Agenda item

          The Board received a report from the Director of Public Health regarding a review of fees and charges for Pest Control services.  The report set out the services undertaken by the Environmental Health Team which comprised the control of rats in the Borough.  This included the provision of rat treatments to domestic premises, which was currently free of charge.  However, it was proposed to introduce a charge to cover these costs with effect from April 2025.  The team also provided treatments for nuisance pests such as mice, ants and wasps, however, there was a charge for this service. 

          Members were advised of the risks of introducing a fee, however, in response to the Council’s budget position, a number of proposals had been put forward for consideration and one such proposal was to introduce a charge for the provision of rat treatments on domestic properties. 

          It was noted that all Cheshire and Merseyside local authorities had retained an in-house pest control service and most now charge for rat treatments, although some still offered a free service.  A breakdown of this information was included in section 3.8 of the report. 

The cost of rat treatments by a private contractor would range between £120-£240.  The actual cost of providing an average rat treatment in Halton had been calculated as £45.60 (including VAT).  The Council currently received over 2,500 requests for rat treatments each year and this number had increased gradually year on year. 

          Members were asked to consider a proposal to introduce a fee of £45.60, with effect from April 2025 for all rat treatments on domestic properties and noted that:

·       There would be no reductions or concessions, as applying a means test to the service would significantly increase administration costs;

·       The proposal would disproportionately impact low-income households;

·       The proposed fee had been set as low as possible and was considerably less than using a private contractor;

·       Removal of free rat treatments was likely to lead to an increase in enforcement work for the Environmental Health Team;

·       There was a risk that a reduction in rat treatments would lead to an increase in rat activity in the Borough; and

·       A full list of fees and charges for domestic pest control was set out in section 5.6 of the report.

Members noted and discussed the report and further to questions, the following additional information was provided:

·       Residents affected by rat problems from neighbouring properties e.g. derelict buildings, would not have to pay for treatments.  However, the Council would take legal action against the owner of the problematic premises and this would incur charges to the Council;

·       95% of rat treatments were provided to domestic properties;  a small amount of work was for schools or Council buildings. Going forward new job codes would be created to ensure the impact of the proposal could be measured; and

·       75% of rat problems were currently reported via the Council’s website and 25% went through the Contact Centre.  If a means tested benefit was applied, those affected would have to go through the Contact Centre and therefore, this would add work to the Contact Centre, which in turn would apply hidden costs.

Some Members of the Board expressed their concerns about the proposed charges and the impact this would have on low income households, as well and the health and safety implications for all residents of the Borough.  It was also suggested that some people who have rat problems also use bird feeders, which can attract rats, and therefore, Members asked if some educational information could be made available to the public.

Following discussions, the Board agreed that recommendation (1) of the report be amended to “endorse the proposal to introduce a new fee that recovers the full cost of rat treatments on domestic properties, with the exception for those in receipt of benefits (subject to proof)”.

They also requested that a further update report be brought back to the Board in November 2025.

RESOLVED:  That the Board:

1)    endorse the proposal to introduce a new fee that recovers the full cost of rat treatments on domestic properties, with the exception for those in receipt of benefits (subject to proof); and

2)    recommend that the proposal is taken forward by Executive Board and Council, as part of the budget setting process for 2025/26.