MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN DARWEN TOWN HALL, ON TUESDAY,
JANUARY 31ST, 2023
Present: Couns K. Connor, J. Hamer, J. East, D. Smith, N. Slater, M. Davies, L.Salton, S.
Brookfield, B. Taylor and P. Browne.
1.Welcome and introduction:..
2. Apologies
Coun Entwistle.
3.Declaration of interests :
Couns Smith, P Browne and N Slater on item 10.
4 Minutes of the last meeting:
These were agreed.
4.2 Floral planters
Coun East had met with Tony Watson and Eddie Maxwell of BWD re moving the planter
sign at the entrance to the town from the motorway onto a new planter on the railings as
you come off the motorway. New planter also to be purchased for Marsh House and look
for new sponsorship.
5. Public Forum
Tony Foster gave details of a radio programme which publicised the excellent work of
Keep Darwen Tidy and its founder, Janet Pearce.
6 Mayor’s update

Coun Brookfield had attended the special brass band concert organised for The Mayor’s
charity and said hopefully a lunchtime concert is to be held in the future. She had
presented a cheque from the town council to the walking football charity.
7. Deputy leader’s report
Coun Connor had arranged for the lock up to emptied and transferred to the council
chamber office. The flags has been looked at and are not in good shape. Coun Connor
had attended a forum to discuss ideas to improve the town centre and it was agreed to try
and bring businesses together to enhance the town deal. This could be worked alongside
BWD. Coun Connor to speak to local business owners and BWD.
8. Scooter rally
Details of a proposed scooter rally were circulated and it was agreed to fund up to £2,000
on condition that the appropriate public liability insurance is gained and risk assessments
made and organisers to be asked to choose The Mayor’s charity for its collection on the
day.
9. Annual grants for the football club, cricket club and heritage centre
The sporting grants of £2,500 will be paid in April, along with the heritage centre grant of
£3,000.
10. Correspondence including application to divert FP 91 Darwen at Lord’s Hall.
Councillors to object as it will inconvenience current users quite considerably and also
there is no indication as to why the diversion is needed.
Confirmation of a public path order for public bridleway 208, public path creation order
2022 was received from BWD.
11. Updates
Coun Davies gave an update on the bonfire and said the concerns of the council over last
year’s event had been passed on. The brass band competition has been moved to June
25th and there will be a brass band street party on May 7th to mark the King’s coronation. It
was agreed to donate £100 sponsorship to the schools and nursery which received a grant
for the Queen’s jubilee.
Coun East gave details of a television advertising board which has been applied for and he
will forward the application to councillors for information.
Coun East to meet with Shane Johnston to discuss the renovation of industrial and
heritage items of interest.
12. Finance
In:
£270.50 – proceeds of the Mayor’s concert.
Payments:

January:
£790 for R Hay for salary and expenses.
£112.71 – R Hay pension
£120 – LPPA pension admin.
£9.69 – HMRC
February:
£790 for R Hay for salary and expenses.
£112.71 – R Hay pension
£98 – Royal Mail for postage.
£50 – J Barritt, PAYE.
£500 – K McAuley, removal of flags.
13. Any other business
Coun Taylor gave details of the Healthy Darwen Week from March 13th to 18th.
14 Part 2 – press and public excluded
One item.
15 Date of next meeting
Tuesday, March 7th, Darwen Town Hall, 7 p.m. Agenda items to be with the clerk by
February 27th please