Appeal for long-term fix to rat problem

Opposition councillors in North Lanarkshire say proposals to scrap pest control charges for 12 months are a“sticking plaster”and a “political stunt”ahead of a by-election in the authority later this month.

The Labour administration announced earlier this month that it will propose the policy change, meaning residents will not need to pay £49.15 for a call-out to deal with rat or mouse sightings, at this week’s virtual council meeting.

SNP members – who campaigned last year for increased recording of all vermin sightings across the area – support the news for residents but say a wider solution is required and queried its timing, ahead of the Murdostoun ward poll on June 24.

Opposition leader Councillor Jordan Linden said:“i welcome any initiative that will help address the issue of rat infestation and environmental concerns facing many of the communities across North Lanarkshire.

“However, I question the motivation of this administration in bringing forward this proposal with no consultation, democratic scrutiny or engagement [and] which just happens to be ahead of a by-election in a community that has experienced issues with rats in recent years.

“This is an issue of Labour’s creation after years of cuts to environmental services, including changes to bin collections, grass cutting and uplift charges, and this sticking plaster will not remedy the long-term issues.

“It has been caused by years of poor decision-making by Labour. We need a whole-system approach to addressing these issues and that is what we will continue to focus on.”

Announcing the planned move, council leader Jim Logue said:“rat and mouse sightings have become more common during Covid for a variety of reasons and for some communities is the number one issue they currently face.

“It has been a tough year for everyone and our focus has rightly been on building our recovery from the pandemic.

“But it’s vital that we continue to do the day job too and I’m confident that this announcement shows our administration is continuing to listen to the concerns of residents.”

The policy will apply to pest control calls to residents’homes for sightings of rats and mice, and will cost an estimated £200,000, to be paid from the council’s coronavirus recovery fund.

A total of £150,000 was also allocated in this year’s council budget for environmental measures including increased pest control in“defined priority areas over the summer”in response to rising concerns from residents, with 1500 vermin sightings being reported during 2019-2020.