APPENDIX 4
Bishop’s Stortford Town Council
Policy on Use of the Council Crest and Badge
Explanatory Note
Two requests have been received recently for the use of the Town Crest or the Town Badge in connection with an event/product. One has been decided in accordance with Standing Order 9.1 the other is brought to this meeting for resolution.
The Council has no policy on the matter. The adoption of a policy would have many benefits most notably
· enabling faster and more efficient decision making
· ensuring a degree of consistency
· ensuring that due thought is applied to the circumstances in which the use of the Crest and Badge is allowed and the purpose of so doing
A recommended policy follows. Mostly it follows the practice which has emerged over the years however there are two key areas where there is not a clear established practice and over which Council may wish to pay special attention namely the use of the Badge (not the Crest) by commercial organisations and the application of the Policy.
Bishop’s Stortford Town Council
Policy on Use of the Council Crest and Badge
Issue 1.0 April 2011
Introduction and History
The Town Council owns the rights to armorial bearings, granted by the Royal College of Arms, in the form of a ‘Badge’ and a ‘Crest’. Copies of these are illustrated below and can be seen in the Grants of Arms displayed in the Council Chamber.
The ‘Crest’ is used by the Town Council as its corporate logo. It is used alone, or accompanied by the words ‘Bishop’s Stortford Town Council’ as the situation requires. Historically the Council has not granted permission for the use of the Crest by third parties (although there are a limited number of recorded incidents where third parties have used, and continue to use, the crest without permission).
The ‘Badge’ is not used by the Town Council for official purposes and there are numerous cases where the Council has granted permission for the use of the Badge by charitable bodies. It has generally, in the past, declined requests from commercial organisations to use the Badge although it is unclear whether this policy has been applied uniformly.
The College of Arms recommends that, where Council possess both a Crest and a Badge, the Crest is reserved solely for the use of that organisation (or with permission and acknowledgment for use where events take place ‘in association with’ that organisation) while the Badge may be more freely licensed. The objective is to preserve corporate integrity and brand associated with the Crest and the Council while recognising the need for a symbol representing the Town and the opportunity to create a brand and symbol for the Town.
Policy on the use of the Crest
No person or organisation may use the Crest owned by Bishop’s Stortford Town Council without the express written permission of the Council.
A licence for the use of the Crest will be given at the sole discretion of Bishop’s Stortford Town Council and no reasons for any decision to award or not to award a licence need be given.
A licence will only be given for the Crest to be used in connection with an event (or series of events), publication (electronic or printed), installation or equipment which takes place or is organised in association with Bishop’s Stortford Town Council or is otherwise sponsored by Bishop’s Stortford Town Council.
Where a licence is given conditions may be attached which will include acknowledgement of Bishop’s Stortford Town Council and conditions designed to avoid the Crest, Badge, the Town or the Council coming into disrepute as a result of its use.
Should a licensee take any action which brings, or has a high probability of bringing, the badge, the Crest, Badge, Town or the Council into disrepute the licence will terminate immediately.
Licences will be non-exclusive.
A licence may be withdrawn at any time without reason and no liability shall be accepted by Bishop’s Stortford Town Council for any loss whatsoever incurred by the licensee in discontinuing its use.
Bishop’s Stortford Town Council will take enforcement action against any individual or organisation using the Crest, or a derivation of the Crest, without a valid licence.
Policy on the use of the Badge
No person or organisation may use the Badge owned by Bishop’s Stortford Town Council without the express written permission of the Council.
A licence for the use of the Badge will be given at the sole discretion of Bishop’s Stortford Town Council and no reasons for any decision need be given.
A licence for the use of the Badge may be given to
A charitable organisation wholly or largely based in Bishop’s Stortford whose purpose is largely or wholly to benefit the residents of Bishop’s Stortford
For use in connection with a public event taking place in Bishop’s Stortford (or within the immediate vicinity of Bishop’s Stortford if ‘Bishop’s Stortford’ is included in the title of the event)
(this sentence for debate) For use by an established business operating solely or largely in or in the immediate vicinity of Bishop’s Stortford, which uses ‘Bishop’s Stortford’ in its trading name, and which can produce evidence that the product of service offered is independently recognised as being of high quality.
Where a licence is given conditions may be attached which will include conditions designed to avoid the Crest, Badge, the Town or the Council coming into disrepute as a result of its use.
Should a licensee take any action which brings, or has a high probability of bringing, the badge, the Crest, Badge, Town or the Council into disrepute the licence will terminate immediately.
Licences will be non-exclusive.
Unless otherwise stated in the licence a licence may be withdrawn at any time without reason and no liability shall be accepted by Bishop’s Stortford Town Council for any loss whatsoever incurred by the licensee in discontinuing its use.
Bishop’s Stortford Town Council will take enforcement action against any individual or organisation using the Badge, or a derivation of the Badge, without a valid licence.
Application of Policy
The application of this policy is delegated to the Chief Executive. Where the Chief Executive is in doubt as to the appropriateness of any request to use the badge or crest he will bring the matter to the Council or such subcommittee of the Council (for debate – the Finance and General Purposes Committee) as the Council may from time to time determine.
Should any organisation or person wish to appeal against refusal of a licence or the enforcement or application of this policy they must notify the Chief Executive in writing giving their reasons for contesting the decision and the appeal will be heard at the next ordinary meeting of the Council or the subcommittee of the Council specified above whose decision shall be final.
The Bearings
Crest / Badge4