Trowbridge Town Council has approved a new Flag-Flying Policy, setting out a clear and consistent approach to the flags flown from Council-owned flagpoles across the town.
The revised policy reflects the Council’s plans to install two additional flagpoles: one at The Down Cemetery and a second on the side of the Civic Centre, which will be positioned at a 45-degree angle.
The additional flagpole at the Civic Centre will enable the Union Flag to continue to fly from the rooftop flagpole throughout the year, while allowing the Council to recognise and celebrate other significant national, civic, community and commemorative occasions by flying an appropriate flag from the additional flagpole.
The approach reflects current UK Government guidance, which encourages the Union Flag to be flown on UK Government buildings throughout the year, alongside other national and local flags where appropriate. While this guidance is directed at UK Government buildings, Trowbridge Town Council has chosen to have regard to it as part of its own civic protocol and flag-flying arrangements.
Once the new flagpole at The Down Cemetery has been installed, it will normally display the Green Flag Award flag, recognising the cemetery’s achievement in receiving this prestigious award. On designated commemorative occasions, the Union Flag will be flown instead, in accordance with the Council’s Flag-Flying Policy.
At the War Memorial, the Union Flag will continue to be flown as the principal flag, ensuring that the flagpole remains appropriately dressed and providing a permanent mark of respect and civic recognition.
The new arrangements will give the Council greater flexibility to recognise important occasions while maintaining the prominence of the Union Flag and following established flag-flying protocol.
The display of flags is also subject to the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007, as amended, which set out the circumstances in which flags may be displayed without express consent or with deemed consent.
The Council’s new Flag-Flying Policy, together with its Flag-Flying Calendar, can be viewed on the Trowbridge Town Council website.
