Flag flying

The Union Flag will be flown at full mast all year at any Thurrock Council site within the borough that has a designated flagpole. The Union Flag must always be flown in accordance with guidance notes from the Flag Institute.

In addition:

• where there are 2 or more flagpoles, the Union Flag should be flown in accordance with British flag protocol
• flags that are flown 24-hours a day must be illuminated at night
• any changes to usual flag flying arrangements must be carried out at dawn and dusk in line with usual protocol

The St George flag and the Thurrock Coat of Arms flag are flown on the flagpoles at the Civic Offices in New Road, Grays.

The flags will fly at full mast on Remembrance Sunday.

Other flags may be flown in place of the Thurrock Coat of Arms flag on occasions such as Armed Forces Day and as agreed by the mayor or chief executive.

Flying flags at half-mast

Half-mast means the flag is flown two-thirds of the way up the flagpole, with at least the height of the flag between the top of the flag and the top of the flagpole. The Union Flag will be flown at half-mast on the following occasions:

• the death of a member of the monarchy, the prime ministers, or others in accordance with British flag protocol
• the death or funeral of a serving officer in the armed forces from the borough
• the death or funeral of a freeman of the borough, mayor, former mayor or member of the council
• at the discretion of the mayor or chief executive, in accordance with the council's mourning protocol

When a British national flag is at half-mast, other flags on the same stand of poles should also be at half-mast or should not be flown at all.

Borough flag on the mayoral car

When attending events outside of the borough, permission is requested to fly the Thurrock borough flag from the borough being visited. If permission is not given, then the flag should be taken off the mayoral car when it reaches the boundary of the borough. If the event is within the borough then no permission is needed.

Questions and approval

No flag flying activity by, or on behalf of the council, is to be undertaken without the approval of the mayor. The mayor or chief executive will be consulted on all matters relating to flag protocol and any questions should be submitted in writing to the mayor's office.