I have just read the news that Caradon District Council is discontinuing its pest control service – yet another service lost while council tax continues to soar! Thirty years ago, when I first worked in local government, you paid your rates and if you had a problem, such as a wasps nest or blocked drains, you called the council and someone came out and dealt with it. Now you pay your exorbitant council tax and if you have a problem you are referred to a private contractor or you have to pay for someone from the council to come and deal with it. All you get for your money is tosh like the 'Vision Statement for Looe' which just arrived through my door, no doubt dreamed up at my expense. I ran Caradon's pest control service for ten years until six years ago. When I left it was a thriving service. In the light of the Cornish Times report, I am willing to offer a pest control service provided there is sufficient demand.
Nigel Ramsey (via e-mail)