CHEPSTOW town councillors have been asked to cough up £118,000 to keep the town’s services operational.

In a meeting last week, Chepstow Town Council received a presentation from Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) to begin money-saving discussions.

MCC’s deputy leader Bob Greenland explained that while cuts of over £130 million are going to have to be made, funding to essential services such as education and social services are to be maintained, meaning other services across the county are “going to have to take the brunt” of potential cuts.

MCC still have over £1.5 million to find, assuming that it increases council tax by nearly five percent, and warned the council that cuts could be made to frontline services if this figure is not met. MCC are hoping to raise £500k from the county’s four town councils as part of its annual budget.

Cllr Greenland proposed some examples of changes that Chepstow could see in order to save money, including the town council funding a manual street cleaner which would save MCC £25,000, reducing the museum opening hours by a day, saving £10,000 and reducing the opening hours of the Hub that currently incorporates the library and the One Stop Shop from 46 to 37 hours a week, saving up to £30,000.

Another possibility discussed was the option to move the struggling Tourist Information Centre into the Hub in another effort to cut costs.

MCC are also looking into the possibility of sharing some services with other county councils, and considering the option of looking at trust ownership for some services, or the potential for a “super trust”.

Councillor Ned Heywood said that the council need to be realistic and “be grown up about it and take some responsibility.”

Cllr Armand Watts was sceptical, however, suggesting that the council agreeing to MCC’s request would “fundamentally change the role of the town council and the services provided.”

The council noted it would be “irresponsible” to make a decision at this time, and would consult with the town council’s finance committee at a meeting on 14th October.