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The Wimbledon & Putney Commons Conservators have agreed their Levy which will raise the funds to manage the Commons over the next financial year, 2008-09. They have settled on an increase in the Levy of 3.9%, keeping in line with the current rate of inflation.

This increase means that the Conservators' income from their Levy payers will rise in the coming financial year to £891,939 from £858,062 in the 07-08 financial year.

The Levy is charged on properties situated within the area 3/4 mile from the Commons or in the old parish of Putney. This area covers much of Wimbledon, Putney and Roehampton and a small part of Kingston. The money is collected on behalf of the Conservators by the boroughs of Merton, Wandsworth and Kingston by means of an addition to the Council Tax on these properties.

"The Levy next year will mean that a Band D property will pay £23.32 per annum, added to the Council Tax, to help to look after the Commons," said Gordon Vincent, the Conservators' Clerk & Ranger and Chief Executive. "This represents remarkably good value for local residents. No comparable open space in London costs so little to maintain, expressed as 'cost per hectare', as Wimbledon & Putney Commons.”

October 19, 2005