Wroughton & Wichelstowe Closed Churchyard
Wroughton Parish Council Update
Following recent comments on Facebook which raise concerns of the maintenance of the closed churchyard, WPC would like to clarify its position with residents. Here is the background to the current position for the referenced authorities.
On the 22nd December 2022 Wroughton Parish Council was served notice to take over the ongoing maintenance of the closed Churchyard. We were provided with various information such as staff costings, tree reports, subsidence information and management plans for the area of concern. The large tree survey and grounds maintenance plan equated to large sums of money and taking on the liability of these costs would have had a significant impact on the precept demand for residents.
Timeline of events:
- From 13th July 2026 Swindon Borough Council are undertaking much needed repairs to the paths down to and in the lower churchyard. The work is expected to take 6 weeks and during this time parts of the lower churchyard may not be accessible for safety reasons. While they are resurfacing the ramp there will be no access to the lower churchyard.
However, the contractors will ensure that the lower churchyard is fully accessible at weekends. We apologise for any inconvenience caused but look forward to the new safer ramp and path in the autumn.
We thank Swindon Borough Council for undertaking these works, and are very grateful to our MP, Councillors and lower churchyard volunteer group who worked hard to make this happen.Wroughton & Wichelstowe Parochial Church Council - March /April 2023 – SBC now take over responsibility of the closed churchyard.
- March 2023 – Wroughton & Wichelstowe Church will no longer be responsible for closed churchyard maintenance.
- January 2023 – WPC decline the responsibility request from the Church and serve notice to SBC. SBC will now take on responsibility as Unitary Authority and this is one of its statutory obligations to provide.
- 22 December 2022 – Wroughton & Wichelstowe Church have served a three month notice to WPC for transferring the maintenance responsibilities. SBC notified.
- December 2022 – The Privy Council confirm closure of St John the Baptist & St Helen Churchyard, Wroughton, Swindon. WPC Notified, SBC Notified.
- November 2022 – Notice period of the intended closure of St John the Baptist & St Helen Churchyard, Wroughton, Swindon comes to an end. WPC notified. SBC Notified.
WPC is under no obligation to undertake the maintenance of the closed churchyard and councillors had previously resolved to apply notice to Swindon Borough Council as the Unitary Authority. Unfortunately due to the increase in budgets over the past two years, the parish council had confirmed that it would be too costly for it to take on the maintenance role at this point.
Wroughton & Wichelstowe Church will have no further maintenance responsibility for the closed Churchyard from the date of 23 March 2023, meaning that Swindon Borough Council will need to manage the area from this date.
Looking forward: Over the next 12 months Swindon Borough council will be devolving further services to Parish Councils, for Wroughton Parish Council this may or may not include the maintenance of the Closed Churchyard. The conversation with SBC is ongoing and budgets are being considered however, SBC are the unitary authority and they will be continuing the maintenance until further notice.
