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Flags are an important part of the life in the UK. They represent community, loyalty and allegiance. Flying a flag is a cultural and social recognition of place, and as such should be flown with dignity and care.
On 25 March 2008, the Department for Culture Media and Sport announced that UK government buildings in England, Scotland and Wales have the freedom to fly the Union Flag at all times, if they wish to do so.
On 4 September 2025, the council’s Cabinet agreed a Flag Policy which can be viewed in full and is summarised below.
Flag flying policy (PDF, 62KB)
Flag flying policy frequently asked questions (PDF, 86KB)
The Chairman of the Council has sole discretion to authorise: flag(s), dates/durations of flight, order of flags, height of flags and amendments to the calendar of flag days.
The day-to-day standard order of flags flown shall be (left to right):
- Warwickshire County Flag
- Union Flag (highest height)
- St George's Flag
A Calendar of flag days is maintained by the Civic Office.
Calendar of flag days 2025/2026 (PDF, 115KB)
All flag change requests should be made by completing the flag request form. Requestors should ideally provide at least two weeks’ notice. Planning permission is sometimes required to fly flags not covered by government guidance and therefore a longer lead in period will be required to implement such requests and this should be taken into account when considering the timing of a request.
The Chairman shall communicate requests and his/her decisions on them to the Leader of the Council, the Deputy Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive; who shall effect the authorised changes.
View the record of decisions (XLXS, 22KB)
In circumstances where the council receives instruction to alter the flying of flags as a matter of Royal Protocol (for example in the instance of the death of a sovereign) those instructions shall take precedence, but shall be discussed with the Chairman of the Council.