County councillors in Monmouthshire are being challenged to cap their mileage claims and pay an annual charge for current free car parking places at county hall with the proceeds earmarked for environmentally friendly projects in the county.

Councillors on the Conservative run authority will be asked to consider two motions proposed by the opposition Liberal Democrats which would see mileage rates reduced and councillors paying a fee for their reserved car parking spaces based upon the carbon emissions of their cars.

At present, county councillors in Monmouthshire receive up to 48.5p per mile if attending a meeting of the council or on an 'approved journey'. This contrasts with the recommended rate of 40p by Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs.

Speaking on the motion, Councillor. Phil Hobson, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Monmouthshire County Council said that the time had come for councillors to stop talking about the environment and climate change and "start making some sacrifices."

He added, "Monmouthshire County Council currently has a mileage allowance scheme that actually rewards people for polluting the environment: the bigger your car engine the more you get per mile. This has to stop.

"Furthermore we have a crazy situation where the rate per mile is, in some cases, more than the threshold for tax. If the Tax office says 40p, then we should stick to it."

Claiming that the cut in mileage allowances would cut costs, Councillor. Hobson said, "If you receive more than 40p per mile, you are then taxed on the extra by the tax office. This involves paperwork for the council and the HMRC. By cutting back we actually make a saving for the taxpayer by eliminating administration and staff time."

If successful the Liberal Democrat motion would see mileage rates for councillors being capped at 40p per mile with any extra being dedicated to a new 'Monmouthshire Carbon Compensation fund'. Research commissioned by the Liberal Democrats revealed that this would rise in the region of £10,000 per year.

"If we are successful and we see the establishment of this new fund we will be able to invest in environmental projects and public transport schemes.

"We've seen bus routes being cut back or withdrawn all together recently, whilst we are getting demands for bus services to meet up with local train services in Abergavenny and Chepstow. This fund could help establish new bus routes taking cars of the roads," said Councillor Hobson.

In a more radical move, councillors could also be asked to start paying for their car parking spaces at county hall in Cwmbran, which are at present provided for free.

In this second motion to the council, an annual one-off car parking charge will be based upon the carbon emissions of each individual councillor's car, which would have already been registered with the council.

Starting at zero for the cleanest cars, the charges would increase to a maximum £400.00 a year for the most polluting.

The money raised from this second, new charge, would also go into the suggested 'green fund'.

Councillor. Hobson admitted that he expected to face opposition to his party's motions but added, "Councillors have a choice: this credit crunch and economic crisis is teaching us that we have to start living within our means both financially and environmentally.

"Cutting back in the ways we are suggesting, will save money for the taxpayer, repair some of the damage of councillors' motoring pollution and show people that we are willing to lead and set an example."

At the time of going to Press, figures had not been completed on how much money the new charges for councillors would raise.

"We're still waiting for officers to complete the calculations; however we have a ball park figure of about £9,000."

"All together we are looking at potentially £20,000 per year being generated for projects to combat carbon pollution and invest in green projects in the county."

He added, "We have to stop beating people with a stick over climate change and lead by action and example. Who knows, the new car parking charges may persuade councillors to ditch their more polluting car. They will save money and help the environment at the same time."