Update Paper - Actions Taken Relevant to Rodent Complaints
North Lanarkshire Council · 8 February 2023
Back to Environment and Climate Change Committee — 8 February 2023 and its agenda
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Environment & Climate Change Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref: AM/PB Date 08/02/23 Update Paper - Actions Taken Relevant to Rodent Complaints From Andrew McPherson, Chief Officer (Community Operations) E-mail mcphersona@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 07939 280467 Executive Summary Following a motion to full Council of 13/08/2020, it was agreed to record and analyse all reports of rat sightings made to the Council and report the data to the relevant Council committee at regular intervals to help measure the scale and impact of the issue and inform the Council’s approach moving forward. At the full Council budget meeting of 02/03/2021, when the revenue budget was set for the 2021-2022 financial year, an extra £150,000 was awarded to Protective Services to treat defined priority areas experiencing high levels of rat infestation, to address local concerns. As part of the Recover NL funding provided to Services over financial year 2022/23, it was agreed that there would be a continuation of a free rodent control service delivered by the Council’s Protective Services division. This report provides a further and final update on the steps that continue to be taken in respect of the action plan which was devised in order to direct our resources to the areas of most significant concern, co-ordinating our response to the best effect and delivering improvement works. This report follows the last update paper which was submitted to the Environment & Place Committee on 24/08/2022. https://mars.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/egenda/images/att98474.pdf Recommendations It is recommended that Committee: • Support the actions that have and will continue to be undertaken to address identified problem areas. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve the health and wellbeing of our communities Ambition statement (14) Ensure the highest standards of public protection
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1. Background 1.1 The full Council meeting held on 13/08/2020 agreed a motion to: “Record and analyse all reports of vermin sightings made to the Council and report the data to the relevant Council committee at regular intervals to help measure the scale and impact of the issue and inform the Council’s approach moving forward”. 1.2 The full Council budget meeting held on 02/03/2021 agreed to provide one off annual funding of £150,000 to: “Treat defined [Pest Control] priority areas over the summer period to address local concerns.” 2. Report 2.1 On 10/02/2021, a paper was submitted to the Environment & Transportation Committee on ‘Analysis and Actions Taken Relevant to Rodent Complaints’. That paper noted data on the historical prevalence of rats within North Lanarkshire, tabulating information on rat complaints logged and dealt with by the Service. 2.2 An update position on rat complaints logged and dealt with by the Service is detailed in Table 1 below: Table 1 Financial year Enquiry Response Within 2 Days Rat Sightings but no Treatment** Treatment - Private Property. Treatment – Council Property Total 2020 - 2021 786 1,169 1,955 98 % 131 2021 - 2022 2,230 1,007 3,237 96.2 % 223 2022 – 2023 to date * 1,831 796 2,627 88.2 % * 83 * Latest data compiled on 14/12/2022 (further data input on first response date is pending; performance figures will increase as this data input is completed) **Where rats are sighted but no treatment is possible. 2.3 As previously reported, throughout the pandemic several factors combined to contribute to an increase in the number of rat sightings and complaints within the Council area. As a further interim measure to assist in addressing the increase in rat numbers, a temporary suspension of pest control charging for rats and mice was agreed at full Council on 17/06/2021. Following allocation of funding towards the Recover NL programme for financial year 2022/23, this suspension of charging will now remain effective until 31/03/2023. It is anticipated that any decisions in respect of 2023/24 will be delivered at the full Council meeting budget settlement for the new financial year. 2.4 From the figures above, which represent the first three quarters of 2022/23, it is expected that the number of complaints received from private properties will reach a figure of around 2,400 which is around a 10% increase on the previous year. When this
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is compared to the level of enquiry received from Council properties, where the cost of pest control treatment has always been covered by the rent of the tenants so there is no upfront charge, it is estimated that around 1,061 enquiries will be received by the end of the year. This number is on a par with the previous two years. This information would suggest that either the work undertaken within the main Council housing localities is preventing a similar increase of complaint being experienced within the private sector which has seen an almost 200% increase over the same two year period. Alternatively, the results could demonstrate that the problems of rats within the area overall are more or less consistent over the last two years, but those residents living within their own homes are making best use of the free service. The outcome from this will be unknown until such times as either the free service and/or the RecoverNL funding is removed. 2.5 With the assistance of Council colleagues in the GIS team, we continue to record monthly data in respect of rat complaints and then plot this on a geographical basis. Analysis of this information allows the Service to prioritise proactive baiting to address concerns in any part of the Council area. The analysis of this heat map data affords the pest control service the capacity to identify areas where the scale of the problem is greatest. 2.6 We have continued to collaborate with Housing colleagues to secure the most effective clean-ups in areas of identified concern, both in gardens and in the wider public space areas, presenting skips for removal of waste and engaging with the local communities. 2.7 A précis of works undertaken within those areas most affected by rat sightings/ complaints since the last committee report on these matters is as follows: • In September, a total of 23 skip loads of waste and refuse were removed from the New Stevenston area (Wrangholm Drive and Phoenix Place) in a major clean-up of the locality. • That same month, a total of 35 skip loads of waste and refuse were removed from Thorndean Crescent, Bellshill in a major clean-up of the locality. • In October, a total of 6 skip loads of waste and refuse were removed from Langloan Place, Langloan Crescent and Langloan Street in Coatbridge. • That same month, a total of 7 skip loads of waste and refuse were removed from Broom Place, Mossneuk Street and Rose Park Cottages in Coatbridge. • That same month, a total of 9 skip loads of waste and refuse were removed from the Townhead area in a clean-up of Morar Crescent and Wilton Street. • In November, a total of 6 skip loads of waste and refuse were removed from the Croy area in a clean-up of Smithstone Crescent and McSparran Road. • That same month, a total of 12 skip loads of waste and refuse were removed from the Greenend area in a clean-up of Southfield Crescent, Beechwood Drive and the Elm Street junction. • That same month, a total of 11 skip loads of waste and refuse were removed from Mitchell Street, Woodside Street and Sharp Avenue in Coatbridge. • At the beginning of December, a total of 9 skip loads of waste and refuse were removed from the Kirkwood area of Coatbridge. 2.8 Although areas of Carfin and Newarthill were previously noted as being of possible concern, following liaison with Housing colleagues, the areas of immediate concern were in fact in relation to Motherwell, New Stevenston and Jerviston. As reported here and in previous committee reports, these areas have all now been addressed.
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2.9 We remain committed to addressing clean-ups in the areas of Newmains, Crindledyke and West Crindledyke, and we will review this work in the early part of 2023 in conjunction with Housing colleagues. 2.10 Housing Officers covering the Coatbridge and Northern Corridor have been consulted, and arrangements are being made to review and re-inspect Kirkwood and Dundyvan, in addition to inspecting Shawhead and Sikeside, in order to undertake clean-ups in the first quarter of 2023. 2.11 We are currently (December 2022) in discussion with Housing colleagues who have confirmed that they have identified a further 10 areas that they wish to jointly target, across Airdrie and Cumbernauld areas. Work to clean-up identified gardens in relation to waste accumulations, and to cut back vegetation in identified public spaces, will be coordinated over the first quarter of 2023. 2.12 We have received a quotation for cutback and clearance works to remove waste, refuse and debris from Golfhill Road in Wishawhill, and to lay topsoil and turf over the temporary access road currently running through the garden of one of the properties. At the time of compiling this report, Environmental Health Officers are liaising with Housing colleagues and contractors to schedule a start date for these works. 3. Measures of success 3.1 A gradual reduction in rat numbers throughout the Council area leading to an overall improvement in the environment of local communities. 4. Supporting documentation N/A Andrew McPherson Chief Officer (Community Operations)
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5. Impacts ( http://connect/report-template-guidance ) 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The current suspension of charging for rats and mice has removed any financial barrier that some low-income households may have to securing effective and professional pest control treatment, although this will cease on 1 April 2023. If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website? https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-community/equalities/equality-and-fairer- scotland-duty-impact-assessments Yes ☐ No ☒ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts have been discussed and agreed with Financial Solutions? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Additional costs and reduced income associated with the suspension of pest control charging and associated clean-ups will be managed through the use of the temporary Recover NL funding. 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts have been discussed and agreed with People and Organisational Development? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic Solutions? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.6 Technology / Digital impact
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Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Where the impact identifies a requirement for technology, has an assessment been carried out (or scheduled) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The identification of hotspot areas, and their improvement through effective treatments for rodent infestations, will have a positive impact on the local environment and its use by local communities. 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g. Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed?