South Lanarkshire councillors have approved a new protocol for the flags which will be flown outside the council’s HQ in Hamilton.
In September, a motion was proposed by Councillor Kenny McCreary requesting that the Union Flag be permanently flown outside the building.
Following this, a protocol for which flags will be flown was drafted by chief executive Cleland Sneddon.
It references the previously-agreed motion and the national flag policy governing Scottish Government buildings. The chief executive also consulted all political group leaders on the draft protocol prior to presenting at the full council meeting today. All parties were in agreement and no negative responses were received.
Councillor McCreary, said: “I’d just like to thank the chief executive and his officers for fulfilling the request from the full council and preparing the flag protocol.
“As members will know, the proposed protocol respects not only the Saltire and the Union Flag of our four countries, but also of causes and dates such as LGBT Month, Emergency Services Day, World Aids Day and International Workers’ Memorial Say to name but a few.
“I’m sure we all hope the Ukrainian war will end soon, but until it does, the document will recommend that the Ukrainian flag is included in our flag protocol. The protocol which has been produced is what is required in my opinion and I commend it to the council.”
The new plans will see the Union Flag, Saltire and South Lanarkshire Council Flag being flown every day except for certain occasions.
However, due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, a Ukrainian flag will be flown instead of the South Lanarkshire Council flag until the conflict ends and only removed on certain days.
Other exceptions where there will be a deviation from the standard protocol includes: the beginning of LGBT Month, Commonwealth Day, International Workers’ Memorial day, Europe Day, International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, Autistic Pride Day, Armed Forces Day, Merchant Navy Day, Emergency Services 999 Day, Remembrance Day, Transgender Remembrance Day, St Andrew’s Day, World AIDS Day.
The Ukrainian Flag, or South Lanarkshire Council Flag, will be removed to make way for flags to mark these occasions.
On International Workers’ Memorial Day and Remembrance Day, the three flags will be flown at half mast. On St Andrew’s Day, the Saltire and Union Jack will switch, with the Saltire taking precedence on this day.
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