CHEPSTOW Town Council met last Wednesday (15th January) to discuss the possibility of paying an extra £57,000 this year towards two town facilities.

A request has been received from Monmouthshire County Council (MCC), asking its town counterparts to pay towards two buildings as part of 'budgetary contribution'. The county council is asking the town council to support the cost of the museum and tourist information centre.

A payment of £10,000 for 2014/15, £25,000 for 2015/16 and £45,000 for 2016/17 has been asked for to fund the museum; and £47,000 is requested for 2014/15 to fund the tourist information centre.

This request was met by a lengthy and heated debate at the extraordinary town council meeting, where councillors accused county council officials of not providing sufficient supporting information with a justification of how the final figures were reached; not mentioning if the town council would now be involved in the management of the sites; and not allowing the council enough time to discuss the request.

The informal request was put to the council's clerk at a meeting on 19th December.

Town councillors also became angered at the apparent threat of double taxation for Chepstow residents.

Councillor Armand Watts said: "We have to look the taxpayer in the eye and say that we are charging them for something twice. This is

double taxation and I do not accept that is our responsibility to pay out. It is a threat by MCC, they've put an axe above our necks."

The request was defended by some councillors, who expressed concern that the services could be at risk if no action is taken to help the county council. Councillor David Dovey said: "This is not Monmouthshire County Council's fault, it is a coalition of circumstances. If you let it go, you won't get it back."

In a recorded vote, eight councillors passed a motion to contact MCC, requesting further financial information, a formal request and "a proper and robust business plan". The council did agree "to work with Monmouthshire County Council in the future to secure the continuation of existing local

services".