Issue - meetings

The Board received a report from the Director of Public Health, which provided an update on the Pest Control Service following the implementation of a charge for rat treatments in April 2025.

 In February 2025, the Board agreed to introduce a new fee to recover the full cost of rat treatments on domestic properties.  However, residents who were in receipt of Council Tax reduction benefits would be exempt.  The proposal was ultimately agreed by Council as part of the budget setting process for 2025/26.

           Since the charge had been reduced the number of treatments delivered by the service had reduced and the service would not achieve its anticipated income target. It was noted that the potential negative consequences of the charge outlined in the report to the Board in February had not materialised. These included an increase in rat activity and an increase in enforcement cases for the Environmental Protection team.  

RESOLVED:  That the Board endorse the proposal to continue with the current means tested charges for rat treatments.  This includes the provision of free treatments for residents in receipt of Council Tax reduction benefit.