Concerns over rat sightings in Renfrewshire have been placed at “the top of the agenda” after a report was prepared on the problem, an elected member has said.
Councillor Iain McMillan, Labour group leader, received cross-party backing in September after he urged the council to look into an “apparent rise” in the prevalence of the rodents in the area. At the time, he expressed his worry a “pattern” could be emerging as constituent complaints about the issue became more common.
A paper was presented to Renfrewshire Council’s infrastructure, land and environment policy board, providing background on the subject, as well as analysis and next steps. Councillor McMillan, who represents Johnstone South and Elderslie, said: “I’m glad to see the work has been done and it’s come back in a reasonable timescale, which was good to see.
“I do welcome the report. I don’t know what I was expecting. When I read it the first time I was a bit underwhelmed to be perfectly honest with you.
“But then once I read it again a couple of times I said, fair enough, it answers a lot of the points that I raised on behalf of my constituents and I’m sure there are other people throughout Renfrewshire who have got this problem as well.”
Data covering requests for rat treatments from April 2018 to November 2024 showed a slightly increasing trend over the last two years but a decreasing trend overall.
Hotspot areas were identified through the analysis and a closer examination has pinpointed factors which are likely to be the cause of infestation. These include bird and wild animal feeding and business and domestic waste.
The report said the environmental health team adopts a “proactive approach” to pest control. It will continue to develop joint working relationships and try to prevent the environment being created for them in the first place.
Councillor McMillan added: “We’ve managed to achieve what we set out to achieve, we’ve put it to the top of the agenda. It’s come to a formal board, it’s been accepted there is a problem.
“The council has a role to play, there’s no doubt about that, but so have other people … It’s on the agenda, people are talking about it and hopefully people will be assured that various agencies are doing something about it.
“But I think as individuals we’ve all got a role to play in keeping our gardens tidy, keeping our bins tidy and, I know this is a sensitive issue and a lot of people do this, feeding the animals as well doesn’t help matters. It’s all our responsibility, it’s not just the council.”
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