MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN DARWEN HERITAGE CENTRE, ON TUESDAY,
MAY 20TH, 2025
Present: Couns Hamer (Leader), Brookfield, Taylor, Skipper, Shaw, Smith, Duncan, Westall,
Dobson.
1.Welcome and introduction:..
.
2. Apologies
Couns Dugan, McCaughran, Gibson and O’Garr.
3.Declaration of interests :
Coun Taylor on RBL and Friends of Sunnyhurst Woods.
4 Minutes of the last meeting:
These were agreed, with the amendment that Coun Gibson attended the meeting.
5. Questions from residents
None.
6. Mayor’s update
The Mayor had returned after a successful knee operation.
7. Leader’s report
Coun Hamer had dealt the installation of the flags around the town. Further requests for flags had
been received. Coun Taylor said flags at the No 1 coffee shop were in need of replacing.
Coun Hamer said the new safe was being dealt with by BWD to ensure it had adequate cover.
8 Purple poppy wreath
A request had been received for the town council to fund a purple poppy wreath, similar to other
local authorities. This was rejected on the grounds it would open requests from other groups.
Instead it was suggested the organiser approaches animal businesses in the town for financial
help.
9 Darwen Golf Club grant
A request for annual funding similar to the cricket and football clubs had been received. It was
agreed Coun Shaw would liaise with the club to find out what the plans are for club, particularly
youth development..
10 Floral tender
Tenders showing a slight increase on the previous year to reflect an extra planting up, were agreed.
11 Correspondence
None.
12. Updates
Couns Skipper, Dugan and Hamer had been working with the website administrator to redesign the
site for easier navigation and councillors were asked to take a look at the new content.
Coun Hamer to check with Coun O’Garr as to whether the town crier is attending the Darwen Live
event..
A quote for £8,350 for the summer fun event had been received from Crafty Vintage.
Coun Brookfield gave details of the Mayor’s charity concert on December 21st.
Coun Shaw gave details of three applications for awards. Friends of Sunnyhurst Woods for a
gazebo and walkie talkies – £448.99
Friends of Darwen Cemetry for a granite war memorial, funding also provided by the Lloyds Trust –
£630.
Darwen Brass Band – £1,000 for transport to band competitions. It was noted the council had
funded various competitions and felt the band in future should try to fund raise for such events.
13. Finance
Payments:
£500 – Kevin McAuley for flag installation.
£880 – R Hay for salary and expenses.
£29.99 – Printer cartridge.
£147.50 – Clerk’s pension contribution.
£570 – Internal audit.
£52 – Information Commissioner
£5,000 – BWD band grant.
£1,000 – Children’s Literature Festival.
£451.50 – Darwen Heritage Centre, VE Day grant and room hire for meeting.
The annual internal audit had been successfully completed and signed off, along with the annual
governance requirements.
14. Any other business
Concern was raised over the lack of movement on the traffic light sequence following the death of a
pedestrian at a pelican crossing by the post office. The councillors to lobby BWD.
Coun Hamer gave details of the next neighbourhood board meeting and the restrictions on
reporting back.
Coun Duncan said town hall staff are leaving ready for the planned unitary authority.
Advice sought over chasing up a honour nomination.
Coun Duncan raised concerns over no toilet facilities during a recent motorcycle rally and he was
advised to contact BWD before future events to see if they could accommodate.
15 Part two
One item.
15 Date of next meeting
Tuesday, June 3rd at 7 p.m. Items for the agenda to be with the clerk by May 27th please.