Armed Forces Day

We acknowledge receipt of your email which will be forwarded to the appropriate person for a response. In the meantime if you would like to speak to someone please contact the office on the number given below.

Regards

South Kesteven District Council, Council Offices, St Peters Hill, Grantham, Lincs, NG31 6PZ
Tel: 01476 406080

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Thank you for your request; it has been forwarded to our legal team who deal with FOI requests.

In the mean time, please see below a statement which has been released today:

Said SKDC's corporate head Paul Stokes: "Firstly, I would like to apologise for our delay in finding a solution to the recent problems we have had in raising the Union Flag at Bourne Town Hall. It was never our intention to cause any distress to the brave members of our armed forces, or the people of Bourne.

"I can assure everyone that we are implementing a short-term solution which will allow the flag to be raised both for the Queen's Birthday on June 13 and Armed Forces Day on June 27. I would like to stress that we are finalising a longer term solution which will allow the Union Flag to be raised on all future occasions. I would like to thank the people of Bourne for their patience with us but I guarantee that the flag will fly in June."

Yours sincerely,
Customer Services
South Kesteven District Council
 

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Please find a standard acknowledgement to your request which is now
being processed.

Many thanks Clare

Mrs C Richardson
Legal Administrator - Legal Services
South Kesteven District Council
Direct Dial: 01476 406113

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Mr Simpson

Further to your Freedom of Information request relating to the Armed Forces Day I can advise you as follows:

Along with the rest of the nation, the Chairman of South Kesteven District Council will lead a small ceremony to raise the Armed Forces Day flag, together with a representative from the British Legion and the Mayor of Grantham. This will take place at 10.30a.m. on Monday 22nd June and the flag will remain flying for the rest of the week i.e. until 27th June.

In addition, the Chairman in his annual civic service, which takes place the day before on Sunday 21st June, has incorporated within the service itself a blessing of the flag. At the end of the service the flag will then be raised outside the Council offices at around 4p.m. by the Chairman and Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire and the flag will remain flying only for the duration of the Chairman's reception. It will be lowered at around 6p.m. that day. Please note this latter element is only being undertaken by this Council and is in addition to the ceremonies being undertaken nationally the next day.

Please also find attached as requested various correspondence, including press releases and e-mails relating to the raising of flags at Bourne Town Hall.

I can advise you that there are no documents relating to Health and Safety rules held by the council in relation to the flag at Bourne. The issues relating to this came about from an on site discussion with the Council's Health and Safety Officer, and an unfortunate break down in communication which meant that the flag was not flown on the next occasion. As you will see from the correspondence attached the issues surrounding the inaccessibility of the flag cleat have now been resolved due to the repositioning of the cleat ensuring that it can be easily and safely reached.

Historically the operating of the flag at the Bourne Town hall has been undertaken by the Caretaker or Assistant Caretaker of the Bourne Corn Exchange. Whilst this has been, and remains, part of their duties on a 'custom and practice' basis it is not a specifically itemised responsibility identified within their job descriptions.

If you require any more information please do not hesitate to contact me direct.

Susie McCahon

Susie McCahon
Team Leader - Asset & Facilities
Asset and Facilities Management
South Kesteven District Council
Council Offices
St Peter's Hill
Grantham
Lincs
NG31 6PZ
Tel: 01476 406423
Fax: 01476 406008

 

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