Council may have to pay for chapel work

Biggleswade Town Council could be landed with the bill for the work after Central Bedfordshire Council added the cemetery chapel in Drove Road to its Buildings at Risk Register.

The town council’s public land and open spaces committee had previously agreed a five-year plan to carry out minor repairs that members agreed were necessary.

But following the meeting late last year a councillor showed a conservation officer from Central Beds Council around the chapel.

He later contacted the council to say that he had found the Grade II listed building to be dilapidated and in a poor state of repair.

The officer listed areas which he believes are in most urgent need of attention, including replacing the rainwater disposal system and repairs to the slate roofs, windows and doors, brickwork and masonry.

The chapel will also now be inspected and reported back on periodically.

At a meeting of the town council on Tuesday councillors – who also increased the council tax precept for the next financial year – questioned how the work would be paid for.

Councillor Madeline Russell proposed a precept increase of almost three per cent to help cover the costs of the work, but this was narrowly defeated in a vote.

Councillor Peter Vickers argued that this would be unnecessary, despite the potential outlay.

He said: “In all my 30 plus years with this council I have always tried to put the rate-payer first.

“I understand that work will always be needed at such a building but how many Victorian chapels are there that are not in a slightly dilapidated condition?”

Ken Matthews, Central Beds Council’s executive member for strategic planning and economic development, said: “We have raised concerns about the poor state of repair to this property, particularly neglect of the gutters, downpipes and gullies which could lead to potential dampness issues.

“In order to monitor improvements annually, we have added this to the council’s Buildings at Risk Register so we can agree a programme of work.

“We understand the town council has concerns about funding for this project and will be working closely with all parties to try and get the conservation measures and repairs carried out as quickly as possible.”

Councillors agreed to increase the council tax precept which goes to the authority by 1.49 per cent, equating to an extra £1.56 for a Band D property.

The increase will come into effect from the start of the new tax year in April.