TREATMENT of rats or mice in domestic premises in West Devon will continue to be offered free of charge, borough councillors decided last week.
The environment and health committee discussed levying a charge for pest infestation treatments to offset a forecasted budget deficit for the year 2003/04, at its meeting on Thursday, January 9.
A report on the feasibility of charging for domestic treatment of rats or mice acknowledged that the introduction of any charge could have the effect of deterring people from reporting an infestation.
?The Local Authority relies upon the public to freely report any and all problems associated with rodents, to monitor the levels of infestation within the Borough,? stated the report.
The borough collected advice on the issue from other local councils, some of whom already charge for rodent infestation treatment.
However, the borough solicitor questioned whether the Council could lawfully charge for pest control services and raise money from the practice without acting beyond its powers.
The committee decided that control treatment for rodents should remain free of charge, while charges for other pests such as wasps or flea infestation was an accepted practice and could continue.