Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
New recording plan for all rat sightings
A new recording system to analyse all reports of rat sightings across North Lanarkshire has been agreed by councillors.
Coatbridge South representative Tracy Carragher successfully put forward a motion at Thursday’s virtual meeting asking that every sighting is compiled into regular committee reports to“help measure the scale and impact of the issue”.
She previously told the Advertiser how vermin sightings are a growing issue, exacerbated by flytipping and three-weekly bin collections, with the motion noting“rising concern by members of the public”.
The SNP member’s suggestion, to examine all reports through new North Lanarkshire digital services and help determine what action to take, was supported by both her party and the Labour group.
Councillor Carragher said:“It’s clear the majority of councillors recognise that there is an issue with vermin in our communities.
“An evidence-based approach will best allow us to put measures in place to help constituents and resolve this escalating problem, and we now look forward to seeing action on this important issue for our communities.”
The Conservative group put forward an amendment proposing an identical course of action but adding that the council’s response to rat sightings has been impacted by“cuts inflicted by the Scottish Government”.
Councillor Carragher added:“It’s disappointing that they failed to understand the substantive motion and chose to grandstand in oppositional politics, not put the best interests of the residents of North Lanarkshire first.”
A North Lanarkshire spokesperson had told the Advertiser last month:“We are aware that certain areas are affected by rats but this is not a problem across [the] council, which suggests there are specific issues; we are working with communities to address this.”