A DISPUTE over sharing profits from burial fees from Okehampton's graveyards this week surfaced between the town council and All Saints Church.

The Rev Stephen Cook, team rector for Okehampton ministry, met councillors on Monday to discuss a £1,500 bill that remains unpaid by the church for the council's share from burials at All Saints between 2004 and 2007.

He told the council's parks committee the matter had caused some anguish in church circles and exasperation for the council.

Of the original bill of more than £3,000 the church had paid off £1,500.

Mr Cook said that sometime in the 1990s, before his arrival, he believed a verbal agreement was made that the council would cut the grass in return for 50% of burial fee charges obtained by the church.

He said: 'It seems a lot of money was handed over for grass cutting. At the end of the season we were disappointed with the bill as we thought it too large, but we did pay it.'

He stressed that he had asked the council for quotations for the work for the 2004/7 period but these had not arrived.

'From a church point of view we don't believe there was a contract but do believe there is a duty for payment to be made.

'We are not cash-rich tenants who are refusing to pay but we are a cash-strapped institution, who, like you, serve the people of Okehampton.'

Mr Cook added that the costs would be a burden on his worshippers, who would ask him why should they pay.

He said the new council graveyard was served by a car park, toilets and water supply — all provided at church expense.

Parks committee chair Cllr Adrian Raymond said that while he sympathised, debts were not negotiable and the £1,500 was still owed.

Cllr Christopher Hodgson told members: 'We need to move forward with this and be positive and not find ourselves at the same place in two years' time.'

Mr Cook said the graveyard was church land and burial fees belonged to the church.

'It is very unusual for a council to cut grass in the graveyard. It is entirely up to us how we maintain it.'

Cllr Kay Bickley told Mr Cook the conversation had been helpful but reminded him that what the council received 'goes in the pot for the next piece of land we buy for burials'.

Cllr Christine Marsh insisted the council make a decision on the matter.

Cllr Hodgson agreed: 'This is a millstone around the council's neck. We could either write the debt off or flip the coin and come to some sort of agreement.'

He proposed that the council offer the church a 30% discount if they pay the £1,500 debt by August.

Cllr Bickley said any contract in existence was a verbal and not a written one. However, although she did not agree on an adjustment to the debt, she felt the council should give the church a longer period to pay.

Cllr Tony Leech said: 'We should not give up. We have discussed this ad nauseum and tried to find ways for them to pay it.'

Cllr Hodgson proposed that the council would accept 50% payment of the outstanding debt (£750) by Okehampton Churches if it was made by the end of September.

The committee voted seven to two for his proposal, adding they had done this in a spirit of 'good will and partnership' and asked town clerk Don Bent to write to Mr Cook with this conciliatory offer.