Labour Urged to Ditch Pest Control Charge Hike

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 3rd Jun 2008

Lib Dems Criticise Labour's Increases in Pest Control Charges

Manchester Liberal Democrats have demanded Labour rethinks its plans for massive increases in the cost of the Council's Pest Control services, following concerns expressed by local residents.

The Council are proposing an 18% increase in charges for treating mice infestations, a 25% increase in the cost of dealing with wasps nests and a 164% increase in the cost of tackling "other pests" including beetles and other vermin. Liberal Democrat Councillors have described the increases as "excessive" and have called-in the decision to a powerful Committee, who will look again at the increases.

Withington Lib Dem Councillor Brendon Jones, who signed the call-in motion, said:

"These inflation-busting increases are excessive. This is an essential service that helps local residents to keep their homes free from pests, rodents and vermin. Increases of up to 164% will hit everyone hard, especially low-income families."

Councillor Brendon Jones added:

"It's not too late to halt these unfair increases. June's Resources Scrutiny Committee has the power to recommend this decision be overturned. I hope Labour Councillors on the Committee will join me and my Liberal Democrat colleagues to demand that these plans, which will hinder the fight against pests and vermin, are scrapped."

End

Council Decision to Increase Pest Control Charges "Called-in" to Scrutiny Committee:

"We are calling-in the recent "Key Decision" to increase charges for the Council's pest control services.

The Council are proposing an 18% increase in charges for treating mice infestations, a 25% increase in dealing with wasps and a 164% increase in the cost of tackling "other pests" including beetles.

We would ask Councillors on the Resources Scrutiny Committee to investigate the proposed charging regime for this vital public service. Local residents want to know how such above-inflationary increases can possibly be justified."

Supported by:

Manchester's 33 Opposition Liberal Democrat Councillors including Councillor Brendon Jones (call-in signatory and Lib Dem member of the Resources and Governance Scrutiny Committee )