Flag Flying Policy
Document Control
Document No. POL-P12
Adoption Date Jul 2019
Last Review Date Apr 2026
Next Review Date Feb 2028
Parish Office
Whittle Hall Community Centre
Lonsdale Close
Great Sankey www.greatsankeypc.org.uk
Warrington enquiries@gs-pc.net
WA5 3UA 01925 712279
GSPC Flag Flying Policy
1. Context
Flags are traditionally flown for a variety of reasons, for example to show allegiance, support,
respect or to celebrate. This policy reflects guidance from the Department of Communities
and Local Government and the Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and sets out
the protocol and procedure for flying flags at the Parish Office at Whittle Hall Community
Centre. The Parish Council will always endeavour to be sensitive to the views of all sectors
of its community and will never use flags for political purposes.
2. Protocol and Procedure for Flags
2.1 The Parish Council owns a flagpole situated at the Parish Offices at Whittle Hall
Community Centre, Lonsdale Close, Great Sankey, WA5 3UA
2.2 The Parish Council may at any time and at its sole discretion decide on the use of the
flagpole and the flags it flies within the constraints of this policy.
2.3 On designated days following guidance from the Department of Culture, Media & Sport
(see section 3) national flags or those commemorating a specific event shall be flown all
day.
2.4 Flags shall not be flown during severe weather conditions or strong winds, or during
planned maintenance.
2.5 Flags should not be flown in a worn, damaged or soiled condition as that could imply
disrespect to the nation, occasion or organisation that they represent.
2.6 Flags may only be raised by persons authorised by the Parish Council.
2.7 The Union flag1 may be flown at half-mast to mark the following occasions:
2.7.1 On the death/funeral of the Sovereign
2.7.2 On the death/funeral of another member of the Royal Family
2.7.3 On the death/funeral of the Prime Minister
2.7.4 At the discretion of the Chair, or following guidance from the Department of
Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, the Union Flag may be flown at times of national
mourning due to a major incident where British lives are lost.
2.7.5 At the discretion of the Chair, or following guidance from the Department of
Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, the Union Flag may be flown to show respect
and support to other nations who are in periods of national mourning.
1 Half-mast means the flag is flown two-thirds of the way up the flagpole with at least the height of the
flag between the top of the flag and the top of the flagpole. It should first be raised all the way to the
top of the mast, remain there a second and then be lowered. When being lowered from half-mast, it
should again be raised to the top for a second before being fully lowered.
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GSPC Flag Flying Policy
3. Flag Flying Schedule
The following flags do not require consent from the local planning authority. Where an event
date falls on a weekend, the appropriate flag will be flown from the Friday before until the
Monday after the event.
Union Flag
Official celebration of His Majesty’s birthday June (usually third Saturday)
Armed Forces Day June
Remembrance Day Second Sunday in November
Other Flags
Parish Council flag – when other flags do not take precedence
Red Ensign – on Merchant Navy Day, 3rd September
Pride flag – dates to be agreed
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