MONMOUTHSHIRE County Council has put its A-board policy on hold following trader backlash across the county.

Plans to control the boards on pavements “that could potentially cause hazards” have been suspended “for the time being”.

The contentious policy, which was agreed upon in July 2016, required businesses to pay a one-off charge of £50 if they wanted to use the boards to advertise.

Those using seating or item displays would also have to stump up £125 and further annual costs depending on square meterage.

But the changes have been deferred until further notice after traders across Monmouthshire voiced their opposition against the charges.

Around 100 people, including local AM Nick Ramsay, gathered on Monmouth high street on Wednesday in a sit out protest.

The Argus had also previously spoken to traders in Caldicot and Chepstow about the rates, which were described as “unfair”.

In a joint statement issued yesterday, council leader Councillor Peter Fox and chief executive Paul Matthews said traders had made “fair points”.

“Traders in this county are serious sensible people and they play a massive role in the success of our towns – without them we are lost,” it reads.

They went on to say that the decision made last year had been made prior to the council becoming awareness of the business rates valuations.

The proposals made by the Valuations Office Agency (VOA) suggested sharp rises across the county, with some businesses facing increases of upwards of 300 per cent.

The statement continues: “The policy was agreed well before anybody became aware of the madness being introduced to the rural trading community by the latest business rate revaluation exercise – an issue that we have been working hard on with local chambers of trade for months to lobby for change.

“It is not our goal to make life hard for traders and as such we are minded to ask council to re-consider their approach in light of changed circumstances and in the meantime set aside a policy that may be seen to frustrate trade.

“The money side is not material to the council so there will be no charges to traders anywhere in Monmouthshire for the time being."