CERTAIN fees for Ribble Valley Borough Council to deal with pests in the borough could more than double under new plans.

The council is considering proposals to increase a number of charges for its pest control team to respond to call outs.

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The biggest potential cost rise is the unspecified domestic callout charge, which would rise from £11.40 to £44 if approved by councillors.

During working hours, the rodent single treatment charge would rise from £22 to £44, and an out of hours rodent single treatment charge would jump from £44 to £88.

Missed appointments are currently free of charge, but would rise to £44, the rate of a unspecified domestic callout.

The council would also look to reduce each additional wasp, flea, ants or other nests treatment on one visit from £16.50 to nothing.

Figures for pest control call were unavailable unless an Freedom of Information Act request was made.

In a health and housing committee report, the council’s head of environmental health services Heather Coar, said: “The council does not have a statutory authority to provide a pest control service and there is no requirement to offer the service free of charge.

“The aim is to introduce a simplified and consistent charging regime across pest control treatments.

“Out of hours treatments and missed appointments by householders are costly for the council.”

Figures for pest control call were unavailable unless an Freedom of Information Act request was made.

Pendle Council announced last month that it operated a free call-out service but will now charge to deal with rats, mice and cockroaches.

Neighbouring Blackburn with Darwen Council also implemented a similar pest control charge of £30 in April 2015.

Cllr Mary Robinson, leader of Clitheroe Town Council, said: “I can understand there being increases as that is happened in all areas of the council.

“But to charge double and more than double does seem like quite a big jump.”