MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN DARWEN HERITAGE CENTRE, ON TUESDAY,
NOVEMBER 4TH, 2025
Present: Couns Hamer (Leader), Brookfield (Mayor), Taylor, Dugan, Smith, McCaughran,
Gibson, Shaw, Dobson, O Garr and one member of the public.
1.Welcome and introduction:..
.
2. Apologies
Couns Skipper and Westall.
3.Declaration of interests :
Couns. Taylor and O’Garr on RBL.
4 Minutes of the last meeting and matters arising:
These were agreed.
4.1. Grot Spots
Re the town hall planter idea, Coun Hamer said there were plans to rebuild the wall, so it would be
better to leave the planter idea for now or put in place when all is organised.
4.2 Darwen Live
Coun Duncan had met with the organisers and had made suggestions that they contact the PR
people of potential sponsors inorder to get financial backing for the event.
4.3 Poppies
Poppies have been erected in the centre of town and it was agreed the area looks good and there is
potential to expand next year. Coun O’Garr said the local branch officials were willing to source for
a donation. Coun Hamer said new cable ties would be needed. Coun Duncan said five large
poppies had been placed independently by the entrance to the cemetery.
5. Questions from residents
None.
6. Mayor’s update
The Mayor had received information from a Polish pianist who is looking to visit the town in 2026 to
perform recitals. The Mayor to attend Remembrance Day events.
7. Leader’s report
Coun Hamer had dealt with the putting up of the poppies. He had corresponded over a request to
light up Darwen tower for World Aids Day, this is the responsibility of BWD, but the town council can
place information in the council noticeboard.
There is a small amount of damage to the council chamber furniture and Coun Hamer is working
with BWD to obtain a specialist quote.
8 Correspondence
Dealt with in the meeting.
9. Updates
The town crier to attend Remembrance Day events.
Coun Smith gave an update on the completed works at Earcroft Mill and said the work to restore it
and the Darwen sign, was outstanding. He said the only blight was abandoned cars, which are
being dealt with. Coun Taylor had arranged for publicity via the local Press. The next big project for
2026 will be the India Mill steam pump.
Coun Smith gave details of the town council’s contribution towards work to Belgrave Square car
park, a joint project with BWD.
Coun Brookfield gave details of a parks application from the Friends of Bold Venture. The total cost
being £4,377.60 including VAT. The parks committee were happy with the application, but Coun
Taylor questioned the cost of one of the items and it was agreed to circulate the application to all
councillors for a final decision in December.
Coun Duncan confirmed the tree work at Whitehall Park has been completed.
Coun O’Garr gave details from the events committee and said the next big event is the Christmas
lights switch on, November 15th, followed by The Mayor of Darwen’s charity concert on December
23rd, raising money for Dementia UK. Coun Brookfield thanked Cou O’Garr for arranging the
publicity. A meeting between the events committee and BWD representatives is to be re arranged
to discuss the 2026 calendar.
Coun Hamer said the town council had been approached by the Methodist church with a view to
offering a safe space during events. It was agreed it was really up to individual organisers to decide
if this was needed and Coun O’Garr to correspond this to the church.
Coun Shaw gave details of an application by Darwen Girls and Ladies FC for funding for kit and
training gear, due to expansion. It was agreed to fund £999, but to advise that this funding could not
be offered every year. Coun Shaw to publicise the awards via the local Press inorder to gain more
interest. An application from No 1 Cafe had been turned down. A future application is to be sent in
from the foodshare group and Coun Dugan as vice chair will deal with it, as Coun Shaw has
declared an interest.
10 Finance
Payments:
£4,912 – Shane Johnstone for Earcroft Mill project
£910- R Hay for salary and expenses
£147.50 – Clerk’s pension contribution.
£16.50 – Darwen Heritage Centre room rent.
£250 – K McAuley poppies.
£7,166 – Four Seasons Garden Centre for autumn planting.
£195 – Stevenson Memorials for Beryl Neale engraving.
£72 – Netwise UK for website domain.
£5,995.50 – BWD for Belgrave Square car park contribution
£4,500 – Treetops for Whitehall Park tree project.
£999 – Darwen Girls and Ladies grant
It was agreed to hold the budget setting and precept setting meeting at the December 2nd meeting.
11. Any other business
Coun Hamer had been approached re the production of Darwen Towers. It was agreed to
commission 10 to start with to see what interest there is and to approach Darwen Heritage Centre
to see if they would sell for a commission. It was agreed that unlike the towers which are on the
railings in Darwen, the commissioned ones would not need a flange.
12 Date of next meeting
Tuesday, December 2nd at 7 p.m, in the heritage centre.. Items for the agenda to be with the clerk
by November 22nd please.