Sep 2nd 2025 Meeting Minutes

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Sep 2nd 2025 Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN DARWEN HERITAGE CENTRE

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025

Present:
Couns Hamer (Leader), Brookfield, Taylor, Skipper, Smith, Duncan, Westall, Dugan, McCaughran.

1. Welcome and introduction

…

2. Apologies

Couns Shaw, Dobson, O Garr and Gibson.

3. Declaration of interests

Coun. Taylor on RBL.

4. Minutes of the last meeting and matters arising

These were agreed.

5. Questions from residents

None.

6. Mayor’s update

  • Coun Brookfield has accepted an invitation to attend the unveiling of a new memorial by Friends of Darwen Cemetry on September 13th.

  • It was agreed to purchase a RBL wreath and ones also for Remembrance Day.

  • A proposal to buy 50 lamp post poppies was agreed and Coun Taylor to confirm the order details.

7. Leader’s report

  • Coun Hamer had dealt with the putting up and taking down of the flags.

  • He also attended the latest meeting of the Darwen Board, of which there are five this year.

8. Welcome to Darwen signs

  • Coun Duncan said the moving of one of the signs to the motorway exit meant it can’t be seen by all on the entrances and exits to the town. This had been done because it was on public land.

  • Discussion followed on where it could be moved to.

  • Coun Smith said he had arranged for a sign to be restored in the red and cream colours.

  • Coun Skipper advised the sign at the top of Marsh House on the flower planter had been hit by a car. To check the damage.

9. Grot spots

  • Coun Duncan asked to revitalise the previous grot spot scheme which the town council used to run.

  • He suggested grants could be given to shop keepers to encourage premises to be tidied up.

  • He also asked if the waste bin area on Green Street could be tidied up and perhaps improved with a mosaic.

  • It was suggested the idea could be put to the Darwen Board.

  • Coun Smith proposed a previous project by BWD to improve areas in wards in need with the help of a gardener. This was agreed.

  • A list of areas to be drawn up for the next meeting.

  • Coun Duncan to approach Four Seasons for advice and costings.

10. DTC future meeting room and October date

  • Following renovations of the town hall, BWD said the town hall chamber is not useable and a new room will be needed for future meetings.

  • Councillors expressed concern that the new room will be suitable in size and space and also needs to house the original council chamber furniture.

  • Concern also raised that the original furniture has not been looked after properly during the renovations. The clerk to write to BWD to express this concern.

  • It was agreed to move the October meeting to Wednesday, 1st, if the heritage centre can accommodate.

11. Correspondence

  • A further letter asking for financial support for a purple poppy wreath to reflect the role animals played in war was received following the council’s decision to reject the request.

  • Councillors agreed to stay with their original decision as they feel the poppy wreaths they buy from the local branch of the RBL cover all aspects of sacrifice given during conflict.

  • Details of Darwen Cricket Club’s official re-opening had been circulated on round robin email.

12. Updates

  • The town crier to attend the forthcoming Rotary Fun Day.

  • Coun Smith gave details of the heritage projects under way, including the steam pump restoration, Darwen Welcome sign and, for future projects, India Mill.

  • Coun Smith proposed and it was agreed to purchase a special Darwen flag to reflect the town’s crest, in order to fly it on the town hall flagpoles.

  • On events, the recent fun day had been a success. The council is awaiting evidence from the lights switch on organiser following a request to increase future funding.

  • A request had been received from the Darwen Live organisers to pay half towards making up a shortfall of £2,950 due to extra costs from Martin’s Law. They also requested to increase Darwen’s contribution to £30,000.

    • Concern was raised that the organisers are not sticking to budgets.

    • It was agreed to reject the request to make up this year’s shortfall.

    • For future years until the end of this council’s tenure, the council agreed to contribute £30,000. Couns Brookfield and Duncan opposed.

    • Coun Duncan agreed to help find a big sponsor for next event.

  • Following the removal of a metal plaque explaining the history behind the spitfire from an area opposite, it was agreed to look at a replacement plaque to go on the actual spitfire. Coun Taylor to investigate.

13. Finance

Payments:

  • £4,125 – Laura Johnson for Festival of Fun balance.

  • £900 – R Hay for salary and expenses for August.

  • £147.50 – Clerk’s pension contribution.

  • £910 – R Hay for salary and expenses for September.

  • £147.50 – Clerk’s pension contribution.

  • £28,000 – Contribution to Darwen Live.

  • £2,650 – D Stocks, scaffolding for heritage project.

  • £16.50 – Darwen Heritage Centre room rent.

  • £500 – K McAuley flags.

14. Any other business

  • Coun Westall asked if the name of Beryl Neil could be added to the official scroll of honour and this was agreed.

  • Coun Taylor to organise with Stevensons.

15. Date of next meeting

Wednesday, October 1st at 7 p.m.
Subject to confirmation from the heritage centre.
Items for the agenda to be with the clerk by September 22nd please.

Author: Room Filler