Agenda item

11.1

To recommend an increase to the current fees and charges structure.

11.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee approves the changes to the fees and charges set out in the appendices to this report.

11.3

Reasons for Decision

11.3.1

We believe these proposals will allow the service to cover the cost increases it is facing on materials, salaries, and transport. The service also has to cover the cost of free, subsidised and statutory obligations.

Appendix 1 shows current proposal for Fees and Income uplift.

Appendix 2 shows fees and charges from previous year.

Appendix 3 shows the full year income was £908k, the estimated income at approximately 10% increase over a full year is £998k.

11.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

11.4.1

This continues a principle of subsidised public health significant pest control for people on low income, however SCC is not obliged to offer that. However without some subsidised pest control and or a major increase in enforcement, it is hard to see how SCC can meet its equalities, public health and cost of living ambitions.

11.4.2

These proposals continue to provide some concession to allow short or long term tenants to proactively request and pay for where required some pest services. An alternative approach could be to put the onus back on landowners to keep their land free of public health significant pests like rodents, cockroaches, and bedbugs and if the land or property is rented there is no concession available as there is an income for the owner for the land which should help pay for the treatment.

11.4.3

We will bring proposals on the cost benefits of such a proposal to a future committee in 2023. Such proposals would also consider the cost benefits of whether an entirely free service should be maintained and whether some contribution should be expected even for concessionary rat treatment which is currently free.

11.4.4

Previous project reviews have considered the cost benefits of the use of inhouse v contracted out pest control services and concluded that the inhouse model provides best value for money in that a well run inhouse commercial service can help reduce the cost of subsidised / free services and reduce enforcement costs.

11.1

The Head of Environmental Regulation and Licensing introduced a report which set out proposals to increase the current fees and charges structure for pest control.

11.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee approves the changes to the fees and charges set out in the appendices to this report.

11.3

Reasons for Decision

11.3.1

We believe these proposals will allow the service to cover the cost increases it is facing on materials, salaries, and transport. The service also has to cover the cost of free, subsidised and statutory obligations.

Appendix 1 shows current proposal for Fees and Income uplift.

Appendix 2 shows fees and charges from previous year.

Appendix 3 shows the full year income was £908k, the estimated income at approximately 10% increase over a full year is £998k.

11.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

11.4.1

This continues a principle of subsidised public health significant pest control for people on low income, however SCC is not obliged to offer that. However without some subsidised pest control and or a major increase in enforcement, it is hard to see how SCC can meet its equalities, public health and cost of living ambitions.

11.4.2

These proposals continue to provide some concession to allow short or long term tenants to proactively request and pay for where required some pest services. An alternative approach could be to put the onus back on landowners to keep their land free of public health significant pests like rodents, cockroaches, and bedbugs and if the land or property is rented there is no concession available as there is an income for the owner for the land which should help pay for the treatment.

11.4.3

We will bring proposals on the cost benefits of such a proposal to a future committee in 2023. Such proposals would also consider the cost benefits of whether an entirely free service should be maintained and whether some contribution should be expected even for concessionary rat treatment which is currently free.

11.4.4

Previous project reviews have considered the cost benefits of the use of inhouse v contracted out pest control services and concluded that the inhouse model provides best value for money in that a well run inhouse commercial service can help reduce the cost of subsidised / free services and reduce enforcement costs.