CHARGES for A boards and street furniture could still be implemented by Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) after backlash from businesses caused them to be put on hold.

Charges for businesses using displays such as advertising A boards, external seating areas and shopping displays were introduced in 2016 and in the process of being implemented in Monmouth when traders reacted angrily to the charges coinciding with increases in business rates.

The issue about A boards and street furniture was seen as another blow after businesses in the town were hit by prospective increases in their business rates following changes in the way the Valuation Office Authority works out rateable values.

MCC pledged to delay the implementation of any charges in February after serious concerns were raised about the future of shops in the county’s high streets.

However MCC’s Strong Communities Select Committee will meet tomorrow (28th September) to discuss the scheme again.

Under the original plans, shops with A boards would have had to pay a one off license fee of £50, while those with larger displays such as tables and chairs would have to pay a one-off license fee and an annual fee between £120 to £360.

A report written by MCC’s Head of Operations Roger Hoggins states that MCC would expect these charges to collect a one-off income of £10,000 for A boards, plus a one-off income of £2,700 and a recurring annual income of £5,200 for larger displays.

It is possible that the original scheme could be implemented as originally planned, but there are also a range of other options. These include the scrapping of a one-off charge for A boards, but increased charges for larger displays such as seating areas and sale rails.