South Derbyshire District Council is set to discontinue its pest control service due to financial constraints and rising operational costs
Derbyshire: So, it looks like South Derbyshire District Council is throwing in the towel on its pest control service. They just can’t keep it going without hiking prices way up, which isn’t great for anyone.
The service has been on hold since last April after the only pest control officer retired. They tried to work with a private contractor temporarily, but now they’re saying it’s time to make a final call.
Last year, they got 342 requests for help with pests like rats, mice, and wasps. But here’s the kicker: they only brought in about £10,876 while the service cost them £14,000. Not exactly a winning formula, right?
To keep things running, they’d need to pull in nearly £43,000 a year, which means charging residents 200% more. Ouch! So, they’ve decided to scrap the whole thing.
But don’t worry too much. The environmental health team will still help out with some pest issues for those who can’t afford private services. They’ll offer advice and even take action if needed, all funded by a small budget.
The council is also thinking about teaming up with a local pest control provider to handle requests. They’re clear that pest control isn’t a must-have service for them, but they’ll still keep an eye on public health issues.
They assure everyone that stopping this service won’t leave a big gap since there are other options out there. Plus, they’ll keep fulfilling their legal duties regarding pest control. If they do go ahead with this, they’ll let residents know how it’ll work.
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