FEARS of a massive increase in the parish council precept failed to materialise as it was set at £70,000 - a rise of almost three per cent.

Barnton parish clerk Roy Garton explained why his estimated figure of a 10 per cent increase, which caused a storm of protest from residents, had not happened.

Mr Garton said: "At the December meeting of the parish council, I had a hit list from councillors of things they would like to see in the next budget and if I had included all of them I predicted a 10 per cent rise.

"In the end I excluded some items and once I had done the end of the year financial statement, the budget I set was at £70,000 an increase of £2,000 over last year - a rise of 2.94 per cent."

Some of the larger payments include £9,000 for the police community officer, an increase of £1,000; £8,000 for the memorial hall (no change), £12,670 for the burial committee, an increase of more than £3,000 and the youth club £8,000 (no change).

But the figure for the Nursery Road Recreation ground was slashed by half from £13,500 last year to £6,500 this year.

This figure allows for maintenance of the skateboard park and equipment, emptying litter bins, and safety inspections, maintenance of existing equipment and minor items, security measures and the payment of water and electric.

The parish clerk has put £500 for good causes and a £2,000 donation to Barnton Youth Football Club.

Mr Garton added: "Of course it is salient to point out that the parish council precept is minute when you compare it with what the borough council and the county council charge.

"As there are approximately 2,000 plus dwellings in Barnton, dividing that by the £70,000 precept works out at approximately £35 per dwelling on average which is less than 68 pence per week.

"The actual increase for the year is probably less than £1 per annum per dwelling.

"I would also point out Barnton Parish Council spends all its precept and has no reserves."