CHEPSTOW town council was divided last week after councillors accused members of the Drill Hall committee of undermining them over a solar panel proposal.

The committee's Chair, Cllr Ned Heywood and Secretary, Cllr Marian Lewis were accused of committing the town council to fund the installation of solar panels on the Drill Hall without consulting them.

Cllr Heywood recently told the Free Press the town council wanted to fund the scheme, which could cost up to £21,000 and were inviting private investors to also contribute.

However, it seems the town council were not aware of this.

At last week's meeting, Cllr Heywood asked members to approve the scheme adding the decision had to be made immediately so the panels could be installed before March 3 in order to obtain a higher rate of return.

He said: "We've had to push forward with the scheme in light of the Government's defeat over tariffs."

He added retrospective planning permission could be sought following the installation.

Cllr Hilary Beech said: "This isn't the first time this has happened is it? Certain councillors rail roading things through without consultation. The first I heard of this was in the newspapers and now we are being asked to commit thousands of pounds immediately without any real details."

Cllr David Dovey added: "We're being asked to commit huge sums of money for something we have no real evidence is worth it. The manufacturing of these panels is still in its infancy. There is no evidence yet that tells us how long they last or what kind of return we can get."

Cllr Beech called the scheme 'discriminatory' adding: "You're asking all of Chepstow to pay for it but only a select few investors will gain a return from it."

Cllr Armand Watts, also on the Drill Hall Committee said: "Other committee members have told me they don't fully understand how the scheme would work. We lease the Drill Hall from Monmouthshire Council so we would be paying for something installed on a building we don't even own."

Cllr Phylip Hobson and Deputy Mayor Cllr Henry Ashby said they supported the scheme.

Cllr Ashby recommended the decision be passed to the finance committee on February 8 in order to allow time for the panels to be installed by March 3. The recommendation was upheld with eight councillors in favour and seven against.

What do you think? Email chepstow@freepressseries.co.uk