An item on the agenda for Monmouth Town Council was to discuss sending a letter to Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) regarding the charges at Waitrose car park.

Opening the debate, campaigner Steve Clark, who presented evidence at the 1993 public inquiry said: "There was absolutely no reference in the Waitrose proof of evidence to the possibility of a change if MCC began charging in what remained of the town car parks."

He challenged the supermarket to give the cash to local charities and put something back into Monmouth.

Mayor Jane Gunter, then asked for comments from councillors. Cllr Sue White pointed out that Waitrose does help the community through its Community Matters scheme.

Cllr Chris Munslow said that it was "perfectly true" that one of the conditions of the 1993 enquiry was that the car park would be free for the first two hours.

But Cllr Stuart Wilson called the whole debate completely and utterly ridiculous: "We have a good business in Waitrose coming in and providing jobs. I normally expect to pay to park at supermarkets and Waitrose have the legal right to have a car park, MCC passed that several years ago and no-one complained then."

He finished by saying he was quite angry to see this on the agenda.

Cllr Sue Chivers, who put forward the discussion item said that Cllr Wilson was in school when the inquiry took place and claimed Waitrose got planning under false pretences: "It's unfair and not justified, I would like to remind Cllr Wilson this planning committee voted against the charges."

Cllr White hit back by saying that if we hadn't had Waitrose coming into town, Monmouth would not be the place it is.

Cllr Graham Pritchard imagined their takings were down judging by the half-empty car park and said he would not be surprised to see the charges withdrawn because they cannot afford to make people that work in the store redundant: "But consistency is the key for me, as the Abergavenny store does not charge."

Cllr Chivers reminded the chamber that the previous method of controlling the car park with a barrier seemed to work well.

Cllr Owen said that her remark was absolutely valid: "They had a pretty good system with the barrier and the booth. I don't see why they need this very inconvenient system, it's extremely awkward for a mother with toddlers and pushchairs."

Cllr Bob Hayward told councillors that they were meddling in something that is not their business; "Waitrose are entitled to charge. I accept one of the problems is the half hour, it's not long enough. The evidence is that people are voting with their feet and it's up to Waitrose to resolve this and sort this out."

He urged the council to wait and see what happens.

Cllr Davies reminded them that shoppers were able to get their car park charge back.

The motion to contact MCC regarding the issue was withdrawn by Cllr Chivers.