Plymouth City Council has approved a new policy that gives the city’s unelected Chief Executive the final say over which flags are flown and when landmark buildings are lit up.
The Commemorations and Celebrations Policy has now been signed off by Cabinet, replacing what the council described as a confusing and inconsistent system that saw requests sent to multiple officers.
Under the new rules, anyone wanting a flag to be flown or a building to be illuminated must submit a request through an online form at least two months in advance.
Each request will be reviewed by an officer advisory group, with the final decision taken by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council.
The council claims the policy is intended to ensure decisions are “fair, consistent and transparent.”
But the final say will now be in the hands of their Chief Executive, who is not elected by the public.
Previously, Plymouth City Council said national flags erected across the city without authorisation would be removed for ‘safety reasons’.
The new policy outlines strict criteria which must be met before a request is approved.
This includes whether the request promotes community cohesion, whether it aligns with the council’s civic principles, and whether there are practical issues around safety, permissions or cost.
The policy explicitly states that anything considered party political or likely to cause division will not be approved.
It also sets out that agreeing to a request does not set a precedent for future decisions, even if a similar flag or lighting display has been approved in the past.
Councillor Chris Penberthy, (Lab, St Peter and the Waterfront) said the policy was about setting clear expectations for everyone. He said:
“This policy is about clarity and fairness. Flying a flag or lighting up a landmark is a powerful way to show pride, solidarity or remembrance – but it needs to be done in a way that reflects Plymouth’s values. Now, everyone knows how to make a request and what we consider when making decisions.
“We’ve created a single, simple process so requests go to the right team first time. This means quicker responses and decisions that are consistent, transparent and respectful of our civic principles.”
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