HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

CABINET

WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2008 AT 2.00 p.m.

A COUNTY FLAG FOR HERTFORDSHIRE

Report of the County Secretary

Author: Andrew Laycock, County Secretary

Tel: 01992 555500

Executive Member: Robert Gordon

1. Purpose of Report

To seek approval for the adoption of a County Flag for Hertfordshire.

2. Background

2.1 Many local authorities have approved flags for their areas for general use within the local community. The flags can be used to promote the area and also to encourage a sense of identity. The Flag Institute (a worldwide membership based organisation) will register flags at no cost. The Institute requires that an authority wishing to register a flag agrees that it may be used free of charge without any restrictions.

2.2 If the County Council wished to approve a flag it is suggested that it be the banner of the Council’s Coat of Arms. The Coat of Arms itself can only be used by the County Council or by other persons specifically authorised by it. The banner may however be used freely.

2.3 A design for the flag is set out below. A colour version will be available to view at the meeting and on the website at www.hertsdirect.org/hccmeetings .

2.4 Once the flag has been registered, details can be provided to suppliers who will make flags available for sale to the public.

2.5 The Flag Institute require a resolution to approve the flag design to be in a specific format as per the recommendation below.

3. Recommendations

That Cabinet that it resolves as follows:

1.  This Council has, for the better representation of the County of Hertfordshire and its people, decided that the banner of the County Council’s arms, namely “Barry wavey of eight Azure and Argent an Inescutcheon Or charged with a Hart lodged proper” is a fitting and proper emblem for the county and its people and will from this day be the County flag or Hertfordshire. The use of the full achievement of arms, with supporters and mural crown as a crest, is still restricted to the County Council and those specifically authorised by it.

2.  To authorise the registration of the flag with the Flag Institute so that it may be available to the general public.

4. Financial Implications

4.1 None arising from this report. If the Council purchases flags for its own use the cost will be met from existing budgets.

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