MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN DARWEN TOWN HALL, ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER
3RD, 2024
Present: Couns Brookfield (Mayor), Hamer (Leader), Smith, Dugan, McCaughran, Duncan,
Taylor, Dobson, Skipper, Westall.
1.Welcome and introduction:..
2. Apologies
Couns O’Garr Shaw and Gibson.
3.Declaration of interests :
None.
4 Minutes of the last meeting:
These were agreed.
5. Cardiac Arrest Project
Community Resuscitation Engagement Officer Yvette Brown gave details of the project and the
drive for more unlocked defibrillators in the town and for more people to be trained up. Councillors
who have suggested places for defibrillators and any who wish to train should send their details to
Yvette.
6. Questions from residents
None.
7. Mayor’s update
The Mayor had attended the Darwen Pride event and had been invited to two events this month,
but had to turn down due to prior engagements.
8. Leader’s report
Coun Hamer had organised the taking down of the town flags. A tender is to be put out for future
flag work for 80 locations in the town. Coun Hamer had attended the Darwen Festival of Fun with
fellow councillors. Access is now available to the unit under the market. It has been agreed that
Coun Hamer can represent the town on the long term plan board and he is to chase up with BWD.
8 Darwen Town Centre Shops
Coun Duncan highlighted the logistical problems interested people have in securing council owned
shop units in the town. He said red tape and time delays had led to frustration for a potential user
and said future applications should be brought to the town council. Coun Smith said this was not an
option as BWD is the authority which deals with applications which involve sensitive information.
Coun Taylor said as the town council has no powers, the correct forum for discussion would be with
BWD.
9. Correspondence
Notice of confirmation of definitive map modification order for public footpath 253.
Thankyou received from Ashton Park volunteer Janet Pearce for funding to create steps at the
park.
Blackburn with Darwen Band reported they had won the best first section prize in the Brighouse
March and Hymn tune contest and came third overall out of 19 bands.
10 Updates
A report on the success of this year’s scooter rally was relayed to the council. The organisers
raised £666 for Derwent Hall and next year wants to partner with the hall and The Mayor of
Darwen’s charity. The event had attracted a good footfall, promoted the town and brought a boost
for the food and drinks industry. A second local camping venue has been secured for the 2025
event. Coun Duncan suggested that in 2025 there is a line up of scooters, organisers are to check
with BWD as there may be a problem with public liability insurance. The organisers applied for
funding for next year and this was discussed in Part 2.
Blackburn with Darwen Band are travelling to Cheltenham in September for the National Brass
Band finals and has set a target of £5,000 to cover travel, accommodation and other related
expenses. So far £2,200 has been raised and the band asked the town council for support. It was
agreed to fund up to £1,000 and Coun Hamer to organise with the band.
Coun Smith has spoken to the heritage artist re the industrial project and he is to start on Belgrave
Square asap.
An application for £6,038.28 was received from the Friends of Bold Venture Park to pay for benches
with the Darwen Town Council crest on, for the top area of the park to encourage people to use it.
Concern was expressed over the price and it was suggested the community pay back team may be
able to help.
It was agreed to fund the project, with Coun Taylor abstaining from the vote and Coun Duncan
against the 100 % funding as he felt the group should fund raise to pay towards part of the project.
Coun Smith gave details of the Potter Huntington Trust which helps individuals in need, details of
the fund to be placed on the council website and noticeboard.
The clerk to find out the details of the Darwen Tower mould so a decision can be made about
ordering some to sell