Worthing Borough Council

Flying the Flag on UK Government Buildings

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01903 239999

democratic.services@worthing.gov.uk

Following the publication of the White Paper, The Governance of Britain: Constitutional Renewal (CM 7342-1), and the Consultation Analyses Document (CM 7342-3) on 25 March 2008, the Government has decided give UK Government departments the freedom to fly the Union Flag on their buildings whenever they choose to.

In addition, the Government has decided that, to celebrate the Union’s constituent parts, on the patron saints’ days of Scotland and Wales, the Saltire of St Andrew and the Welsh Dragon Flag may also be flown with the Union Flag on Government buildings in the wider London Whitehall area where there are two or more flag poles.

Under the flag flying guidance, on St George’s Day the Cross of St George may be flown from UK Government buildings in England with two or more flags poles.

When should flags be flown?

To view details of the scheduled dates on which flags should be flown please see the list of flag flying dates below. The Union Flag will be flown on our properties from 8:00am until sunset on these dates.

The Executive Head of Legal and Democratic Services may issue advice on occasions when additional unexpected flag flying is required (eg following the death of a prominent individual or as a mark of respect for a significant event).

Managers are responsible for determining any other flag flying arrangements on council properties within their respective areas. Flags will only be flown for the duration of the one special day or a relevant visit.

How should the Union Flag be flown?

The correct way up for the Union Flag when flying is with the broader diagonal white stripe at the top left hand side of the flag nearest the flagpole:

 - Correct

 - Wrong

The Union Flag must always be flown in a 'superior' position:

• On the highest flagpole
• On the centre flagpole where there is an odd number of poles of the same height, or
• On the left centre flagpole viewed from the front of the building, where there is an even number of the same height.

What is half-mast and when should flags be flown at half mast?

When flags are to be flown at half-mast they should be two-thirds up between the top and bottom of the flagstaff with at least the height of the flag between the top of the flag and the top of the flagpole.

When raising the flag it should always be hoisted right up and then lowered back down to half-mast. Likewise before it is lowered at sunset, it should first be hoisted right up and then lowered back down.

Flags should be flown at half-mast on the following occasions

• From the announcement of the death up to the funeral of the Sovereign, except on Proclamation Day (the Day of the announcement of the Accession of the new Sovereign), when the flags are hoisted right up from 11:00am to sunset,
• In the event of the death of a member of the Royal Family, flags should be lowered from the day of death to the day of the funeral, subject to special commands from Her Majesty in each case,
• The funerals of foreign rulers, subject to special commands from Her Majesty in each case,
• The funerals of Prime Ministers and ex-Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom, subject to special commands from Her Majesty in each case,
• The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will inform of any other occasions where Her Majesty has given a special command.

What Happens when flag flying days coincide with days for flying flags at half-mast?

Flags should be flown right up:

• although a member of the Royal Family, or a near relative of the Royal Family, may be lying dead, unless special commands are received from Her Majesty to the contrary, and
• although it may be the day of the funeral of a foreign ruler.

Union Flag Flying Days

• January
  • 20 January : Birthday of the Countess of Wessex
  • 27 January : Holocaust Day
• February
  • 6 February : Her Majesty’s Accession
  • 19 February : Birthday of The Duke of York
• March
  • 10 March : Birthday - Earl of Wessex 
  • Second Monday in March : Commonwealth Day
• April
  • 21 April : Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen
  • 23 April : St George's Day
• May
  • 9 May : Europe Day
• June
  • 2 June : Coronation Day
  • 10 June : Birthday of The Duke of Edinburgh
  • 14 June : Official Celebration of Her Majesty’s Birthday
• July
  • 17 July : Birthday of The Duchess of Cornwall
• August
  • 15 August : Birthday of The Princess Royal
• October
  • 21 October : Trafalgar Day
  • 24 October : United Nations Day
• November
  • 11 November : Remembrance Day
  • Second Sunday in November : Remembrance Sunday
  • 14 November : Birthday of The Prince of Wales
  • 20 November : Her Majesty’s Wedding Day
    
    
• Other special days at Her Majesty's command
• See also: Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) : Flag Flying Dates

Worthing Borough Council Flag

• Meeting of Full Council

and at half mast:

• Death of ex-Chairman
• Death of a member of the council
• A member of council staff who died during the course of carrying out the duties of his/her employment

Sussex Flag

• Sussex day – 16th June

Armed Forces Flag

• Armed Forces Day – 25th June

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