About Us

About Darwen Town Council

Darwen Town Council was formed by referendum in October 2008 as a Parish Council, the first tier of local government in England and Wales. Unlike higher-tier authorities, it has no statutory powers and focuses solely on deciding how the Darwen Town Council Precept—a small portion of council tax raising roughly £122,000 annually—is spent to benefit the Darwen community. Our 13 elected Councillors, chosen every four years, serve voluntarily with no expenses, ensuring every penny supports local initiatives.

We work alongside Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, which handles services like road maintenance, bin collections, and planning. Our role is to enhance community life through discretionary powers, focusing on three key areas:
– Representing Darwen: We voice the needs and aspirations of our 28,000 residents.
– Delivering Local Services: We fund events, parks, and community projects.
– Improving Quality of Life: We strive to make Darwen a vibrant, welcoming place.

Our activities include:
– Events: Supporting Darwen Live, Christmas Lights Switch On, Scooter Rally, Brass Band Competition, and more to boost local business and community spirit.
– Parks: Enhancing green spaces like Sunnyhurst Woods and Boldventure Park with benches, sculptures, and plaques.
– Awards: Running an Awards scheme to fund local groups, such as Walking Football, knitting clubs, and sports equipment for Darwen’s youth.

With over 9,000 local councils in England serving 16 million people, Darwen Town Council is part of a vital grassroots network investing £1 billion annually. Curious about what we do? Learn more about our mission and projects.