Sussex Flag - RED or BLUE?

Sussex Day 2027 Wednesday 16th June 2027 – 1550 years

The red flag is the ‘banner of arms’ of East Sussex County Council, it is the flag-form of the coat of arms of ESCC, granted in 1975. These arms represent the council itself, rather than the residents or territory it encompasses.

It is unlawful, for any body, except for the council itself, to display the council’s arms. This is highlighted by the College of Arms in reference to the revised flag flying regulations of 2021 stating “The regulations are not intended to permit the flying of armorial flags or flags bearing coats of arms;…. It is unlawful to fly or use a flag of the arms of any local authority save on sites or premises occupied by that authority.” www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/resources/union-flag-faqs

The County Flag of Sussex, is a registered community flag, which represents the people and territory of Sussex. It is a traditional design, whose pattern representing Sussex dates back to at least 1611, and originates from the 14th Century heraldry of the county’s Knight of the Shire, Sir John de Radynden. As a registered county flag of an historic county, it is exempt from planning permission as set out in the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007 (as amended in 2012 and in 2021). www.gov.uk/government/publications/flying-flags-a-plain-english-guide/flying-flags-a-plain-english-guide

This is why one will see the blue County Flag of Sussex in official settings, such as the Houses of Parliament, Parliament Square and various town halls across the county. East Sussex Council itself displays the blue county flag in Lewes, on Sussex Day.