Report by Director of Finance & Resources
4
There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to options for the use of the third flagpole at Renfrewshire House, Renfrew Town Hall and Houston Square, Johnstone following the exit of the UK from the European Union.
The report advised that the Council had previously agreed that the Union Flag, the Saltire and the Europe Flag be flown at Renfrewshire House, Renfrew Town Hall and Houston Square, Johnstone every day of the year, other than on specific occasions detailed within the report, when an alternative flag would be flown from the third flagpole in place of the Europe Flag.
The report requested that consideration be given to which flag(s) be flown from the third flagpole following the exit of the UK from the European Union on 31 January 2020. Potential options in relation to the use of the third flagpole at the locations were outlined within the report.
Councillor Hughes, seconded by Councillor McNaughtan, moved that the first bullet point of paragraph 3.4 of the report be deleted and replaced with “The flag of the European Union and the Council of Europe continue to be flown on Council premises to mark our status as Europeans, our continued membership of the Council of Europe and our long standing friendship with the people of Gladsaxe and Furth, our twinned towns. Council further agrees that approved alternative flags will be flown on occasions to mark dates and events of significance to the people of Renfrewshire.”
Councillor Andy Doig, seconded by Councillor Mack moved as a first amendment “That Renfrewshire Council approach the Lord Lyon for approval to fly the Renfrewshire County Flag, as defined in the britishcountyflags.com website, from the third flagpole outside all council headquarters in Paisley, Renfrew and Johnstone, except for those days designated in clause 3.3 of this report.”
Councillor Graham, seconded by Councillor Begg, moved as a second amendment that “Council notes the result of the EU referendum on 23rd June 2016. Council further notes that the public voted to leave the EU. Council agrees to respectfully lower the EU flag from Council buildings on 28 February at 11am. Council further agrees that the EU flag will be raised to celebrate Europe day each year on 5th and 9th May.”
On the roll being called between the motion and the first amendment, the following members voted for the first amendment: Councillors Begg, Binks, Brown, Andy Doig, Graham, Kerr, Mack, Mackay, J MacLaren, McIntyre and Strang.
The following members voted for the motion: Councillors Adam-McGregor, J Cameron, Provost L Cameron, Councillors Campbell, Audrey Doig, Don, Hughes, K MacLaren, M MacLaren, McCartin, McEwan, McGurk, McNaughtan, Mylet, Nicolson, Paterson, Rodden, Shaw and Steel.
The following members abstained: Councillors Bibby, Davidson, Devine, Dowling, Grady, Harte, Hood, Kennedy, McCulloch, Montgomery, Sharkey and Sheridan.
11 members having voted for the first amendment, 19 members having voted for the motion and 12 members having abstained, a vote was then taken between the motion and second amendment.
On the roll being called between the motion and the second amendment, the following members voted for the second amendment: Councillors Begg, Bibby, Binks, Brown, Davidson, Devine, Andy Doig, Dowling, Grady, Graham, Harte, Hood, Kennedy, Kerr, Mack, Mackay, J Maclaren, McCulloch, McIntyre, Montgomery, Sharkey, Sheridan and Strang.
The following members voted for the motion: Councillors Adam-McGregor, J Cameron, Provost L Cameron, Councillors Campbell, Audrey Doig, Don, Hughes, K MacLaren, M MacLaren, McCartin, McEwan, McGurk, McNaughtan, Mylet, Nicolson, Paterson, Rodden, Shaw and Steel.
23 members having voted for the second amendment and 19 members having voted for the motion the second amendment was accordingly declared carried.
DECIDED:
(a) That the result of the EU referendum on 23 June 2016 be noted;
(b) That it be further noted that the public had voted to leave the European Union;
(c) That the EU flag be respectfully lowered from Council buildings on 28 February at 11am; and
(d) That the EU flag be raised on 5 and 9 May each year to celebrate Europe day.