National Pest Awards 2023 - Local Authority of the Year

Nominations for the Syngenta sponsored National Pest Awards 2023 

Hyndburn Borough Council

Hyndburn Borough Council in Lancashire employs two technicians and a hands-on manager, and its core work is domestic treatments within the borough, and it has 89 commercial contracts.

The council also has a contract with a neighbouring local authority to provide a domestic pest control service.

Lee Taylor, the council’s pest control manager, said that six months ago, Hyndburn Borough Council started charging a £30 fixed fee for domestic pest control work.

Mr Taylor said: “For the previous 18 years, domestic pest control was a free service, which for the last two or three years saw waiting lists for rats and mice jobs rise to two months. Since the £30 fee was introduced, appointments take place within 48 hours.”

He added: “I was over the moon that the team is a finalist – I even danced around the office.”

 

Luton Borough Council

Luton Borough Council’s pest control department currently employs six fully qualified pest control officers and two managers.

David Porter, the council’s pest control and dog warden operations manager, said the team deliver a fully integrated pest control service to the 214,000 residents of the town,

across 19 mainly urban wards. “In addition, we service a wide range of commercial contracts across varying sectors which adopt a treatment and sustainable prevention approach.”

Mr Porter said his team are fully qualified to RSPH Level 2 and BASIS PROMPT registered for CPD.

Since August 2020, the council has worked in partnership with Milton Keynes Council helping to tackle rodent issues in public places.

“It would mean absolutely everything to win this award, because it’s acknowledgement from the industry, which we value very highly,” Mr Porter said.

 

Sunderland City Pest Control

Sunderland City Council’s pest control work covers the private sector and commercial contracts.

Peter Wilkinson, the council’s pest control technical officer and dog warden officer, said the council employs 11 pest controllers, a manager and two admin staff; and two of the pest controllers cover the commercial contract work.

“This is the second year that the council has offered a free service for domestic work,” Mr Wilkinson said, “And we’ve been inundated with calls.”

He said that the pest control department works alongside the housing and enforcement teams in its work.

“We train all of our technicians to RSPH Level 2 and this training is provided through Killgerm,” Mr Wilkinson said. “Level 3 is optional and normally offered for those wanting to step into a more managerial role.”

“We are delighted to be finalists again. Hopefully we’ll win this year.”