People infested by rats in the Ongar and North Weald area face having to pay to get rid of them.

A £23.50 charge including VAT for the service was recommended for approval at Epping Forest public health committee on Tuesday.

And councillors were also asked to back fees for removing bulky domestic refuse.

Head of environmental services, John Gilbert, said in a report that the concept of charging was introduced as part of a review of the council's finances.

The fee for pest eradication had been set to allow for the fact that at least half the treatments would be free to the elderly.

There would also be a fall-off in requests for help because of the charges, but additional income was estimated at £8,000.

The committee heard that last year requests for action involving rats reached 1,614 and for mice 346.

The average for both over the last three years was 1,960 a year.

Mr Gilbert also said that from April 1, it was proposed to charge for collections of bulky refuse.

Up to three items would be £15, four to seven, £20 and seven to 10, £25. VAT would also be charged.

The cost of more than 10 items would be assessed by the contractor.

Councillors were told that most collections would attract the £15 charge, generating an income to the council of about £20,000.

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