Content

13.1

The Director of Policy and Democratic Engagement
submitted a report proposing some minor amendments to the Flag
Protocol agreed by the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee in
March 2024, to respond to feedback received from some community
groups relating to the flying of flags on patron saints’
days.
 
If approved, the report will allow for
appropriate alternative flags to be flown on patron saints’
days

 

 

13.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and
Resources Policy Committee approve the amendments to the Flag
Protocol as described in the report and set out at Appendix
A.

 

 

13.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

13.3.1

In adopting the
proposed revisions to the Flag Protocol
the committee will respond positively to the feedback received
following last year’s St Patrick’s Day and will provide
flexibility to support the continued flying of an appropriate flag
for each of the four patron saints days that the Council
marks.

 

 

13.4

Alternatives Considered and
Rejected

 

 

13.4.1

Alternative Option 1: Not to make changes to the Flag
Protocol
 
This option was rejected on the basis that it would not respond
to the concerns raised by the Irish community in the city and could
lead to a sense of exclusion for members of that
community.

 

 

13.4.2

Alternative Option 2: To remove the provision for flying flags
on patron saints
days
 
This option was rejected on the basis that it has been
long-standing practice to celebrate the contributions of people
from Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland/Northern Ireland on their
respective patron saints’ days and that there has been no
call from any section of the community to stop doing
so.