Agenda and minutes

Items
No. Item

1.

Question from: County Councillor Matthew Dorrance Subject: Vermin Control

 

Question From:

County Councillor Matthew Dorrance

Subject:

Vermin Control

Question To:

County Councillor James Evans  

Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Housing and Regulatory Services

 

Question:

The Council’s decision to scrap its vermin control service has had an impact on communities and residents who can’t afford to pay a private contractor.

 

Whilst vermin control is not a statutory service, it is an important one in helping to maintain public health. 

 

Pests can carry diseases, cause damage to property and problems will only get worse if left untreated. 

 

This has been recognised by those Welsh Councils that have maintained a pest control service.

 

I have received concerns about rats at various properties and locations in St John Ward which residents are rightly worried about.

 

Therefore, will the Cabinet Member reinstate a vermin control service, either directly maintained or by contract, to help tackle the problems residents are experiencing?

 

Minutes:

Response by the Portfolio Holder:

 

Thank you for your question.

 

The decision to withdraw the pest control service was made by Council in March 2014 as part of the budget reductions agreed for 2014/15. I note your comments that the service was important for public health although you acknowledge that it is not a statutory service. Prior to its cessation, the service was operating at a substantial cost to the Council which was not sustainable. Given the Council’s current financial situation there is no scope to reinstate a service that operated at a loss.

 

There are also a number of local companies who carry out this work and for residents with concerns to contact them. Having said this, the council’s Environmental Protection service will investigate complaints of vermin on land and will take enforcement action as appropriate. Any complaints should be directed to environmental.protection@powys.gov.uk.