Council Report - Flag Flying Protocol Update - Final
Renfrewshire Council · 25 September 2025
Back to Council — 25 September 2025 and its agenda
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Council On: 25 September 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Finance & Resources ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Flag Flying Protocol Update ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 At its meeting on 26 June 2025 Council considered a Governance report. As part of that report the programme for flag flying as previously approved by Council was set out as an appendix. Council agreed the contents of the appendix but with additional changes to the current arrangements in Renfrew and Johnstone, and revised arrangements in 2026 at Renfrew, Johnstone and Paisley. 1.2 This report provides an update on those revised arrangements and asks that Members further consider matters in respect of Houstoun Square Johnstone. _________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations Council is asked to: 2.1 Note the update provided in the report. 2.2 Consider matters in respect of the third flagpole at Houstoun Square Johnstone.
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3. Background 3.1 At its meeting on 26 June 2025 Council considered a Governance report. As part of that report the programme for flag flying as previously approved by Council was set out as an appendix. The terms of the report were agreed. In addition Council agreed a motion in the following terms:- "Council agrees that the Burgh flags of Renfrew and Johnstone be flown from the relevant flagpoles in those towns except on occasions as contained in Appendix 2 and confirms that the existing arrangements for Renfrewshire House which represents the Renfrewshire Council area remains the same, until such time as the Council determines otherwise. Council also notes and recognises that the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Renfrewshire Council occurs in 2026. Council therefore agrees that the flag of Renfrewshire Council be flown to mark the occasion from the relevant flag poles during 2026. Council further agrees that the above matters be delegated to the Provost and relevant officers." 3.2 Following the agreement of that motion officers have commenced arrangements for creation of flags bearing the Council Coat of Arms. Following discussions with the Provost, arrangements will be made to fly these flags at Renfrewshire House, Renfrew Town Hall and Houstoun Square Johnstone in April 2026. 3.3 Following the decision to fly a flag bearing the Renfrew Burgh Coat of Arms at Renfrew Town Hall, appropriate arrangements were made with Renfrew Community Council. The Provost offered to host a civic reception to mark the event. The civic reception and flag raising took place on Thursday 31st July at Renfrew Town Hall. 3.4 Following the decision to fly a flag bearing the Johnstone Burgh Coat of Arms at Houstoun Square, contact was made with the Lord Lyon to obtain details of that Coat of Arms to allow an appropriate flag to be sourced. The Lord Lyon advised that under the Local Government (Scotland) Act, the status of ‘Burgh’ was abolished in 1975. This made the 1955 Grant of Arms to the Burgh of Johnstone redundant. The Lord Lyon therefore advised they the Coat of Arms may not be displayed. The Lord Lyon further advised that it would be possible for a relevant third party organisation to lodge a petition for those Arms to be matriculated to them. The Council cannot pursue such a petition as we cannot hold more than one coat of arms. 3.5 Following receipt of the information from the Lord Lyon, the Provost made contact with all Members asking for their views on her proposal that as an alternative course the flag of Johnstone Burgh Football Club could be flown meantime. There was no consensus on that suggestion, so it was not progressed.
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3.6 Johnstone Community Council have advised the Council that they intend petitioning the Lord Lyon to matriculate the Johnston Coat of Arms. If that petition is successful, the Community Council could then give permission to the Council to fly that flag. However, the indication from the Lord Lyon is that the process could take as much as 30-36 months. 3.7 The third flagpole at Houstoun Square has been subject to criminal damage on a number of occasions. The most recent incident led to the flagpole being damaged to such an extent that it required a complete replacement at a cost of £4950. No flag has been flown at the location since that incident and subsequent replacement. 3.8 Members are asked to consider what arrangements they wish to be put in place in respect of this location prior to the arrangements set out in para 3.2 in April 2026. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – as set out in the report. 2. HR & Organisational Development – none. 3. Community/Council Planning – none. 4. Legal – as set out in the report 5. Property/Assets – none. 6. Information Technology – none. 7. Equality & Human Rights The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health & Safety – none. 9. Procurement – none. 10. Risk – none. 11. Privacy Impact - none
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12. Climate Risk - none 13. Cosla Policy Position – none. 14. Children’s Rights – none _________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers: None ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Mark Conaghan Head of Corporate Governance 0141 618 7177 mark.conaghan@renfrewshire.gov.uk