Agenda item

There had been circulated copies of a Briefing Paper by the Clerk to the Council advising of the options available in respect of flying a Berwickshire Flag on the north side of the Scotland/England border at Lamberton Toll.  The Briefing Note explained the background to this item and the Chairman detailed the Coats of Arms which might be considered for use on a Berwickshire Flag, namely:

            (i)         that no further action was taken in respect of a Berwickshire flag;

            (ii)        the existing Berwickshire Coat of Arms and whether this should be the original County Arms or those of the District Council, bearing in mind that the old County Arms did not relate to the same boundaries as those of the existing Wards of East and Mid Berwickshire of Scottish Borders Council.  It would be possible for Scottish Borders Council or another entity, such as the Berwickshire Civic Society, to petition for either of these.

            (iii)       a new, non-heraldic flag (ie one with no heraldic symbols), with the final design being approved by the Lord Lyon, who would ensure that the design and colours were not in conflict with other flags and that the design also was a suitable representation of the area.  Care would need to be taken to ensure that that all the communities within Berwickshire were supportive of such a flag.  In designing a new flag, consideration would need to be given to simplicity, the use of meaningful symbols and colours, and how the flag would look either when flying from a flag pole in strong wind or conversely when hanging in windless conditions.

            Further details were included in the Briefing Note in respect of what would be required to further progress a Berwickshire flag and the associated costs. 

11.2     During the discussion that followed, Mr Silcock confirmed that consideration could be given to funding being granted from the Quality of Life Fund to cover costs associated with this project.  The Chairman  summarised the options for consideration.  Community Council representatives were given the opportunity to air their views  However, the Chairman advised that they were non-voting members of the Forum.  On this basis, Elected Members considered the following:

            (a)        that no further action be taken in respect of a Berwickshire flag;

            (b)        that a community consultation be carried out to ascertain the views of all Berwickshire residents prior to any decision being made ; and

            (c)        that work be carried out to develop a Berwickshire Flag which would subsequently be flown alongside the Saltire and the Union Flag on the North side of the Scotland/England border at Lamberton Toll.

            Councillor Moffat, seconded by Councillor Campbell, moved that a community consultation be carried out to ascertain the views of all Berwickshire residents prior to any decision being made.

11.3     Councillor Renton, seconded by Councillor Greenwell, moved as an amendment that work be carried out to develop a Berwickshire Flag which would subsequently be flown alongside the Saltire and the Union Flag on the North side of the Scotland/England border at Lamberton Toll.

            VOTE

            Motion:            2 votes.

            Amendment:    3 votes.

The motion was accordingly carried.

DECISION

            AGREED that work be carried out to develop a Berwickshire Flag and that Transport Scotland be approached for permission for the Berwickshire Flag to be flown alongside the Saltire and the Union Flag on the North side of the Scotland/England border at Lamberton Toll.