A COUNCIL spent more than £1,000 on “policing” a former headteacher’s 84th birthday party at its last care home, it has been revealed.

Great-grandfather Don Robson staged a seven-day sit in at Stanhope’s Newtown House before being forced to leave the doomed Durham County Council facility in September.

His 84th birthday party ended in acrimony after the council sent in security guards, the event having been advertised in the media.

The guards limited the party to a maximum of 15 people, enforcing a “one in, one out” policy which initially meant Mr Robson’s daughter was barred from entering.

Now a Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed the security cost the authority £1,202.13, excluding VAT.

Lesley Jeavons, the council’s head of adult care, said the family declined to manage the party and “intelligence” pointed to a risk of a wider occupation of Newtown House and so “appropriate security” was put in place to “protect those staying and working there, confidential records and the building itself”.

However, Michelle Robson, Mr Robson’s daughter-in-law, said the cost was absolutely disgraceful.

“It was all heavy-handed and far outweighed what should have been in place.

“An 84-year-old’s birthday party didn’t need security and crowd control.

“That they’re spending money on unnecessary things like this raises issues about their funds and budget.

“They don’t care about the people of County Durham and certainly not the people of Weardale.”

Mrs Robson said the family were unable to tell the council how many people would attend the party as Mr Robson had lots of friends and it had been in the media.

Ms Jeavons said: “The results of advertising parties on social media are well documented in the press.

“Had we not taken steps to protect people and property we could have put both at unacceptable risk.”

Mr Robson is now living with Mrs Robson and her husband, Steve.

Newtown House and four other homes closed under the same programme, Mendip House in Chester-le-Street, Cheveley House in Belmont, Feryemount House in Ferryhill and Grampian House in Peterlee, are up for sale.

The FOI request also named the security providers as Showsec. The council refused to say how many man hours were worked for commercial reasons.