PLANS to continue funding a chaplain at Rockwell Green Primary School has failed to win the support of Wellington Town Council.
All Saints Church at Rockwell Green applied to the town council for a three-year funding commitment totalling £9,000 to help finance a school chaplain at its local school.
The church has provided a school chaplain at Rockwell Green for a number of years, but present funding had come to an end and it asked the town council if it would be prepared to support future plans.
But the answer from members of council’s policy and finance committee on January 13 came through loud and clear - a big thumbs down.
Cllr John Thorne said: “This goes totally against our grants policy – we just can’t support this. We would be subsidising the Bath & Wells Diocese.”
Cllr Justin Cole added: “This is the thin edge.”
Cllr Cole said that if they supported the chaplaincy application, it would be difficult to say “no” to other faiths if they came to the council asking for funds to support similar initiatives.
A church spokesman said: “The grant would support the continuation of a project that is well-established and highly-valued in the community.
“It would directly benefit the residents of Rockwell Green by providing a service that meets a known gap.”
The initial finance to start up the school chaplain project came from the Rural Development Ministries Fund, but expired at the end of 2024.
“Over the past five years the position of a school chaplain has been well-accepted and is much-valued,” added the church spokesman. “We are seeking funds to continue a project with a proven track record to continue its benefits to the community Rockwell Green and, in particular, the children, young people and families who are supported by the primary school.”