MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 19TH, 2026 IN DARWEN
TOWN HALL
Present: Couns Hamer (Mayor), Shaw (Leader), Taylor, Smith, Duncan, Skipper, Dugan,
Dobson and Westall.
1.Welcome and introduction:..
.
2. Apologies
Couns Brookfield, McCaughran, Gibson and O’Garr.
3.Declaration of interests :
None.
4 Minutes of the last meeting and matters arising:
These were agreed.
4.1 Darwen Tower casts
Coun Hamer will ensure details of the cast sales are placed on the council website. It was agreed to
sell them as they are.
4.2 Darwen flags
Coun Smith has organised the new flag which has been well received by councillors. An order to be
put in and the flags to be kept by BWD and a list of events supplied to BWD, so they can be put up
when appropriate..
5. Questions from residents
None.
6. Mayor’s update
Coun Hamer paid tribute to the retiring Mayor, Coun Brookfield and thanked her for her
commitment to the town. He has chosen the Papyrus charity during his tenure.
7. Leader’s report
Coun Shaw thanked Coun Hamer for his leadership and work in the town.
8 Earcroft Pump vandalism and India Mill update
There has been vandalism at the Earcroft Pump, Shane Johnstone to repair. The India Mill project
will get under way with work in June, to be completed by a local contractor and Mr Johnstone, who
has also organised paint help from Crown Paints.
9 Finance
In: £61,000 first part of precept
£651 – Mayor’s Charity Concert proceeds
Payments:
£940- R Hay for salary and expenses
£147.50 – Clerk’s pension contribution..
£500 – Darwen Library Theatre, annual town award.
£650 – Internal audit.
£43.99 – Printer cartridge.
£52 – Information Commissioner
£4,000 – Life Education.
£708.60 – Michael Duane Reproductions for Scooter rally
£700 – Scooter Rally bus.
£1,000 – Children’s Literature Festival.
£440.38 – Specialised Canvas Services Ltd for flags
£5,000 – Blackburn and Darwen Brass Band Festival donation
£40 – Ewood Florists for Mayoral flowers
£500 – Darwen Heritage Centre, Battle of the Somme donation
£1,000 – Darwen Cheerleaders donation
The council had adopted a IT policy at its AGM and appointed the clerk as Data Protection Officer.
The website has been updated to ensure its compliant.
It was agreed to donate £500 to Darwen Heritage Centre for its Battle of the Somme celebrations.
The floral planter tender was moved to a part 2 item as it is commercially sensitive.
10. Correspondence
A request re a blue plaque to be passed to BWD as the responsible body.
Information on the temporary closure of bridleway 88 had been sent on the email round robin.
.
Information on a book launch on the Rev Henry Townsend had been sent on the email round robin.
Information on the Civic Sunday had been sent on the email round robin.
Information on the success of The Blackburn and Darwen Brass Band had been sent on the email
round robin.
11 Updates
It was agreed a scroll of honour to reflect the official one is to be placed on the website to allow
people to have more knowledge of the people named on it. New pages including one to allow
information on tender bids have been created.
The town crier still down for local events.
A thank you and photos of the new information signs at Bold Venture Park was received. To put on
the website.
Darwen Live is this weekend, Festival of Brass in June and the Festival of Fun on August 29th. A
discussion on the Christmas lights switch on was moved to a part 2 item as it is commercially
sensitive.
Coun Duncan gave details of a vintage bike rally, which had been held. No toilets had been
provided and it was agreed to suggest the organisers ask for funding for toilets for next year’s
event.
Darwen Cheerleaders were granted £1,000 for new equipment from the town awards. Coun Taylor
objected as the base is outside the precept area in Lower Darwen.
12 Any other business
None
13. Part two items
Three items discussed.
14 Date of next meeting
Tuesday, June 2nd, 7 p.m. Darwen Town Hall. Items for the main agenda to be with the clerk by
May 26th please.