Liberal Democrat councillors have slammed Labour for sneaking through massive rises in pest control charges just before Christmas, with only two week’s notice of implementation and just eight months since the last price increase in April 2010.

Labour Council Leader Chris Robbins’s decision will force residents to pay:

• 60% more for bedbug control (now costs £155, up from £97)
• 53% more for flea control (now £115, up from £75)
• 40% more for mice control (now £105, up from £75)

The poorest residents (concessions for those on Council Tax Benefit) are also hit hard with increases of up to two-thirds:

• 64% more for bedbug control (now £90, up from £55)
• 51% more for flea control (now £65, up from £43)
• 28% more for mice control (now £55, up from £43)

Liberal Democrat Environment spokesperson Councillor Naheed Qureshi said:

These massive price increases are an another extra burden on local residents, Many people may now think twice about whether to call out the pest control service. This risks further infestations as the pests will spread further and possibly affect neighbouring houses before action is taken.

It’s a short-sighted decision which shows Labour councillors simply don’t care about the effect of their decisions on local residents.

The council’s Chief Finance Officer estimates that the price increases will generate an extra £75,000 for council coffers. The decision was taken by Councillor Chris Robbins on Tuesday 21st December 2010. The new charges came into effect on Tuesday 4 January 2011.