AN Evenwood pensioner has complained to his MP after discovering his parish council tax had gone up 203 per cent.

The 67-year-old, who did not want to be named, said he was shocked to discover the rise when he opened his new council tax bill which raised his annual Band C property rate from £27.36 to £82.90.

The man, who has asked MP Helen Goodman to look into the matter, also said residents had not been consulted on the change, which will fund the asset transfer of the village’s children’s centre from Durham County Council.

“They have not even held a public meeting,” he said.

“They put it up 12 per cent last year so to put it up by this amount this year is ridiculous.”

However, Evenwood and Barony Parish Council clerk, Martin Clark, said the council agreed to take on the responsibility of running the centre, also known as the Randolph Centre, to save it from potential closure.

“The Parish Council have shown great courage and commitment through the Durham Ask to take on the Randolph Centre in order to retain the building for the community in the future,” he said.

“The newly formed Foundation Trust will develop the building into a community hub and increase access beyond the limited hours currently provided by One Point and Children’s Centre.

“Provision of a focal point for the community and a place to socialise is particularly important in a rural village to be able to offer opportunities to the local community which help to tackle social isolation, offer opportunities for people to socialise in a safe and warm environment and for those who are out of work to be able to learn and develop new skills.

“The council knew to finance this it would need to raise the precept. It was always conscious that any large increase, shown as a percentage, would be difficult and looked at ways to bring the costs down – which it has.”

He added: “Yes, it is an increase in the precept, but it will help to ensure that there is an improved community centre with a sustained future.”

Mrs Goodman said: “I think that in this time of cuts it is very important that parish councils use their resources as effectively as possible for the benefit of the community.”