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As reported back in January, Bridgend Council is considering options to change pest control services.
As Bridgend is one of the few local authorities that still provides a free pest control service, the preferred option at the time was to scrap the free service and pass the costs onto residents, saving around £63,000 a year.
Although ending free pest control did have majority support (58%) in the budget consultation, in February 2021 one of the council’s scrutiny committees raised concerns about the impact this decision would have on people on fixed or low incomes.
It was agreed a final decision would be pushed back until further options were put on the table. As a result, the existing council contract with Rentokil to provide the free service was extended to 31st October 2021. The service currently deals with around 4,500 calls a year, the majority of which (4,205) involved rats.
In a report due to be discussed by the Cabinet next week (pdf), five new options have been drafted:
- Option 1 – End free pest control services (as originally planned), saving £63,400 a year.
- Option 2 – Introduce a 50% discount for people who receive benefits (unknown financial impact). This is similar to the service in the Vale of Glamorgan.
- Option 3 – Introduce a 50% discount for people who receive benefits, but continue a free service for pest control in living spaces (bedroom, kitchen, living room, bathroom). The financial impact is unknown but it’s expected it could bring in around £71,000 in additional fees.
- Option 4 – Continue to provide the free pest control service with a charge for wasps and fleas, though the financial impact is unknown.
- Option 5 – Bring pest control services in-house. This would cost up to £192,000 and would likely see charges levied to recoup the cost.
No option is given a recommendation by officers and it’ll be put out for public consultation in due course.
