MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD, 2026 IN DARWEN
TOWN HALL
Present: Couns Hamer (Leader), Dugan, Taylor, McCaughran, Duncan, Dobson, O Garr ,
Skipper and Westall.
1.Welcome and introduction:..
.
2. Apologies
Couns Brookfield, Smith, Shaw and Gibson
3.Declaration of interests :
None.
4 Minutes of the last meeting and matters arising:
These were agreed.
4.1 Spitfire
Coun Taylor has obtained the original wording from the spitfire plaque and is to speak to WEC re
organising a new plaque.
5. Questions from residents
Mr Tony Foster from Darwen Heritage Centre said the centre had been recognised as an
independent museum by the Arts Council of England. The centre is grateful for the grant funding
from the town council and has applied to the Darwen Community Fund,run by the town deal board,
for funding.
The heritage centre is in talks with BWD for artefacts belonging to Darwen to be brought back to the
town before the new local Government reorganisation. This was supported by the town council.
6. Mayor’s update
Coun Brookfield is still recovering from illness.
7. Leader’s report
Coun Hamer had dealt with move to the new council room in the town hall. The upstairs floor of the
town hall where the town council room is to be renovated and the town council room to be moved
downstairs.
Local Government reorganisation was discussed and Coun Taylor said the Mayor’s role at borough
and town council level should continue and boundaries may be looked at, before borough elections.
Couns Hamer, Taylor, Smith and O’ Garr had attended the Mayor’s Charity Fund and hailed it a
huge success.
8 Heritage projects
Coun Smith had sent a quote in for the works needed on the next project to restore the big blue
pump at India Mill, which comes in between £17,000 and £20,000. The money has been budgeted.
Coun Duncan said further quotes should be sought as well as sponsorship from specialist
companies and the firm in the mill. Coun Duncan agreed to approach Crown Paint’s industrial
coatings firm for potential help and further quotes to be sought.
9 Darwen Tower casts
Coun Hamer had arranged for 10 casts to be produced and Darwen Heritage Centre to be asked to
sell the 10 and if there is interest, more can be cast. Mr Foster from the heritage centre to liaise with
Coun Hamer.
10. Jack Kay Lodge
Coun Duncan said the BWD has bought the lodge and a friends group is to be set up and he
suggested Rita Billington, who is secretary of the fishing group, is part of the group, along with
Coun Shaw as ward councillor. He said there are calls for a cycle track.
11 Correspondence
BWD had sent in details of a temporary closure of footpath 100.
12 Updates
It was agreed to put photos from the Mayor’s charity fund and the towers for sale, on the website.
Coun Hamer had liaised with Friends of Bold Venture park over the agreed grant for drainage and
signeage work.
Coun O’Garr is awaiting a meeting with BWD for the events programme in 2026. It was agreed that
the re starting of the gala committee was a good move, but there is lots of work to be done to ensure
the event happens. Coun Skipper suggested the gala be held on the same day as the festival of
fun.
Coun Dobson gave details of a grant application for £1,000 from the Darwen FC juniors for
equipment, this was agreed as the club is putting £3,000 towards the project. Coun Taylor said the
annual town council grants need updating for 2026.
13 Finance
Payments:
January:
£8,000 – BWD, contribution to the Christmas lights switch on
£930- R Hay for salary and expenses
£147.50 – Clerk’s pension contribution.
£45.48 – Printer cartridge
£56.19 – HMRC
£55 – J Barritt, PAYE.
February:
£1,000 – Darwen FC juniors grant
£940- R Hay for salary and expenses
£147.50 – Clerk’s pension contribution
£450 – Website Admin.
£549 – Find Me a Business website renewal
14. Any other business
Coun Duncan gave an update on Whitehall Park travellers, with the court date moved to the end of
March.
Coun Duncan said the Friends of Whitehall Park had been asked by BWD to sign a lease and he
questioned this, advised to check with legal at BWD.
Coun Duncan said the council had missed an opportunity to plant up outside the town hall, Coun
Hamer said this is to be discussed with BWD.
15 Date of next meeting
Tuesday, March 3rd at 7 p.m, in Darwen Town Hall.. Items for the agenda to be with the clerk by
February 23rd please.