In Salford we've had the Bedroom Tax and the Kiddie Tax (click here), now get the Rat Tax – to be introduced by Councillor Gena Merrett, Assistant Mayor for Housing and the Environment, next week.
A report to the Assistant Mayor shows that Salford has a rat problem, with over seven thousand Council call-outs over the last four years to deal with the problem. Now Gena Merrett is to introduce a charge, or Rat Tax, for anyone found to have rats on their premises, even though it isn't usually their fault.
Drawing on a Greater Manchester Police and Crime Steering Group Report, those who don't pay the Rat Tax will be prosecuted under The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949.
The Council report states "In situations where individuals report rat infestations to the Council for treatment but are not prepared to pay the fee, then it would be necessary for the Directorate to investigate the matter and if appropriate, serve a notice on the owner or occupier under the provisions of the above Act".
A £50 Rat Tax was considered by Council officers but rejected in favour of a £10 fee to "minimise the impact on residents living in deprived areas of the City and those on low incomes".
Despite culling its own pest control service over the past few years - including a £31,000 cut in the current year - Salford Council's department still has a deficit of £9,400 and the Rat Tax is expected to fill the financial burrow, together with other increased charges - although these won't be subject to prosecution if people don't comply.
Council charges for the control of cockroaches are set to more than double, from £21 to £49; charges for ants will rise from £37 to £42, squirrels from £94 to £98; fleas from £47 to £49 and bed bugs by the same amount, unless there are four or more bedrooms which will cost £94. There are no changes in charges to deal with mice (£21) and wasps (£42).
Meanwhile, the controversial Rat Tax will increase every year in line with inflation…
* Rat Tax Assistant Mayor, Gena Merrett, is not just adept at rumaging around rodents' nests for new crumbs of income. She also got the infamous Mary Burns dustbin this year for winning the `Ashley Jensen Award for Exposing Political Extremism' - click here for full details
Photo shows Salford Council's last official rat catcher Thomas Darbyshire, as seen at the Life Through The Lens exhibition at Salford Museum and Art Gallery in 2010
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