MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2ND, 2025
Present: Couns Hamer (Leader), Dugan, McCaughran, Gibson, Shaw, Dobson, Duncan , Skipper
and Westall.
1. Welcome and introduction:..
.
2. Apologies
Couns Brookfield, Taylor. Smith and O’Garr.
3. Declaration of interests :
None.
4 Minutes of the last meeting and matters arising:
These were agreed.
5. Questions from residents
None.
6. Mayor’s update
Coun Brookfield is sadly out of action after sustaining an injury. Warmest wishes were expressed
for her recovery by fellow councillors. The Mayor had asked if the annual concert for the Mayoron
December 21st in Darwen Library Theatre, be publicised more and it was agreed to produce posters
and push online.
7. Leader’s report
Coun Hamer had dealt with the removal of the poppies and it was agreed more may be needed
next year. It was agreed the contractor had done an excellent job putting up and removing the
poppies. The job will go out to tender next year to ensure the costings are competitive.
BWD staff are arranging a specialist quote for the repairs needed to the council chamber furniture.
Coun Hamer had been liaising with the casting firm re the Darwen Towers, 10 are being produced
and hopefully marketed through Darwen Heritage Centre. Once produced, Coun Hamer is to sort
out any tidying up with the heritage artist.
8 Spitfire plaque
Coun Hamer said there had been no update re the plaque from Darwen Heritage Centre.
9 Correspondence
Dealt with in the meeting.
10. Updates
Arrangements are to be made to publicise the Christmas lights switch on event via the council
website and social media.
The town crier had attended the Christmas lights switch on.
It was agreed to pass the parks application from the Friends of Bold Venture for drainage and
signage work. The total cost being £4,377.60 including VAT. Coun Hamer said a parks template
had been drawn up to co incide with the Darwen Deal/Pride in Place external funding bid by BWD
and it identified areas which needed money inputting. It was agreed the town council would try to
fund projects which were not covered by the BWD deal inorder not to duplicate and maximise the
money going into the town’s parks.
Coun Duncan confirmed a change of officials for Whitehall Parks supporters group.
Stevensons had placed Beryl Neale’s name on the roll of honour.
Coun Skipper said the Christmas lights switch on had been a huge success and footfall was up on
last year. There had been some negatives, in that silly string and ticker tape used in the event had
not been cleared up until some time after the event. Also two local businesses had complained of
loss of revenue due to the positioning of some of the attractions linked with the event. These are to
be passed to the organisers, BWD, who had asked the town council to increase its contribution.
There was concern over this due to the price hikes and BWD inhouse services. Coun Duncan said
any increase should not be more than inflation. It was agreed to defer any further discussion until
the official events meeting with BWD.
Coun Shaw said there had been no further applications for town awards money. It was agreed to
approach the website administrator to organise promotion of the money. Coun Duncan suggested
hand over of cheques at public events and in the local Press. Coun Hamer said there is £30,000
available in the Darwen Community Fund.
11 Finance
Payments:
£1,080 – AD Castings for tower moulds
£930- R Hay for salary and expenses
£147.50 – Clerk’s pension contribution.
£250 – K McAuley poppies.
The finance committee had met and set the budget and it was agreed at the full council meeting to
keep the precept at £122,000 as per the original council manifesto.
12. Any other business
Coun Westall said market traders had expressed concern that they were uncertain of future plans
and work. It is understood BWD have led consultations, but concerns to be passed on.
Coun Duncan asked for an update on Whitehall Park travellers and the demolition of the kiosk by
the town hall. Coun Shaw to investigate and report back.
13 Date of next meeting
Tuesday, February 3rd at 7 p.m, in Darwen Town Hall.. Items for the agenda to be with the clerk by
January 23rd please.