ABERGAVENNY Town Council will invest more than £8,000 in replacing its CCTV cameras in the town centre.

Councillors agreed to take the cash from its reserve funding to ensure that five of its six cameras are replaced with Dome-style models to produce better quality images using improved technology.

The current cameras are eight years old, and the county’s stock of spare cameras is running out.

The cost of replacing five cameras would mean a one-off bill of £8,350, on top of its annual contribution of £13,000 to running costs.

Andrew Mason, CCTV development officer for Monmouthshire community safety partnership, said upgrading the cameras will not only provide better clarity but mean potential offenders cannot tell which way they are facing.

While councillors supported the need for CCTV in the town, many were concerned that funding new cameras would put strain on the council’s coffers.

At a town council meeting on Wednesday, Cllr Martin Hickman said CCTV is imperative and must be upgraded.

“It’s a no-brainer. We must keep CCTV and upgrade it if it’s needed,” he said.

Cllr Norma Watkins said: “Every council has to cut its cloth and there is no spare money. I do not think we can make a decision tonight.”

Monmouthshire CCTV is a county-wide scheme which operates in Abergavenny, Chepstow and Caldicot.

The three other towns also contribute £13,000 towards the administration and infrastructure of the system.

Monmouth Town Council controversially withdrew its six CCTV cameras from the town in 2008 after seven years.

The scheme is part-funded by Monmouthshire council to the tune of £138,000.

Following a lengthy discussion, the council agreed to use cash from its reserve funding as the budget had been agreed earlier in the meeting.