Content

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.