MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN DARWEN TOWN HALL, ON TUESDAY, APRIL
2ND, 2024
Present: Couns, K. Connor, M. Davies, B Taylor, J. Hamer, D. Smith, N. Slater, P.
Browne, J. East.
1.Welcome and introduction:..
2. Apologies
Couns Entwistle, Salton and Brookfield.
3.Declaration of interests :
Coun Slater on Royal British Legion, Coun East on town awards and Coun Connor on
parks.
4 Minutes of the last meeting:
These were agreed.
5. Public Forum
Mr Tony Foster asked re the council’s plan to loan the original town crier’s uniform to the
heritage centre, this was agreed.
Representatives of Darwen Royal British Legion discussed national changes to the
formation of the branch and also the provision of non official badges for poppy day. The
group were thanked for their hard work by Coun Slater and discussions over financial
implications of the changes were moved to Part 2.
6 Mayor’s update
No further events. The Mayor thanked councillors and the town for her enjoyable tenure
and arrangements are to be made to hand over proceeds of her charity fund raising.
7. Deputy leader’s report
Coun Connor gave a report from Darwen Deal. The Balle Street site for industrial units
was progressing and the site for the Lucite plant is being cleared. Coun Browne asked re
trees which have been felled as part of clearance work.
8 Correspondence
FP 253 Darwen definitive map and statement modification order 2024, was sent via the
email round robin.
9 Updates
Coun Davies said there are no events for the town crier until June. The June event is being
planned by events planner Laura Johnson. Coun Connor confirmed the market square
should be available for the scooter rally and brass band competition, following planned
works.
An application from Ashton Parks for £2,900 for improving access to the park was agreed.
Coun Slater asked if BWD should pay for the work as it is a health and safety issue, but it
was confirmed BWD currently do not have the appropriate funding. Coun East asked why
there was funding available for Blackburn parks and not Darwen and Coun Smith
confirmed this was due to successful lottery grants and funding under Section 106 where
developers provide funding when planning applications are successful.
An application for £1,000 from the Friends of Darwen Cemetry, for tools, was agreed by
the town awards committee.
An application for £1,000 towards the Children’s Literature Festival in June was agreed.
Coun East gave an update on the heritage industrial project and a quote for the Methodist
graves and steps restoration of £3,944, with work due to take place May/June. Also, a
quote of £400 to restore the boundary stone asap. The towers outside the leisure centre
have been restored.
10. Finance
.
In – £1,302.44 – VAT refund.
Payments:
£3,244.71 – James Hallam Insurance – annual renewal
£1,254.00 – Shane Johnson, restoration of Darwen Towers
£1,000 – Children’s Literature Festival.
£500 – Bold Venture Parks sculpture grant
£840 for R Hay for salary and expenses.
£50 – PAYE
£2,500 – Darwen FC annual grant for youth development.
£2,500 – Darwen Cricket Club annual grant for youth development.
£3,000 – Darwen Heritage Centre annual grant.
£4,000 – Life Education, annual grant