Upcoming Council Meeting(s):

See Agenda for a complete list.

Upcoming Event(s):

See Events Diary for a complete list.

• Announcement: The current Town Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer will be retiring from her role The current Town Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer will be retiring from her role at the end of March 2024 and the Town Council are seeking a replacement to be in place at that date or through negotiation.
  
  If you would like to discuss the vacancy or require any further information please ring the Town Clerk on 01204696362 or Council Chairman on 01204468567 For an application form and further information please email the Town Clerk on clerk@blackrodtowncouncil.org.uk
  
  A letter of application and completed application form may be sent by post or email. Interviews will be held in December to early January 2023. Blackrod Town Council is an Equal Opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
  
  See Publications for more information.
  

• The Lighting of the Town Council’s Christmas Tree will take place on Tuesday 28th November 2023 at 6.30pm at the tree on Blackhorse Street. All welcome.

• The Blackrod Annual Service of Remembrance will take pace on Sunday November 12th 2023. The procession will meet outside Heroes Bar on Manchester Road at 2.10pm for the 2.15pm service at the cenotaph, followed by the processional march to St Katharine’s church for a service of remembrance at 3.00pm.

• The Annual meeting of the Town Council will take place in the Council Chambers on Monday 15th May at 7.15pm. Please contact the Town Clerk with any query you may have on this meeting.

• Annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree 2022 - The lighting of Blackrod Town Council’s Christmas Tree and carol service will be held on Tuesday 29th November 2022 around the tree on Blackhorse Street, commencing at 6.30pm.The children from Blackrod Church School will perform a chosen Carol and be accompanied by a group of musicians from the Village. Following the service, seasonal refreshments will be served in St Katharine’s church, where the Blackrod Community Choir will perform a selection of Christmas music for all to enjoy. Everyone is welcome.

• Service of Remembrance 2022 - The Annual Service of Remembrance will take place on Sunday 13th November 2022, commencing at the Blackrod Cenotaph at 2.15pm for the short service and laying of wreaths, which will then be followed by the parade through the village to the full service being held at St Katharine’s Church at 3pm.Please contact the Town Clerk should any additional information be required.

• Blackrod have a new Mayor and Consort - Cllr Mrs Susan Baines and husband Cllr Mike Baines have taken up their new roles, representing Blackrod, when the new Mayor Cllr Mrs Baines was duly elected to the position at the recent Annual Meeting of the Town Council. Fellow Councillor Mrs Susan Gaskell will take on the role of Deputy Mayor for the year 2022 to 2023 and all parties look forward to welcoming local residents and friends to their fund raising events to be held over the next 12 months.

• The retiring Town Mayor and Mayoress of Blackrod Councillor Nick Bell and Mrs Odette Bell would like to thank all residents, councillors and other civic dignitaries who have supported them throughout their Mayoral year. Charity funds raised have been distributed to various organisations where they have been gratefully received and the couple look forward to assisting the New Mayor and Consort as they themselves have been well and truly supported by you all. Many thanks once again.

• 30.11.21 - The lighting of the Blackrod Town Council’s Christmas Tree and service will be held at the Christmas Tree on Blackhorse Street on Tuesday 30th November 2021 at 6.30pm. Following the service, seasonal refreshments will be served in St Katharine’s Church where the Blackrod Community Choir will perform a selection of Christmas Music for all to enjoy. Everyone welcome.

• 14.11.21 - The 2021 Annual Remembrance Service will take place on 14th November commencing at the cenotaph for the 2.15pm service and laying of wreaths, which will be followed by the march through the village to the service held at St Katharine’s Church. Please contact the Town Clerk if any additional information is required.

• 07.10.21 - The Mayor and Mayoress of Blackrod will be hosting a coffee morning in aid of the Mayor’s Charities on Thursday 7th October 2021 between 10-12 noon in the Council Chamber in the Library. Tickets are £3 for coffee and cake and are available from the Town Clerk or pay on the door- all welcome.

• 23.06.21 - At a full meeting of Bolton Council on the 23rd June 2021 it was unanimously agreed that the Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan be Made part of the statutory development plan for the borough. This means that our Neighbourhood Plan is now a legal document. Work on the Plan is now complete but there are a number of Community Projects outlined in the Plan that we will need to help implement. Please refer to the Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan Facebook page for updates and further progress.

• 08.05.21 - Fantastic result for the Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan Referendum. Thank you to all of you who have understood the implications of the Plan, now is the time for the work to commence. Thank you Blackrod Residents. Referendum result: Residents voting YES = 1595, Residents voting NO = 145. So, the majority of Blackrod residents say YES to Bolton Council using our Neighbourhood Plan when considering planning applications in Blackrod. Please refer to the Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan Facebook page for updates and further progress.

• 06.04.21 - Following the continuation of current Government guidelines that are still in place, the Town Council, as organisers of this event, is regretfully postponing the Annual Assembly Meeting which would have been held this year on 20th April 2021. Thank you for your understanding.

• 18.03.21 - Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan "Notice of Referendum", Referendum Date: Thursday 6th May 2021. - Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan "Notice of Referendum Blackrod Planning Referendum 2021": - VIEW DOCUMENT HERE: Notice of Referendum Blackrod Planning Referendum 2021.pdf // See Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan on Facebook

• 18.03.21 - Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan "A Referendum relating to the Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan will be held on Thursday 6th May 2021." - Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan "Information Statement": - VIEW DOCUMENT HERE: Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan - Information Statement.pdf // See Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan on Facebook

 

* The lighting of the Town Council’s Christmas Tree *

Due to the current Government advices on social distancing, the Town Council has unfortunately been advised that we cannot host the normal Christmas Tree Carol Service on Blackhorse Street this year. The Christmas Tree will be lit up as normal but in the meantime, the Town’s Mayor and Mayoress, Town Clerk and all members of Blackrod Town Council wish all residents of Blackrod a safe and happy Christmas 2020 and look forward to seeing you all again in 2021. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone.

* Remembrance Sunday 8th November and Maroons 11th November 2020 *

Statement from Blackrod Town Council

In light of current advice from both National and Local Government, including the social distancing restrictions imposed due to Covid 19, Blackrod Town Council, together with representatives from the Royal British Legion, have reluctantly made the decision to cancel the normal Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade on 8th November 2020.

The Town Council has been advised that the practicalities involved in the organisation of the event, together with the resources that would be required to ensure that public safety could be managed in line with current Government guidance, has made it an impossible task.

However, as the Town Council, believes that there is a Civic Duty to acknowledge those who sacrificed so much, arrangements will be made to conduct a smaller service on behalf of the Town and its residents.

Once this formal service has taken place, anyone wishing to lay a wreath on behalf of their organisations should do so on an individual basis, taking responsibility for their own safety and in keeping with Government Social Distance Guidance.

The Cenotaph will be available for wreath laying from 1.45pm on the afternoon of Sunday 8th November 2020. Please observe all Government Guidelines.

Additionally, on behalf of Blackrod, a Maroon will be fired on 11th November but no service will take place.
Blackrod Town Council



* Blackrod Library Reopens Monday 12th October 2020*

Great news! Blackrod Library to reopen on Monday 12th October 2020. The Library is certainly looking forward to seeing the return of friends, old and new.



* Police surgery between 6-7pm on August 11th 2020 *

Members of Greater Manchester Police (PCSO) will be hosting a police surgery between 6-7pm on August 11th 2020 The event will be hosted at the Blackrod Community Centre and those attending are requested to observe Government Guidelines on Social distancing.

* Doctors Surgery. Blackrod: Covid Response *

Local residents are understandably raising concerns due to the ongoing temporary limited access to the Blackrod Health Centre and Doctor’s surgery, due to the COVID pandemic.

In an attempt to allay these concerns , representatives of Blackrod Town Council have had discussions with the Practice Management Team within the Unsworth Practice based at Peter House Surgery in Westhoughton, in order to ascertain how the current building restrictions in Blackrod Health Centre has come about.

The Town Council have been informed that there were several reasons as to why the Unsworth Group have reluctantly taken the decision to temporarily deny access to the Blackrod Health Centre building. However, it should be noted that the Town Council have been informed that whilst currently everyone is working and making decisions within an environment that has not been seen before, that there are no plans to close the Blackrod Surgery on a permanent basis and that the medical needs of Blackrod patients are being addressed via alternative methods at the moment.

Management within the Unsworth Group have also stated that they fully understand the concerns being raised by residents and that they are doing all that they can to protect all of their patients in both Blackrod and Westhoughton , as well as staff, and should any resident have any medical concerns that they wish to discuss, they should ring the surgery directly, where every effort will be made to address any issues they may have.

Telephone Numbers of both surgeries are:

Blackrod Health Centre on Church Street: 01204697229

Westhoughton Practice at Peters House, Captain Lees Road: 01942812525

* PUBLIC NOTICE *

The Town Council in keeping with Government guidance on social distancing will continue to hold extraordinary meetings through remote means until further notice. Please watch the web page or Council noticeboards for ongoing information or contact the Town Clerk on 01204696362. Thank you for your support.

* Public Announcement - COVID containment *

BLACKROD TOWN COUNCIL.
Public Announcement

Following the Government’s briefing on COVID containment and recognising our social responsibility to others, the Town Council is regretfully postponing the following meetings.

Meeting of the Town Council - Monday April 6th 2020 7pm

Annual Assembly Meeting - Tuesday 21st April 2020 7.30pm (Co-ordinated by the Town Council)

Meeting of the Town Council - Monday 4th May 2020 at 7pm

Annual General Meeting/ Mayor Making - Monday 11th May 2020 at 7.15pm

Civic Sunday - Sunday 17th May 2020

Moving forward, The situation will be reviewed on a monthly basis and local residents and visitors will be notified of any changes as they happen wherever possible.

The Town Clerk and Councillors will remain available for contact by telephone and email with a request that visits to the Council Offices be kept for those of an essential nature only. The Town Council hopes that the need for these measures will be a short one and that all residents, visitors and friends of the village remain in the best of health.

Thank you.

* Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan - Referendum of 26th March 2020 postponed until further notice due to the coronavirus *

The planned Referendum on the 26th March 2020 has been postponed until a future date due to the coronavirus. The new date will be decided in line with Government advice and legislation which will then be actioned by Bolton Council.

Please see this file Letter-Blackrod-Cancellation.pdf for more information.

* Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan "Referendum Information Statement", Referendum Date: Thursday 26th March 2020 *

Please see this file Information-Statement-Blackrod-Neighbourhood-Plan-Referendum.pdf for more information.

* Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan "Notice of Referendum", Referendum Date: Thursday 26th March 2020 *

Please see this file Notice-of-Referendum-Blackrod-Neighbourhood-Plan.pdf for more information.

* Former Town Mayor and Blackrod Councillor, Mr Ian Hamilton *

Sadly, we have been informed that a former Town Mayor and Blackrod Councillor, Mr Ian Hamilton passed away on 2nd February. His funeral will be held at St Katharine’s Church, Blackrod on Friday 14th February at 1.15pm, followed by a service at Overdale at 2.15pm. Ian served on Blackrod Town Council for a number of years and held the position of Town Mayor in 2007-2008. Ian also served on Horwich Town Council and represented them as Mayor in 1988-1989. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family.

* Mayor’s News: Mayor’s charity Event *

60’s night with the travellin’ strings at the Hilltops Social Club. Friday 27th March from 7pm. Tickets available from the Town Clerk. Price £10 to include a hot supper.