MONMOUTHSHIRE County Council was accused of 'kicking the towns and individuals' of Monmouthshire as a row broke out between councillors and officers over plans to end free car parking.

At a heated economy and select committee meeting the council's regeneration officer Kelly Beirne, transport manager, Paul Keeble and head of operations, Roger Hoggins, presented a report commissioned by Capita Gwent into the restructuring of car parking charges across Monmouthshire.

The report, which cost £17,000, was branded as 'seriously flawed' by a number of councillors. Many were outraged with the officer's proposals to abolish free car parking in the county as well as extending charges until 6pm and introducing charging on Sundays.

Councillors from Chepstow, Caldicot, Abergavenny, and Usk argued that the decision to implement the recommendations would have a devastating impact on their towns' economies. Many also highlighted the fact that the report's observations did not take into account local businesses.

Chepstow Cllr Armand Watts, said: "This report is seriously flawed. Frankly I am amazed, the report doesn't even take into account the local businesses - the most important group that will be affected."

Abergavenny Cllr Simon Howarth, Caldicot Cllr John Marshall and Chepstow Cllr Stephanie Dovey agreed the report was flawed and many accused the officers of ignoring the pleas of local people.

Cllr Stephanie Dovey said: "Businesses are already closing and there is just no getting away from that."

Caldicot Cllr Dave Evans said: "If you do this, you are going to shut all the businesses down.

"You might as well put a bulldozer through Caldicot. There will be more empty shops and then you won't be getting your council tax and business taxes will you."

Abergavenny Cllr Douglas Edwards said that charging on Sundays would impact on local church attendance and tourism throughout Monmouthshire, and that people working in the towns would not be able to afford to pay. He said: "This authority is kicking the towns and individuals all of the time. You will not get my vote on this and you will not get the public's vote either."

Defending the council's position Kelly Beirne said the council would consult the public over the issue. She said: "There are a number of options and we will continue to try and find a mutual benefit."

Three options were proposed as recommendations from the report, all of which resulted in abolishing free car parking. Cllr Watts and Cllr Howarth both argued that they should be allowed to put forward a fourth option - to not introduce the charges at all, but Cllr Tony Easson who chaired the meeting said: "That will not be possible."

He also reminded the meeting that the select committee's remit was solely for scrutiny and discussion and that the consultation period was still in continuance.

Monmouth MP David Davies said he had been in close personal discussions with the authority over the issue, had expressed his concerns regarding Sunday parking charges. He said: "The council are in a difficult position but have assured me that no concrete decision has been made. I think they need to look at the success of the free parking scheme held over the Christmas period - it would be interesting to see the feedback from that."