching anything to council property, and we know many residents assume this is the case. In particular, it should be noted that the unauthorised affixing of any signage or other similar item to the highway or highway structure can be deemed as a criminal offence; we are looking to prosecute but this takes time to gather and prepare evidence including historical evidence from a period of up to six months.

All incidents reported by members of the public should be directed to investigations@shropshire.gov.uk. These reports will be logged, shared with West Mercia Police where appropriate, and used to inform our ongoing review of the situation and potential for use in evidence for prosecutions. 

Removing flags is not normal council business, it is not a statutory service and therefore it comes at an additional cost to the council and its residents, the cost varies depending on the number, location of flags and arrangements required to remove. For example, after Storm Amy the cost of their removal was around £13,000.

We plan to remove all unauthorised flags from our street lighting columns and other highway assets. This will be in Shrewsbury initially with plans to remove all unauthorised flags across the county in time. We are actively working with our partners, including West Mercia Police and our contractors, to determine the most effective and proportionate response. Our aim is to safeguard both road users and those tasked with removing any unsafe installations on our behalf.

The union flag

The union flag is flown on a daily basis unless otherwise directed. Designated days for flying the union flag on UK government buildings:

  • 1 March: St David’s Day (in Wales)
  • 13 March: Commonwealth Day (second Monday in March)
  • 17 March: St Patrick’s Day (in Northern Ireland)
  • 9 April: His Majesty’s Wedding Day
  • 23 April: St George’s Day (in England)
  • 6 May: Coronation Day
  • 17 June: Official Birthday of His Majesty The King
  • 21 June: Birthday of The Prince of Wales
  • 17 July: Birthday of The Queen Consort
  • 8 September: His Majesty’s Accession
  • 12 November: Remembrance Day (second Sunday in November)
  • 14 November: Birthday of His Majesty The King
  • 30 November: St Andrew’s Day (in Scotland)

Flying the flag at half mast

  • From the announcement of the death until after the funeral of the sovereign, except on Proclamation Day when flags are hoisted to full mast
  • The funerals of members of the royal family, upon command of the sovereign
  • The funerals of foreign rulers upon command of the sovereign
  • The funeral of prime ministers and ex-prime ministers of the UK upon command of the sovereign
  • Other occasions upon command of the sovereign

The county flag

The county flag is flown when the unitary council sits. This is also flown on Bligny Day to commemorate the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry battle on 6 June.

On the day of the announcement of death and the day of the funeral following the death of a councillor, former councillor or other prominent citizen of the county, it's flown at half-mast. On those occasions it supersedes the union flag.

Other flags

The following flags are also flown:

  • 1 March: St David’s Day – Welsh flag
  • 13 March: Commonwealth Day – Commonwealth flag
  • 24 – 26 March: Shrewsbury LBGT+ History – rainbow flag
  • 23 April: St George's Day – St George Cross
  • 17 May: International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Lesbophobia and Transphobia – Rainbow Flag
  • 4 July: USA Independence Day – US flag
  • 24 October: United Nations Day – UN
  • 30 November: St Andrew's Day – St Andrew's Cross

There may also be further requests to fly alternative/additional flags for specific occasions. This protocol is for the chief executive to agree to on a case-by-case basis. Any such flag will be in place of the union flag, as it would be inappropriate to fly such flags under the union flag. Should an event requiring the flying of the union flag occur during that period, that event shall take precedence.