1970s church blunder costs parish a packet

The arrangement has lasted for more than 50 years. In 1965 the church was given £105 1s 4d. In 2011/12 the figure was a whopping £20,995. That year the precept amounted to £122,000.

Now some residents are asking whether the money could be better spent elsewhere.

Upkeep of the church is the parish council’s statutory duty under the Burial Act, which dates back to the 1850s. An attempt to transfer responsibility after local government reorganisation in 1974 failed when paperwork was not filed in time, leaving the parish council to maintain the churchyard at its own cost.

“It was a total cock-up,” said Bill Armer, a parish councillor and, since 2014, a Kirklees Kirkburton.

“Ever since, Kirklees has refused point blank to take responsibility. Therefore, it becomes a charge on the Kirkburton civil parishioners. The parish council are stuck with it.

“There are mixed views on it. Most folk think it’s not really fair. I have tried but there’s no legal way out.”

A Kirkburton Parish Council spokesman said it was not correct to say that community groups were missing out on grants because of the cost of the annual maintenance.

“Every year the council sets a budget to cover Kirkheaton and all the various grant schemes in operation. One year there was an unforeseen high demand for grants and in order to meet it as far as possible, the council made several considerable adjustments to its budget.

“The result was that almost every eligible application was supported, at least in part.”

Grants totalling £13,900 were distributed to community groups last year. Recipients included Grange Moor Bowling Club, Shelley Over 60s, Stocksmoor Toddler Group and Lepton Townswomen’s Guild.

Churchwarden Rob Eabry said: “Kirkheaton Church is grateful for the support received over several decades towards the upkeep of the church grounds. They are a well used public space. Any decisions regarding costs and maintenance are made by Kirkburton Parish Council.”