Bolton Council is working to reduce the “three months” waiting time for the free rodent service, a councillor has revealed.

At the council meeting on Wednesday, Cllr Les Webb asked the executive cabinet member for regulatory services, Cllr Sue Haworth, to explain the inflated waiting times after receiving a “number of complaints” from residents on Bradshaw Brow, Kings Street and Bromley Cross.

Cllr Webb described the waiting times for the “essential service” as “less than acceptable” and “disappointing that such a flagship policy is being so under-resourced".

The service, which came into effect on April 1, is available to residents who have their own homes, and those living in private rented accommodation.

It covers rats and mice, which pose a significant risk to public health.

In addition to the health risks, rodents can cause significant structural damage to homes by gnawing under floorboards, within stud walls and drywall linings, or by making holes in loft insulation which can cause condensation and rot in the joists.

Addressing the council, Cllr Haworth said: “When the charge was introduced by the Conservative council in 2021, waiting times were predicted to be up to four weeks, so that’s the baseline.

“I will work hard with officers to reduce the awful delays Bradshaw and other residents are experiencing and I want to apologise about that to each and every resident.

“[But] I hope none of us have forgotten how bad rat and mice issues had become in this borough by 2022/23.

"Research has said there were around 569 callouts for rat problems in 2021 in Bolton.

“This shot up to 1,238 per annum by 2022.

“Residents in the Bolton borough can rely on Labour at the town hall to recognise the needs of people and do the right thing. For many months this re-introduced service has ran well and we’re proud of it.

“The council re-established the free rodent pest control treatment service in April 2024 following a review of the previous chargeable service where customers were expected to pay £48 for a treatment.

“We anticipated at the time when we launched the free service that we would see demand increase significantly.”

Cllr Haworth noted that the Labour council has since “made provisions for a full review of the rodent treatment service after a six-month period” and have “evaluated where necessary adjustments to supporting processes” and “resource deployment arrangements with the aim of improving accessibility to services".

She added: “It’s very important we don’t lose sight of the fact that a free pest control service puts the health and safety of our residents first and access to this will assist in reducing the overall rodent population.

“Which in turn will decrease the risk of people coming into contact with diseases that can spread to others directly and indirectly from pests.”

Control of pests such as cockroaches, bed bugs and fleas will remain a paid for service for residents.

If you live in social housing, then your registered landlord is responsible for pest control.