MONMOUTHSHIRE County Council are set to review their policy on the management of advertising and sales spaces which intrude on to public highways and thoroughfares.

The Council’s Strong Communities Select Committee will meet today (September 28th) to consider the implementation of a policy adopted last year but suspended due to an increased burden of NNDR (National Non-Domestic Rates) on local retailers.

The policy, Commercial Obstructions in the Highway, set a range of charges for the siting of A boards, displays, benches, tables and chairs outside business premises and also outlined the authority’s policy on fly posting and display banners.

Charges implemented in July, 2016 included £50 as a one-off fee for the siting of an A-board, £125 for seating, sale rails or displays - with an annual renewal based on area occupied - and £75 for a one-off pitch. Only charities are allowed to advertise with adverts and banners and are not charged under the policy.

The charges were initially rolled out in the south of the County and were in the process of being introduced in the north but the hike in business rates - with Monmouthshire retail businesses hit by an averages 11% increase - led to the Council pressing the pause button while the impact was reviewed.

A report prior to the meeting, written by Roger Hoggins, head of operations with Monmouthshire Council states, ‘The implementation of the policy commenced early this year but the revaluation of business rates by government created significant concern and disquiet within the business community.

‘Members became aware of the additional financial hardship arising from the new National non-Domestic Rates regime and that this coincided with the roll out of the obstructions in the highway policy’.

The report adds, ‘Although no further consultation was undertaken, it appeared that the concern expressed by business was predominantly about the charge rather than the concept of permitting businesses to display’.

The report states the time has now come to either confirm the existing policy or a new policy should be adopted to ensure the public highway can be effectively managed.