PROPOSALS to regulate advertising boards and chairs and tables in Monmouthshire's High Streets have been slammed.

Monmouthshire Council's Cabinet is to decide today (Wednesday) on a new policy to charge businesses to put so-called A-boards and furniture such as chairs and tables outside their premises.

The council's Cabinet member for community development, Cllr Phil Hobson (Lib Dem, Larkfield) said: "We recognise that a limited amount of advertising and display gives colour and vibrancy to our streets as well as adding to the character and atmosphere of our towns and villages, but the council also has a statutory duty under the Highways Act to allow safe public access. 

"Our intention is to encourage enterprise while reducing risks to pedestrians and road users".

The council also said it has consulted widely on the proposed changes.

A statement to the Cabinet from the Monmouth Chamber of Trade states: "We are not aware of any consultation with Monmouth businesses by MCC in preparing this report, except back in February.

"The tone of the report you are considering varies from understanding the needs of retailers to a more confrontational tone on enforcement.

"We are particularly concerned for the retailers in Swan and Beaufort Courts and the Oldway Centre as, if no boards are allowed for their businesses, as the rules imply, they will be disadvantaged and we feel that the council should consider alternative means of support for them.

"In the report it states that a public survey on attitudes to A boards has been conducted by MCC, but in a county with 89,000 people we question whether taking a sample of only 121 members of the public is statistically sufficient to make a judgement."

Jackson Bryce, who is a volunteer at the Savoy Theatre in Monmouth, told the Review: "We find it quite hard to understand how A boards and street furniture, which they say is obtrusive for the visually impaired, will be made less obtrusive if we pay the county council some money.

"A principal part of our publicity campaigns is the A board we place outside.

"This is a traditional way of any theatre of cinema to advertise forthcoming attractions. It carries the details of about eight different shows or films that are due to come to the Savoy, and is indispensable in letting our customers know forthcoming attractions."

Erica Hastings, owner of the Designed for Beauty salon in Agincourt Square, Monmouth said: "This is such a terrible plan of action the council is taking. The policy, and the charges they are suggesting, will, I can assure them, cause businesses in the town to close."

The proposed charges range for an A-board are an initial £40 and an annual fee of £40. For street furniture there is an initial charge of £125 and an annual fee of between £120 and £360 depending on the size.

Banners promoting charitable events, but which are sponsored by a local business, will also be charged.