New contract for stray dogs and pests
Fees for stray dog work and pest control treatments in the St Albans District are to remain the same for the next three years with just one exception.
St Albans City and District Council has renewed its contract with SDK Environmental which will continue to provide the services.
Residents will see no increase in any of the fees apart from a new charge of £30 for cockroach and bed bug treatments. That work was previously free.
In a new development, residents will phone the company directly to report strays or book pest treatments instead of going through Council officers.
This initiative is designed to improve the speed and efficiency of the service as well as reduce costs.
The new three-year contract – which was put out to competitive tender – began on Tuesday 1 December.
Councillor Beric Read, Portfolio Holder for Community Engagement and Localism for St Albans City and District Council, said: “We are pleased to renew our contract with SDK Environmental.
“They have considerable experience of dealing with stray dogs and pest infestations in the District. These are important tasks which they have been doing well.
“Direct dialling to the contractor is a major improvement as it will save time and money.
“The other good news for residents is that - with one exception - the charges remain the same and will do so for the next three years. That represents value for money.”
SDK’s call centre is open 24/7 and residents can also go online to book a pest treatment.
The kennels used by the company have a 100% success rate in finding homes for unclaimed dogs.
People who cannot find their dog can look on the lost dog section of SDK’s website which holds details and photos off all dogs collected.
Stray dogs that are micro chipped will be returned free of charge to the owner.
Direct calls to the contractor is part of Council’s Customer Access Strategy. It is intended to improve services for residents and reduce the Council’s costs.
The other costs, besides cockroaches and bed bugs, are:
Rats and mice: free;
Wasps: £40.92, discounted to £25 for people on housing benefit, the council tax support scheme (excluding single person’s discount) and universal credit;
Containing stray dog: £25;
Kennelling per dog per day: £12;
Delivery of dog to owner: £35;
Out-of-hours costs between 9am – Midnight per dog - £75.00;
Out-of-hours costs between Midnight and 9am per dog - £150.00; and
Destruction and disposal of dog - £60.00
The phone number for inquiries about pest control is 03444-828325, while the internet link for online bookings and requests for call back is: https://www.dialapest.co.uk/council/council.php
For stray and lost dogs, the number is 03444-828346. The lost dog website is: https://www.lostdogsuk.co.uk/index.php?id=37&asId=as2&tgt=St+Albans+District+Council&sub=Search