Decision details

Consideration was given to recommendation CE 24/6 of the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee of 7 February 2024 in respect of the pest control service.

Cabinet had due regard to the views of the Scrutiny Select Committee, the financial and value for money considerations and legal implications and recognised that whilst there was no statutory requirement to provide a pest control service this had to be balanced with the needs of residents, especially the availability of subsidised treatments to assist vulnerable households.  On the grounds of ensuring value for money and appropriate budget setting given the Borough Council’s financial position, Cllr Boughton proposed that expenditure should be up to the current budget subsidy identified.  This was seconded by Cllr Coffin and supported by the Cabinet.

Finally, the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health committed to exploring all options to ensure that service efficiencies were identified and that the process was easy to access.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             a pest control service where residents could be referred too and agreed treatments subsidised for those in receipt of Council Tax Reduction up to the current budget subsidy from November 2024 (Option 3)  be tendered for; and

(2)             delegated authority be given to the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Regeneration and Property should a tender be unsuccessful.