DESPITE grant reductions by Waverley Borough Council, Witley Parish Council is keeping its precept for 2016/17 down to a rise of under 10p a week on average.

Council chairman Patrick Stewart said: “This will enable us to maintain our high standard of public facilities.

“It will also enable us to put the council on a sound financial footing without having to deplete our reserves.”

More services are being contracted out and some projects postponed – such as a new depot – he added, but money will still be set aside for the eventual replacement and upgrade of the recreation ground’s play equipment.

The parish council approved a precept of £194,000 – an increase of around £5 for a Band D council tax payer.

The council owns and manages public open spaces at Witley Recreation Ground, Milford Heath, the Jubilee Fields, the Pleck, Moushill Green, Sunnyhill playground and Robertson’s Green, as well as one cemetery, a closed graveyard, and two allotments. Last year, it adopted a programme of contracting out their maintenance.