Southwark Lib Dems Criticise Pest Control Fee Hikes in Budget

Southwark Liberal Democrats denounced the council’s intention to raise pest control charges again in a Monday meeting.

The council’s draft 2022-23 budget includes proposals to bump up property inspection fees for pests by 130%, with discounted visits jumping by 100%.

Proposed prices would consequently rise to £57.30 and £28.60 respectively.

This potential growth in cost follows on from similar changes to pest control charges in the 2021-22 budget when Southwark Council increased fees to get rid of rodents by 94%.

At the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) meeting on Monday, Southwark Liberal Democrat members blasted the Labour administration for multiplying inflationary pressures on residents.

Cllr Victor Chamberlain, vice-chair of OSC, expressed unease about higher pest control charges last year and repeated concerns about its effect on the vulnerable on Monday.

OSC members will make formal recommendations to the proposed budget on 25th January.

Cabinet will consider these suggestions on 1st February before proposing a balanced budget to council assembly for approval.

Commenting, Cllr Maria Linforth-Hall, Southwark Liberal Democrat member of OSC said:

“Southwark Labour is not listening to residents complaining about fly-tipping, damp or mouldy flats and disrepair in estates. That it now wants to add to residents’ woes by making it even more expensive to deal with pest issues is not only ignorant, but also cruel to those on lower incomes. It cannot complain about inflationary pressures on people in our borough while adding to these issues as well.”