Residents Must Pay For Control Of Pests

Homeowners can no longer get the issue tackled free by Northampton Borough Council.

On Monday, 1st June, the council announced its environmental health team would not be able to offer a pest control service for vermin and insects.

The decision to cut the environmental health services was made as part of a cost-cutting budget in February.

Steve Elsey, Northampton Borough Council's head of public protection, said: "As with many other councils we have had to look carefully at the services we can offer to residents. We are no longer able to offer a pest control service for vermin and insect pests. To help residents resolve any pest control issues they may have, the division is able to give information and advice."

Mr Elsey said residents can obtain a guide to help which is available on the council's website and more comprehensive fact sheets can be obtained by calling the Public Protection Team on Northampton 838000 or visiting the council's One Stop Shop in the Guildhall.

Councillor Trini Crake (Lib Dem, Boughton Green), the council's portfolio holder for environmental health, said: "If anyone has a problem all they have to do is telephone us and we will look into it. We will not leave anyone in need."

Although there is no statutory obligation for a local authority to offer a pest control service, some residents have described the decision as a health risk.

A Kingsley resident who has a rat problem outside her house, who did not wish to be named, said: "I had a horrendous experience of finding a huge rat dead in my back garden. I think it is disgusting and a health risk to not provide any cover for rats. It now costs me £40 to get the rat problem fixed."