Flag Protocol
Flags at Half Mast
When setting a flag at half-mast, it must be hoisted to the top of the pole with a pause once it reaches the top before then lowering it into half-mast position. It is recommended the flag is lowered to a third the way from the top of the flagpole as half-mast positioning, as this is a more recognisable placement of the flag. Flag poles at some sites are marked appropriately at the point where the top of the flag should touch when positioned as half-mast.
If the Union flag is at half-mast then all other flags should also be positioned this way, and any event flags removed. The exception to the rule of half-mast is that the Royal Standard should never be flown at half-mast due to it being a representation of the continuous nature of the Monarchy.
For training purposes, videos of how to fly a flag at both full and half-mast can be found on the Flag Institute website.
Central government will inform Buckinghamshire council when a national event occurs and based on the event, The Policy team will then confirm what is required in regards to flying a flag at half-mast, including a directive of which flag/s should be flown and for what duration. Flags on all Buckinghamshire council buildings must be lowered to half-mast unless directed otherwise.
The table below states the likely actions to be taken regarding the flags at half-mast if a senior member of the royal family or significant political figures die. A more detailed table which stipulates the appropriate time of which to fly flags at half-mast for the death of significant figures not noted below and the process following majors incidents can be found in the BCC major incidents and events protocol.
| Deceased |
Flag Flown |
Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Sovereign | Union Flag |
Refer to Operation London Bridge and the directions for flag process’ within that protocol document (available from the Policy Team) |
| Senior Member of the Royal Family | Union Flag |
Refer to Operation Bridge protocol for marking the death of a senior member of the Royal Family |
|
Prime Minister or former Prime Minister |
Union Flag |
On the day of the funeral only unless otherwise informed by national approach |
| Serving Local Member of Parliament | Buckinghamshire County Flag | On the day of funeral only |
| Former MP | Buckinghamshire County Flag | On the day of the funeral only |
| Serving Leader of the Council | Buckinghamshire County Flag |
From the day of death until sunset on the day of the funeral |
| Serving Chairman of the Council | Buckinghamshire County Flag |
From the day of death until sunset on the day of the funeral |
| The High Sheriff/Under Sheriff | Buckinghamshire County Flag | From the day of death until sunset on the day of the funeral |
| HM Lord-Lieutenant | Buckinghamshire County Flag | From the day of death until sunset on the day of the funeral |
| Honorary Alderman | Buckinghamshire County Flag | On the day of the funeral only |
| Serving Councillor | Buckinghamshire County Flag | On the day of the funeral only |
Any additional considerations to lower flags to half-mast must be considered and signed off by a member of CMT.
The process of moving flags to half-mast must not occur until Buckinghamshire Council has been formally notified of a death or incident. Facilities teams will be notified by the Policy team of a co-ordinated approach for all Buckinghamshire Council sites.