CHESHIRE East Council is considering scrapping its pest control services.


The council already announced plans to cut back on the service by £60,000 as part of planned savings in the 2015/16 budget, but the council says it could be scrapping the service altogether.


Cheshire East’s current in-house service deals with a variety of pests including rats, mice, wasps, ants and fleas.


Cllr Les Gilbert, Cabinet member for communities, has been asked to review three options, including leaving the service unchanged or scrapping it altogether.


A Council report says that a third option of reducing the service would be the most appropriate way to make savings while meeting Cheshire East’s commitment to deal with public health pests.


Under the option for reduced provision, the Council’s pest control service would concentrate on treatment of rodents and current charges of £10 for treatment of rats in domestic premises would be increased to £40 with a concessionary charge of £20 for those on income-related benefits.


Cllr Gilbert said: “We take our duties on pest control very seriously and will continue to do so.


“However, we also have to consider whether we can justify the cost of our existing in-house service for the treatment of some pests when this service is offered by the private sector.


“If we opt to reduce the service, we will remain committed to tackling rodent infestation through providing treatments and exercising our enforcement powers.”