Ashford Borough Council is committed to keeping its council tax low, so it is essential that public funds are focussed on statutory services. With this in mind, the council will be changing the way it provides pest control services.
From 1st January 2016, subsidies will be removed and charges will be introduced for services relating to rats, mice, bedbugs and cockroaches. Local authorities are not legally required to provide a pest control service, although they do have a duty to keep their district free from rats and mice.
Currently, two thirds of Kent authorities do not offer any form of concessions and this includes our partnering authorities, Maidstone Borough Council and Swale Borough Council. Swale introduced charges three years ago and has not experienced any detrimental effects to the environment. However should an issue arise which has the potential to impact on public health, a contingency fund is available to deal with the situation.
Mitie are the council’s approved contractors but residents are free to shop around to find their preferred supplier and at a rate that suits them.
Portfolio holder for Public Interaction and Borough Presentation, Cllr Clair Bell, said: “Ashford Borough Council is dedicated to providing cost-effective services and keeping its council tax low, which is why money is being focused on statutory services.
“With one year to go before embarking on a joint procurement with Maidstone Borough Council and Swale Borough Council, now is the ideal time to trial the new charging structure and monitor its effect.”
Ashford Borough Council: 13th October 2015
I think that this change is disgusting.
The fact that Mitie, the company that deals with rat problems, won’t remove dead rats is even worse.