A PARISH council precept could rise by £1,200 next year.

Heighington Parish Council is considering setting its precept at £7,300, compared with £6,100 for this year.

Despite the proposed rise, members at this week's council meeting heard that each band D household in the village would be unaffected by the increase. They were told that band D properties paid £8.44 a year, but because 50 more houses had been built in the village this year, the increase would be shared between more households and the charge would be £8.43.

Council chairman councillor Brian Anderson said: "Although we are increasing the precept we are not putting any more burden on the people in Heighington.

"It is a 15 per cent increase on last year. It is a lot as far as Heighington parish is concerned, but as far as householders are concerned they are not paying us anymore precept."

But Councillor Gerald Lee said: "I'm concerned, because Darlington will be increasing its precept."

He said because the parish council had £10,000 reserves, it should reconsider the precept.

Councillor John McGuckin said the money saved had been intended for the West Green project, which fell through, but there were other projects it could be used for in the village.

Members agreed to hold a finance sub-committee meeting next month to look at the precept and how best to use the savings being made in the village. A final decision will be made at the council's meeting in January.