MONMOUTHSHIRE council has already received complaints over a plan which it hopes will help claw back funds in preparation for multi-million pound cuts next year.

A senior council officer has mooted whether the plan to advertise along its roads and in authority car parks, which could bring in £100,000, could be criticised for “defacing” the Monmouthshire countryside.

It is understood one company has paid £20,000 to advertise along several of the council’s roads for three years and that “a number” have enquired.

But six people have already complained, mainly about where the signs have been placed.

Operations chief Roger Hoggins said in council documents that it is possible “criticism will arise about MCC defacing Monmouthshire countryside with advertising and some small businesses will complain that they cannot afford advertising costs”.

It is expected members of the public will be asked about their views on saving ideas, including the advertisements, at consultations run across Monmouthshire in coming months.

Senior councillors agreed for preliminary plans for advertising along on roads and in car parks in the summer.

Other proposals, including removing staff from the county council’s Innovation House base in Magor and rooting them to its County Hall headquarters in Usk, look to bridge a £1.5 million black hole. Next year the council is expecting to need to make cuts worth £7 million.

As the Argus has previously reported, Monmouthshire could also relinquish direct control in its leisure services and place them into a trust. Leisure trusts have already been established in Newport, Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent.

Documents show Monmouthshire’s cultural services department is spending £1.08 million this year, significantly over its £770,000 annual pot. The council has admitted its museums service is “hugely overstretched and unsustainable”.

The council’s leader Cllr Peter Fox said he was keen to work with any members, regardless of their party, to see what could be done to cut back at a meeting on Wednesday.

Cllr Fox told members: “Please come forward with your alternatives if you have them. We will work with you to form them if you wish.”

But following an attack from Labour group leader Cllr Dimitri Batrouni about a possible reduction in the county’s schools budget he said retaining spending next year at this year’s level was a major commitment.

He said: “This is a huge part of our budget. To flatline it is a strong message from us.

“When we get down to it we know that they staff in our schools are innovative, they are finding ways to drive forward.”

Any suggestions from members must be made to the council by November 30, one of the council’s deputy leaders, Cllr Phil Hobson, said.

The cabinet member for finance Cllr Phil Murphy said people were keen for services to continue.

Cllr Murphy said: “The clear message from the public was to charge more rather than lose front line services. That was line that came out loud and clear at the public sessions.”