Decision details

1.

Title of Item/Report

Flag Flying Policy – Historic Counties Flags

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report on the Flag Flying Policy – Historic Counties Flags.

The report presented the options to amend the Council’s flag flying policy to celebrate the Historic Counties which fall within the Borough boundaries.

A request had been received from a member of the public to recognise the historic county of Durham through the Council’s flag flying policy. With regard to options for flying historic county flags, the following dates were relevant for Stockton-on-Tees:

•         County Durham Day – 20 March - the feast day for St Cuthbert. The Durham Flag could be flown at the Town Hall (north of River Tees in the historic county of Durham)

•         Yorkshire Day – 1 August - marking the anniversary of the Battle of Minden. The Yorkshire Flag could be flown at Dunedin House (south of River Tees in the historic North Riding of Yorkshire)

A copy of the Council’s current flag flying policy was attached to the report. The current policy provided for the Union Flag to be flown from the headquarters building at all times and for the Union Flag to be flown on the Town Hall with the exception of designated days for other flags. If the Historic County Flag Days were to be recognised, the flag flying policy would be amended.

RESOLVED that the Council’s flag flying policy be updated to recognise Durham Day on 20 March and Yorkshire Day on 1 August.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

To respond to a request from a member of the public to mark the Historic Counties through the Council’s flag flying policy.

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None

5.

Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest

None

6.

Details of any Dispensations

None

7.

Date and Time by which Call In must be executed

Midnight, 23 October 2026