Council confirm that pest control service will be cut in October

THURROCK Council have formally announced that they are axing their pest control service.

The Gazette reported back in March that the service was for the chop and the council started scaling down their pest control services in April.

They have now confirmed that the entire service will stop completely from October 31 this year.

The Cabinet discussed the closure of the service, which is not a statutory duty, at its meeting on Wednesday August 6.

A report to the Cabinet said there were more than ten private pest control contractors in Thurrock and over 70 British Pest Control Association members within a 25-mile radius of the Civic Offices in Grays.

The report stated that “a mature market” had developed “to the point where residents within the borough would not be significantly affected were the council to cease its pest control service”.

The report continued: “It should be noted that in consequence of this market, demand for the council’s services has significantly declined to the point where it is no longer appropriate to make this provision.”

The council will continue to offer its pest control service, which it charges for, until the end of October this year.

Councillor Ben Maney, Cabinet member for Public Protection, said: “Value for money is one of this council’s basic principles, and Thurrock Council decided last year that residents would receive as good a service from the private sector.

“That made continuing our paid-for service unnecessary.”

Thurrock Council retains responsibility for ensuring landowners keep their property free from rats and mice and can serve notice for action to be taken.

The Cabinet was informed that the council’s website would be updated, advising residents to use a member of the British Pest Control Association to deal with any problems.

Thurrock Gazette