COUNCILLORS have asked for businesses in Monmouthshire not to face charges for having A-boards of outside seating outside of their premises.

Plans to control street furniture on pavements that could “potentially cause hazards” have been suspended since February following trader backlash across the county.

Under the current policy, which was implemented in June 2016, businesses faces one-off or annual charges depending on the type of permit they require.

A report by the council’s head of operations Roger Hoggins shows that a one-off £50 charge is required for shops to have A-boards outside.

For seating, sail rails or displays an application will cost £125 and an annual renewal of between £120 and £360 depending on the size the objects take up.

It is estimated that a-board income would generate £10,080 per year depending on a 70 per cent take up of the scheme.

If the 31 shops currently complying with the scheme paid the application and renewal for seating or displays, the council estimate the income would generate between £5,208 and £6,510 per year.

Mr Hoggins told the strong communities select committee on Thursday that all income would help towards the running costs of the permit system.

But the charges have been a point of contention amongst businesses and local politicians, with more than 100 people protesting the rates in Monmouth in earlier this year.

Abergavenny businessman Damian Cole, who attended the meeting, said: I think the council will be far better off working with the businesses to encourage more visitors rather than financially penalising them by charging for seating outside.

“I talked to the owner of Harry’s Bar yesterday and he’s only got six stools inside and it’s a very small premises.

“It would absolutely cripple his businesses if he couldn’t have his tables outside.”

Cllr Laura Jones, member for Wyesham, was in agreement, saying: “We’re desperately trying tog et people into our town centres, whacking another cost on them is in my opinion not the way forward.”

Cllr Alan Davies, member for Green Lane, mentioned the plight of town centres suffering declining footfall but called for balance in regards to the policy.

“What we can’t have is a free for all for businesses placing stuff willingly on the highway which is a danger to people,” he said.

“I totally agree with the comments about small bushinesses, they’re the lifeblood of our communities.

“But there has to be a system where we must inspect and make sure the system is not being abused.”

Llanbadoc Cllr Val Smith believed that the charges were “not unreasonable” and that the council needed control.

Cllr Richard Roden, member for Dixton and Osbaston, claimed to have received emails from visually-impaired constituents who find the placement of A-board difficulty to navigate.

Feedback from the meeting will be sent to cabinet members who will make the final decision on the policy.