Local resident Dave Fisher writes to the Council about the removal of free rat treatment in the Council's budget.
Dear Councillor Shaffaq,
I was concerned to note the introduction of a charge for the treatment of rats at domestic properties in this year's budget proposals –
In 2008 a Council report stated.-
'Rats must be controlled to help preserve and maintain good standards of public health. They carry parasites and other harmful organisms that can cause diseases such as food poisoning and Weil’s Disease, which is potentially fatal to humans. Rats cause damage to buildings and property and their droppings can contaminate foodstuffs. Many people are simply afraid of rats and an infestation can be very distressing. The presence of rats in public places or on commercial premises creates a poor image and is bad for business. '
‘Environmental Services provide treatments for rats to domestic customers free of charge, which assists disadvantaged groups in affording essential public health related pest control treatments. It also removes any financial barriers to reporting sightings of rats so we can be sure that the upward trend in demand is a genuine one.’
Can you explain how introducing a charge, will, in any way, improve the control of rats in the city? I can only see hinderance and barriers.
Why has charge has been proposed for rats and not for bed bugs?
Have the incidences of rats continued to rise since 2008 report?
Has any assessment been made of the likely impact of this change on the reporting/treatment of rats and on public health and environment in the city?
If, by introducing a charge, people are less likely to use the service, how are the council proposing to maintain an accurate figure for the city's rat population?
Thanks,
Dave Fisher