0:00:02 > 0:00:05From Waste and Recycling
0:00:05 > 0:00:07to Pest Control and Trading Standards,
0:00:07 > 0:00:11the taxes that we pay to our local councils
0:00:11 > 0:00:14are used to provide many of our most essential services.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17I like people who are keen to recycle.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20In this series we follow the frontline staff
0:00:20 > 0:00:24working behind the walls of Tameside Town Hall in Greater Manchester.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28Like councils officers across the country,
0:00:28 > 0:00:33these local heroes are waging war on those blighting our communities.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36- Oi! Oi!- Excuse me? - Excuse me, love, you can't do that.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38They're protecting us from hidden dangers...
0:00:38 > 0:00:42There's rodent activity in your kitchen, you won't be opening tonight, it's that simple.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46..making sure our cash is spent on those who need it most...
0:00:46 > 0:00:49I'm at a loose end. I do not know where to turn.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51..and responding to their residents when they...
0:00:51 > 0:00:53Call The Council.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05Coming up, tempers fray as the council tries to save money
0:01:05 > 0:01:08and persuade residents to change the habits of a lifetime.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10- Landfill's been around for - BLEEP- 100 years, mate,
0:01:10 > 0:01:13don't start saying we need to start changing it now.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Officers respond to calls from locals
0:01:16 > 0:01:18being given a bumpy ride by potholes.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22It's just horrendous, isn't it? It's had its day, this road.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25And a hairdresser with a salon overrun by rats
0:01:25 > 0:01:26calls the council.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29I want the problem solved, no matter what it takes.
0:01:40 > 0:01:45Almost two million people in the UK work for one of our 433 councils.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48Funded by the taxes we earn,
0:01:48 > 0:01:52they work hard to stretch every penny of their budgets.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54From road maintenance and licensing
0:01:54 > 0:01:56to waste management and pest control,
0:01:56 > 0:01:59these local heroes manage a huge part of our daily lives.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03Pest control? Yes, of course.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05I shall put you through, one moment, thank you.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08When someone calls the council for help in Tameside,
0:02:08 > 0:02:10a borough of Greater Manchester,
0:02:10 > 0:02:14officers are standing by to tackle their problems,
0:02:14 > 0:02:15however big or small.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17If I can go and I know that
0:02:17 > 0:02:19I've done a good job, I'm happy,
0:02:19 > 0:02:22and it doesn't matter whether that's a cockroach job, a rat job,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25a ant job or wasps' nest, it doesn't bother me one bit,
0:02:25 > 0:02:28as long as I know I'll leave that customer happy.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32Today, pest control officer Brian Whelan is tackling a rat job.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38Across the UK, the rat population has surpassed ten million.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42In 2012, this led to a 25% increase
0:02:42 > 0:02:44in calls to pest control teams,
0:02:44 > 0:02:46as rats move from wet rural areas
0:02:46 > 0:02:50in search of warmer spaces with rich food supplies.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55Hairdresser Michael Agnello has a rat infestation in his salon.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58He wants them out before he starts losing custom,
0:02:58 > 0:02:59so has called the council.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01It's not very nice.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04Especially for my clients,
0:03:04 > 0:03:07but I've been dealing with this problem for 12 months now,
0:03:07 > 0:03:08so it needs to be resolved.
0:03:11 > 0:03:12Morning.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14Brian respond's to Michael's call
0:03:14 > 0:03:17by heading straight to the suspected source of the problem,
0:03:17 > 0:03:19the cellar.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22- Is it OK to check downstairs? - It is. Yes.
0:03:23 > 0:03:28As you can see, there's plenty of places for them.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30They've cut through his pipes,
0:03:30 > 0:03:34they've chewed through the plastic and everything, and it's a shame.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37Rats leave a trail of evidence behind them -
0:03:37 > 0:03:39none pleasant to deal with.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42You can smell it dead strong.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46It's like, with a dead one, when there's a dead one,
0:03:46 > 0:03:48you can walk into someone's house and open the door
0:03:48 > 0:03:51and you know they've got one somewhere.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54There's no dead ones yet, at the moment, there's no dead smell,
0:03:54 > 0:03:56it's just got the smell of activity.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03The rancid smell point to rats being present for some time.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09There's the remains of a dead one.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11That's been dead for a few years, that.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13It's not recent.
0:04:13 > 0:04:14Pleasant.
0:04:14 > 0:04:15Lovely(!)
0:04:17 > 0:04:22There's every chance that they're running through,
0:04:22 > 0:04:26because this is all a void, so it's nice for them, it's nice and quiet.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33You see, you got an internal sewer, you've got open pipe here.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36That would be for seepage, of water.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38These are not drains, it's seepage for water.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40But if you think about it,
0:04:40 > 0:04:43it's ideal for rats to get down there and hide,
0:04:43 > 0:04:47if you see the outside there, that goes out, that drainpipe.
0:04:49 > 0:04:50And then again up there.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53So it's all passageways for them, it's ideal.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58Brian conducts a thorough search of the whole premises
0:04:58 > 0:05:01to try and establish where the rodents have reached.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08There's a pipe going through the wall there.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11And it looks quite active.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15So I'll put some bait in that hole.
0:05:17 > 0:05:18I'll put one in the hole,
0:05:18 > 0:05:21and one on the shelf just below it.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27Hairdresser Michael fears rats have accessed
0:05:27 > 0:05:28every nook and cranny of his salon.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30There's droppings up there.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33I put some papers and they actually moved.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37- We can hear sometimes. - Over in that corner?
0:05:37 > 0:05:39In that corner.
0:05:41 > 0:05:42Yeah, you can smell it again.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46It's just that, if you like, uriney smell.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49Despite being filthy pests,
0:05:49 > 0:05:53having rats doesn't necessarily mean your premises are dirty.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Rats will move into anywhere
0:05:55 > 0:05:58with food, water and shelter.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01They're great climbers and often access wall cavities
0:06:01 > 0:06:04and loft spaces in search of warmth and protection.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08With problems on every level of Michael's salon,
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Brian needs to lay a lot of bait
0:06:10 > 0:06:13to rid the premises of rodents before they affect the business.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19Michael also owns a flat above the hairdressers.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21His tenants have repeatedly reported scurrying sounds
0:06:21 > 0:06:23and a rancid smell in their bathroom.
0:06:23 > 0:06:24There's loads of droppings.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26Brian must discover why.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33Jesus!
0:06:36 > 0:06:39They're been doing their business there for a while.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42This hasn't just happened, no way.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44The difference between rat and mouse,
0:06:44 > 0:06:47a mouse is incontinent, as they're running they're dropping.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50With a rat it tends to have an area that they do their business in.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52So you will see a large amount of rat droppings.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57Rat faeces on this scale are a serious concern.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59The infestation must be controlled
0:06:59 > 0:07:01to stop the spread of bacteria infections
0:07:01 > 0:07:06such as listeriosis and murine typhus.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09Brian needs to find the source of the rodents' food fast
0:07:09 > 0:07:10and Michael's got his own theories.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16There's a kebab shop next door, and a Chinese next door to that.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18But I don't want to apportion any blame,
0:07:18 > 0:07:21because at the end of the day it's not fair.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24I want the problem solved, no matter what it takes, to tell you the truth.
0:07:24 > 0:07:30Brian responds to Michael's concerns by taking his investigation outside.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35There is an open drain there. That's ideal for them to come up and out.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38So looking on this, I would presume that
0:07:38 > 0:07:41that used to be an old outside toilet
0:07:41 > 0:07:44when these were houses, years ago.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47Now that hole there goes into the shop,
0:07:47 > 0:07:49where that barbed wire is.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53Obviously you wouldn't see all that, when he's looking round.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57It's a shame, because, I mean, it's a tidy little shop and everything,
0:07:57 > 0:08:00and it's not fair on the guy.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02The rats' easy access into the salon can be fixed,
0:08:02 > 0:08:05but Brian spots a bigger problem -
0:08:05 > 0:08:09a potential food source in the back yards of the takeaways.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12There's fat, so they'll feed off that,
0:08:12 > 0:08:13the drains.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Again, this one,
0:08:16 > 0:08:19that's just full with fat and grease.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21So that's another hotspot here.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25I mean, potato peelings on there, that's not great,
0:08:25 > 0:08:27there's millions of them.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32I don't see the sense in that, that's just feeding them.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34I don't see the sense in it one bit.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38How big does the sign have to be?
0:08:41 > 0:08:44Brian needs to report his findings to his colleagues
0:08:44 > 0:08:47in the Council's environmental health team.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49The food debris, open drains
0:08:49 > 0:08:50and piles of rubbish
0:08:50 > 0:08:53pose a serious risk to public health
0:08:53 > 0:08:56and could be damaging hairdresser Michael's business.
0:08:58 > 0:08:59Still to come...
0:08:59 > 0:09:03Enforcement officers Simon and Bev tackle the food business head-on
0:09:03 > 0:09:06to see if they're contributing to the rat problem.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09It does look like there's some nesting material there.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17The work carried out by all council officers
0:09:17 > 0:09:19is funded by the taxes we pay.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23Council heroes strive to make the best of their budgets
0:09:23 > 0:09:25to improve all aspects of our communities,
0:09:25 > 0:09:27from housing and hygiene to business rates
0:09:27 > 0:09:29and even paying to park your car.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32Every penny that we get from our residents
0:09:32 > 0:09:35goes back into providing services for our residents.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38So I know people don't like it when we put up the parking charges,
0:09:38 > 0:09:41but that actually goes back into services.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43It's not sat in a suitcase under somebody's bed.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Or paying in an offshore account in the Bahamas.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48It's actually going back into services.
0:09:48 > 0:09:49I get a buzz out of what I do,
0:09:49 > 0:09:52I like to help people.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55Overall, we try and help the benefit of the community.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58I live in the community, I work in the community.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02At the end of the day I like to think that I serve the community.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05You'd like to think we're generally liked
0:10:05 > 0:10:07and the people who don't like us,
0:10:07 > 0:10:09there's a reason why they don't like us,
0:10:09 > 0:10:13they've done something that they shouldn't have been doing.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26The UK's local councils are being granted
0:10:26 > 0:10:29increasing levels of autonomy, allowing them to tackle
0:10:29 > 0:10:32the very specific needs of the areas they govern.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34But no matter how diverse their region's make-up
0:10:34 > 0:10:35and residents' requirements,
0:10:35 > 0:10:39there's one issue that tops every council's list of complaints...
0:10:39 > 0:10:41bins.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45I think without exception
0:10:45 > 0:10:47the biggest call we'll get through to the council
0:10:47 > 0:10:49would be about a missed refuse collection service.
0:10:49 > 0:10:55That's no surprise, we collect 45, 50,000 bins every single day.
0:10:55 > 0:11:00If we miss a very small proportion of those and people contact us,
0:11:00 > 0:11:02it's a significant number to deal with.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04Every one of those is important,
0:11:04 > 0:11:06but you can see why the numbers are high.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12In Tameside, bin collections are about to be turned on their heads.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15The council are trialling a new pilot scheme
0:11:15 > 0:11:18aimed at reducing what gets put into landfill.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21One of the most fundamental things we want to do
0:11:21 > 0:11:23is make it easier for people to recycle.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26The more capacity and more bins we can give you for recycling,
0:11:26 > 0:11:28the less waste you will put into landfill.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33In an ideal world, if we had lots of money,
0:11:33 > 0:11:35we'd be buying new, larger recycling bins
0:11:35 > 0:11:36and smaller residual waste bins.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40We haven't got that money, that money isn't around
0:11:40 > 0:11:43and it would be wrong of the council to spend millions swapping bins over
0:11:43 > 0:11:46when we are closing libraries, children's centres,
0:11:46 > 0:11:47all those other services.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49The idea is simple.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51Residents' larger grey bins,
0:11:51 > 0:11:54that they currently use for general rubbish,
0:11:54 > 0:11:56will be used for recycling,
0:11:56 > 0:11:59and the smaller green ones for their residual waste.
0:12:00 > 0:12:01The bin swap is a trial
0:12:01 > 0:12:05to see if residents can be encouraged to recycle more.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07It's not that much effort to do it,
0:12:07 > 0:12:09but people find it sometimes a struggle to do it.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12The team starts by leafleting door-to-door
0:12:12 > 0:12:15to let residents know about the proposed change.
0:12:15 > 0:12:16But as refuse collector Zac knows,
0:12:16 > 0:12:19the public are often unhappy
0:12:19 > 0:12:21with any changes to their collection routine.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Very upset about the bins at the minute.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28There's been that many changes,
0:12:28 > 0:12:31I think it just gets frustrating, they want to get into a set routine.
0:12:31 > 0:12:36And it always gets changed around to try and make the best of recycling.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40But asking residents to embrace the changes isn't going to be easy.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44It's just changing things for the sake of changing.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48As you can see, there's hardly anything in there.
0:12:48 > 0:12:49I've got three kids,
0:12:49 > 0:12:52I can't fit all my two weeks' rubbish in a green bin.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57The council's aim is to save taxpayers' money,
0:12:57 > 0:12:59and swapping bins might be one way to do it.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03Currently Tameside Council is charged up to £300
0:13:03 > 0:13:06for every tonne that goes to landfill,
0:13:06 > 0:13:09so recycling more will save residents
0:13:09 > 0:13:10a considerable amount of cash.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13Times are very hard financially,
0:13:13 > 0:13:17and what we don't want to be doing is putting waste into landfill.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21The figures and the kind of numbers just drive that agenda forward,
0:13:21 > 0:13:24so it is about landfill avoidance, really.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27You might do it from an environmental agenda which is fine,
0:13:27 > 0:13:29if that's what motivates people, that is great,
0:13:29 > 0:13:32but there is also a very strong economic reason for doing it.
0:13:34 > 0:13:35To spread the word
0:13:35 > 0:13:37and get residents onside,
0:13:37 > 0:13:40the council's set up an information point
0:13:40 > 0:13:44where the waste management team can respond to concerns.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47I've got a daughter who's got a child that's 18 months old,
0:13:47 > 0:13:50and a child that's 12 weeks old. That bin in a fortnight
0:13:50 > 0:13:52is going to be full up, probably, with nappies alone.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54Somebody's got something wrong, haven't they?
0:13:54 > 0:13:57The issue is, if we're going to recycle,
0:13:57 > 0:14:00recycle in the most cost-effective way.
0:14:00 > 0:14:01And that isn't, in my view,
0:14:01 > 0:14:04necessarily putting four bins in front of everybody's house.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08By taking all of your rubbish in one or two bins at most,
0:14:08 > 0:14:11and using manpower as opposed to bins,
0:14:11 > 0:14:13one, you ensure that everything goes to a point
0:14:13 > 0:14:16where you can then separate it out, using manual labour.
0:14:16 > 0:14:21I do know that staffing is one of the biggest expenses that we incur,
0:14:21 > 0:14:23and obviously, I'm sure you probably,
0:14:23 > 0:14:26as a local resident, have been aware now,
0:14:26 > 0:14:29council staff generally have just been cut and cut and cut,
0:14:29 > 0:14:31because that's our biggest expense.
0:14:33 > 0:14:34SHE SIGHS
0:14:35 > 0:14:36Next!
0:14:38 > 0:14:39Still to come...
0:14:39 > 0:14:42The black one's the new green one now.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44The bin swap swings into action,
0:14:44 > 0:14:47but tempers flare as residents and council clash.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49What about if I took the nappies out and a bit of cardboard,
0:14:49 > 0:14:52- are you going to empty it or what? - You're not leaving my bin for two weeks!
0:14:52 > 0:14:55- If you go through that... - It's only the top layer here.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02The country's busy council call centres
0:15:02 > 0:15:06are the first point of call for residents looking for help.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09Good morning, Tameside Council, how can I help you?
0:15:09 > 0:15:11Across England and Wales,
0:15:11 > 0:15:15they receive and respond to over 50 million calls a year.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18Let me just check the system. One moment, thank you.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21Council staff here pride themselves on trying to help
0:15:21 > 0:15:22every single caller that rings in.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24Good afternoon, Tameside Council.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26Oh, I love it, I absolutely love my job,
0:15:26 > 0:15:28I can't wait to come in in the morning -
0:15:28 > 0:15:31I'm the first one in, and probably the last one out most days.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Welcome to Tameside Council, Karen speaking, how can I help?
0:15:34 > 0:15:36I remember a gentleman saying to me,
0:15:36 > 0:15:38"I can hear the smile in your voice,"
0:15:38 > 0:15:40and I think if I can portray that over the telephone
0:15:40 > 0:15:42and I can help people, I'm happy with that.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45I take a lot of pride in representing this authority.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47If that was me on the end of the phone,
0:15:47 > 0:15:50the way I deal with people would be the way I got dealt with.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52It's fun, is a fun place to work,
0:15:52 > 0:15:53it even has its lows as well,
0:15:53 > 0:15:56and you can get your argumentative customers,
0:15:56 > 0:15:58that's just part of what we do,
0:15:58 > 0:16:01it's just what we expect, we don't expect anything less.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04I think it would be a pretty boring place if that didn't happen.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06Right, thank you, bye.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22Ready to respond when someone calls the council
0:16:22 > 0:16:24is Britain's army of heroic council officers.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29Amongst their ranks are thousands of staff responsible for
0:16:29 > 0:16:35managing and maintaining 240,000 miles of the UK's roads.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39Doing this cost £2.2 billion in 2012.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47Looking after the nation's roads is an enormous task.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51In Tameside, the job of collating complaints
0:16:51 > 0:16:54and requests for repairs falls to Hannah Clayton.
0:16:54 > 0:16:59We get probably about 50 requests every half an hour, on average.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03Sometimes that can be more, sometimes that can be less.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05The most ridiculous are probably...
0:17:05 > 0:17:10scary trees, that are getting tangled up in telephone wires,
0:17:10 > 0:17:13Scratching rosebushes.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17And we did have one the other week,
0:17:17 > 0:17:21about two bags of human faeces
0:17:21 > 0:17:24being dumped near the canal towpath.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27The department receives hundreds of calls a month
0:17:27 > 0:17:32dealing with issues relating to all public paths and roads,
0:17:32 > 0:17:34but the most common complaint is potholes.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38This is an example of a carriageway defect report that we'd get.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40Large potholes and raised manhole covers,
0:17:40 > 0:17:44forces cars onto the wrong side of the road to avoid,
0:17:44 > 0:17:46so obviously this could be quite dangerous,
0:17:46 > 0:17:48so we'll send this to our risk management team.
0:17:48 > 0:17:53Potholes not only annoy us road users, but in 2012
0:17:53 > 0:17:56cost local councils across Scotland, England and Wales
0:17:56 > 0:18:01£23.6 million in compensation for the damage they caused.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06In a bid to stem the flow of public money from council coffers,
0:18:06 > 0:18:09risk management engineer Steve Wild is hitting the streets.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12I know we've got potholes, but...
0:18:12 > 0:18:14you know, every road's got potholes,
0:18:14 > 0:18:16it's just the nature of the way it is.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19You don't want to be spending money on claims needlessly,
0:18:19 > 0:18:23that money could be spent repairing your footways and carriageways
0:18:23 > 0:18:26and obviously the funding is not great at the moment,
0:18:26 > 0:18:28but we've got to deal with what we've got.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32Today Steve's tackling a street riddled with potholes
0:18:32 > 0:18:36after a resident, who's had enough of bumpy rides,
0:18:36 > 0:18:37called the council to complain.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39It's a really bad road, this.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41It's like a minefield of potholes.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49Steve's inspecting the damaged road ready for his team to respond
0:18:49 > 0:18:51by filling any dangerous holes later today.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55The complaint has come through as being
0:18:55 > 0:18:58the worst section between 8 and 12, so we're at 21.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02I just imagine it's down here where the main complaint has come through,
0:19:02 > 0:19:05but there are certainly a couple of holes there that need filling in.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09Give it another week or two, that could be a really deep pothole,
0:19:09 > 0:19:13somebody could damage their car on it, have a trip or fall.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15We need to repair it.
0:19:15 > 0:19:16While the team is here,
0:19:16 > 0:19:20we might as well start filling these up with bitmac.
0:19:22 > 0:19:23Bitmac's a cheap material
0:19:23 > 0:19:28that's become the council's quick-fix solution to road repairs.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31It's far from ideal for a street with this many potholes.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36It's just horrendous, isn't it? It had its day, this road.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42It seems a waste, spending money on...
0:19:42 > 0:19:43keep constantly repairing it,
0:19:43 > 0:19:45you can see the old repairs here,
0:19:45 > 0:19:47the existing road around it has gone.
0:19:50 > 0:19:51It's bad, this.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56It would be in your tens of thousands
0:19:56 > 0:19:59to actually do a full reconstruction of this road.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03And there isn't the money to spend,
0:20:03 > 0:20:06so we're just having to repair things
0:20:06 > 0:20:09and you're just papering over the cracks, aren't you?
0:20:09 > 0:20:10It upsets me, the fact
0:20:10 > 0:20:12that there isn't the funding maybe to do this road.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17Cos we are going to constantly get complaints about it,
0:20:17 > 0:20:20it's never going to go away until it is,
0:20:20 > 0:20:23but when that will be, I can't tell you.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28There's a massive pothole there, isn't there?
0:20:28 > 0:20:31Steve and the team will try their best to fill the holes,
0:20:31 > 0:20:35but in March 2014 their battle to balance budgets
0:20:35 > 0:20:37received a welcome boost from the government.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39Lose a car down this one.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41Thanks to one of the worst winters on record,
0:20:41 > 0:20:45the UK's councils received an additional £140 million
0:20:45 > 0:20:47to fix the most damaged roads.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58In the UK, it's said we're never more than six feet away from a rat.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01In Tameside, it's pest control officer Brian Whelan's job
0:21:01 > 0:21:04to kept them at bay.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07His latest battle is at an infested hair salon.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09On his last inspection, Brian discovered
0:21:09 > 0:21:12some possible causes for the rat's presence -
0:21:12 > 0:21:17old potato peelings and general waste from nearby takeaways.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19How big does the sign have to be?
0:21:24 > 0:21:27With the waste posing a serious health and safety risk
0:21:27 > 0:21:29by attracting disease-ridden rats,
0:21:29 > 0:21:31Brian has called upon his colleagues
0:21:31 > 0:21:33in the council's environmental team
0:21:33 > 0:21:36to rid the area of their rich food source.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40Officers Bev Hursthouse and Simon Ashton have recently given
0:21:40 > 0:21:43the neighbouring Indian takeaway a clean bill of health,
0:21:43 > 0:21:46so their next task is to investigate the Chinese food outlet.
0:21:46 > 0:21:47DOG BARKS
0:21:50 > 0:21:52Why is that dog sliding off?
0:21:56 > 0:21:58Unique way of using potato peelings.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02As much as we'd try and encourage composting and recycling,
0:22:02 > 0:22:05it is probably not an ideal place to be doing it
0:22:05 > 0:22:08outside a food business, unfortunately.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11That's a first, I've not come across that before.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13Outside a food business.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16Bev and Simon need to check that
0:22:16 > 0:22:19the takeaway's cleaning regime and management of waste
0:22:19 > 0:22:21isn't putting their customers' health at risk
0:22:21 > 0:22:23or encouraging vermin into the business.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25We're from Environmental Health,
0:22:25 > 0:22:27come to do a routine inspection of your shop.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31Today they're carrying out an unannounced inspection of the whole premises.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34Are you aware that we have got a rat problem
0:22:34 > 0:22:38in that area at the back, are you aware of that?
0:22:38 > 0:22:39Yeah.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43They are quite keen on coming and eating your potato peelings.
0:22:43 > 0:22:44Oh, right.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46- I need to really discourage... - OK, OK.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49If you're leaving them out, the rats and mice,
0:22:49 > 0:22:52they just come and take them and obviously it's attracting.
0:22:52 > 0:22:57Most food businesses have a contract with a pest control agency in place.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00This ensures they don't suffer with unwanted vermin,
0:23:00 > 0:23:02but this takeaway doesn't have one,
0:23:02 > 0:23:03so officers must be convinced
0:23:03 > 0:23:06they're carrying out their own thorough checks.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09Evidence of rodent activity could force closure.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12We're looking for any signs of any droppings or anything like that,
0:23:12 > 0:23:15if there is a pest problem, making sure there's no droppings,
0:23:15 > 0:23:16and just looking at general cleanliness.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18Right, OK.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21There's just a bit of cleaning under there, really,
0:23:21 > 0:23:23in the corner, you need to get in there.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29In the storage area Simon spots a potential problem
0:23:29 > 0:23:31and asks Bev for a second opinion.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35Yes. There's definitely...
0:23:35 > 0:23:37definitely some chewed paper and droppings here.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40OK, what it looks like is that
0:23:40 > 0:23:43it does look like there is some nesting material there.
0:23:45 > 0:23:46The problem that we face,
0:23:46 > 0:23:50within the food industry, within the food businesses,
0:23:50 > 0:23:52is the diseases that they can spread,
0:23:52 > 0:23:54they don't come from nice clean places,
0:23:54 > 0:23:57they tend to hide out in the sewers as well.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59So what they're bringing with them is obviously...
0:23:59 > 0:24:01The contamination is there as well.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05This is the worst bit, really, this storage area.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11Before closing this place down the officers must decide
0:24:11 > 0:24:14if the evidence of rats is old or new.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16There's an awful lot of clutter,
0:24:16 > 0:24:18it's just not easy to get to anything, really,
0:24:18 > 0:24:20to monitor any pest issues.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22There's no contract in place here at the moment,
0:24:22 > 0:24:25so they are alleging that they're doing own checks here.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28But, as you can see today, Simon and I are struggling
0:24:28 > 0:24:33to get into the places to do worthwhile checks, really.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37In the food preparation area, they find more evidence.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39A few, but there's not that many.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Look quite old, to be honest, don't they?
0:24:44 > 0:24:46I think the best way to leave it
0:24:46 > 0:24:49would be give them some cleaning instructions.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51And get pest control in, the contractor in.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55Bev and Simon find no fresh evidence of rodent activity
0:24:55 > 0:24:58so decide to throw the owners a lifeline.
0:24:58 > 0:24:59Now what we've seen,
0:24:59 > 0:25:03it looks like they may be some old droppings, OK?
0:25:03 > 0:25:07There's no indicator that there may be some new droppings.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10Once you've cleaned, I think you need to appoint a pest officer
0:25:10 > 0:25:14to come and do them checks for you, and lay some traps down,
0:25:14 > 0:25:16just to see if they have got any activity going on.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19You could make people poorly,
0:25:19 > 0:25:21because you could contaminate their food.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23At the moment it looks like it might be an old problem.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27But we need a proper, professional pest control man
0:25:27 > 0:25:29to come in and check the premises, and put some bait down,
0:25:29 > 0:25:31and make sure there's no activity.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34- OK?- Yeah, sorry.- Sorry.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36Don't be sorry, because it's your business,
0:25:36 > 0:25:39your livelihood, at the end of the day.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43You need to obviously be looking out for yourselves, as well, don't you?
0:25:43 > 0:25:46You need to be keen to get it right.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48Yeah. I'm keen.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50You start cracking the whip.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52Yeah! I clean.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55To ensure their food waste and general hygiene
0:25:55 > 0:25:58isn't contributing to the hairdresser's rat problem next door,
0:25:58 > 0:26:02the officers give them one week to clean up their act.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19When the council make any changes to their services,
0:26:19 > 0:26:22it's local residents that ultimately foot the bill,
0:26:22 > 0:26:25so officers are always keen take on board their thoughts.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29Especially when it comes to a hot topic like recycling.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32From a recycling point of view, I've got four bins,
0:26:32 > 0:26:34which I think is a good thing,
0:26:34 > 0:26:36as long as the stuff IS recycled
0:26:36 > 0:26:38and doesn't just go to landfill
0:26:38 > 0:26:40on the other side of the world somewhere.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43I'm all for recycling, I hate waste.
0:26:43 > 0:26:48But if you're an elderly person, for example,
0:26:48 > 0:26:50or somebody with poor eyesight,
0:26:50 > 0:26:53it's going to be a bit awkward, isn't it,
0:26:53 > 0:26:57if you've got to keep chopping and changing your bins over.
0:26:59 > 0:27:00The recycling process
0:27:00 > 0:27:03is very confusing,
0:27:03 > 0:27:06because you got four bins,
0:27:06 > 0:27:09you've got to have a sheet now
0:27:09 > 0:27:12to tell you which bin goes out on what day.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18It's good for the community, everything is recycled.
0:27:18 > 0:27:23My bin never overflows, I will give them top marks for that.
0:27:32 > 0:27:37All UK councils are on the hunt for smart ways to save taxpayers money.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40In Tameside, they're trialling a pilot scheme
0:27:40 > 0:27:44aimed at reducing the amount of rubbish residents send to landfill.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48So far, the scheme hasn't been met with universal approval.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51That bin, in a fortnight, is going to be full up,
0:27:51 > 0:27:52probably with nappies alone.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54Recycle in the most cost-effective way,
0:27:54 > 0:27:57and that isn't putting four bins in front of everybody's house.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00Somebody's got something wrong, haven't they?
0:28:00 > 0:28:03Residents have been asked to put their recycling
0:28:03 > 0:28:06in the large grey bin that was being used for general waste,
0:28:06 > 0:28:09and put their residual rubbish in the smaller green one.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16Today the council's refuse team are coming face to face
0:28:16 > 0:28:19with the public's reaction to the new regime.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22Just the sticker of the bin, they've pulled it off and put it in the bin.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25They're not bothered. The bin can't be emptied.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29What comes out of the bin in the kitchen,
0:28:29 > 0:28:30the household waste...
0:28:30 > 0:28:33- It goes in your green.- Yeah.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35Plastics, tins,
0:28:35 > 0:28:37go in this one out.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39It's a bin swap.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42- Why have we not been told? - Everybody's been notified,
0:28:42 > 0:28:44we've had a caravan up on Springs Lane
0:28:44 > 0:28:46so everybody can go and ask questions.
0:28:46 > 0:28:47I didn't know that.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49Everybody's had a letter.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52- Everything what's in there, should go in what colour bin?- Green.
0:28:52 > 0:28:53That should all go in the green.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56So if I put that in the green bin, when is that collection?
0:28:56 > 0:28:57When is that collection?
0:28:57 > 0:29:00- It will be a fortnight, now. - Right. All right.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05It needs time for people to get used to the idea.
0:29:05 > 0:29:06People don't like change.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10If every resident had a skip, they'd fill it,
0:29:10 > 0:29:12they'd fill it with everything.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15There wouldn't be enough.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17There'd still be more.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20Sometimes I wonder where they get their rubbish from.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25I feel sorry for the people who have families,
0:29:25 > 0:29:28because the green bin is not big enough.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31If it were as big as the black one it might work,
0:29:31 > 0:29:33other than that, no.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35Rubbish!
0:29:37 > 0:29:40I know it's all part of the job. Used to it now.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45If there's any general waste in the new grey recycling bin
0:29:45 > 0:29:47then the whole lot has to go to landfill,
0:29:47 > 0:29:50defeating the object of the bin swap pilot.
0:29:50 > 0:29:51Can this one go in, Steve?
0:29:51 > 0:29:54Got some plastic and, like, nappies and stuff.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57No, not if there are nappies in it. That's all domestic, that, isn't it?
0:29:57 > 0:30:01The refuse collectors can also refuse to empty it
0:30:01 > 0:30:03on their recycling collection round.
0:30:04 > 0:30:06You don't know anything about the bin swap?
0:30:07 > 0:30:09It starts today.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12So we can't empty that one, it's contaminated.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15It's got cardboard in it, and that?
0:30:17 > 0:30:18It's got nappies in it as well.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20Whose it is, that bin?
0:30:22 > 0:30:24'I think people get really angry'
0:30:24 > 0:30:26and worked up about bins,
0:30:26 > 0:30:31because it's the main thing that people see for the council tax.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34You're emptying everybody else in the street,
0:30:34 > 0:30:37and now my bin is going to be full for two week.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39I've got kids, I've got four kids,
0:30:39 > 0:30:42and I'm not having my bin
0:30:42 > 0:30:44- looking disgusting on the front, full of- BLEEP.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46So for their...
0:30:46 > 0:30:49A lot of money that they fork out - depending on where they live,
0:30:49 > 0:30:50it's a lot of money -
0:30:50 > 0:30:54the very first thing they see is the bin service
0:30:54 > 0:30:57and if we can't get that right, they're angry with it.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59There's going to be thousands of people round here
0:30:59 > 0:31:02what have mistakenly put something wrong in the bin outside.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05All there is in there is a little bit of cardboard and nappies.
0:31:05 > 0:31:09What if I took the nappies and a bit of cardboard, are you going to empty it, or what?
0:31:09 > 0:31:11You're not leaving my bin for two week.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13- If you go through that... - It's only the top layer here.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15No, it's not the top layer.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18- Put them in there. They should be in there.- I'm not digging in it.
0:31:18 > 0:31:19That's your job, innit?
0:31:19 > 0:31:21My job is to dig through bins?
0:31:21 > 0:31:24Why it matters, it's all about landfill.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26Why does it matter? Why does it matter now?
0:31:26 > 0:31:29- Landfill has been around for - BLEEP- 100 years, mate,
0:31:29 > 0:31:31don't start saying we need to start changing it now.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33Cos landfill has been around for years.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35That's what they're saying. This isn't us, this is the council.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38You need to learn your job, bro, you haven't got a clue.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40- Will you empty my bin?- I'm not going to talk to you any more. No.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47It's not very nice, it's not the worst we've had.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52You just take it on your chin,
0:31:52 > 0:31:54I think, fair enough,
0:31:54 > 0:31:55if that's how you want to be.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58- Nothing new, is it? - I am glad I am not like that
0:31:58 > 0:32:00because the last thing I'd be doing
0:32:00 > 0:32:02is going out accusing anybody doing a job,
0:32:02 > 0:32:06cos you're aiming at the wrong people.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09The powers that be decided that no more landfill,
0:32:09 > 0:32:12enough is enough, and we need to recycle.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15We got to do something, we can't ignore it,
0:32:15 > 0:32:18because again, it's all about cutting down
0:32:18 > 0:32:20on the cost of things that go to landfill,
0:32:20 > 0:32:24and again we get money back into the kitty
0:32:24 > 0:32:27for everything that goes to recycling.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29So it should be a win-win situation,
0:32:29 > 0:32:32and I just hope it does work for them.
0:32:34 > 0:32:35Still to come...
0:32:35 > 0:32:38Two months into the pilot, officers are out on the streets
0:32:38 > 0:32:41to see if the scheme is bedding in with residents.
0:32:41 > 0:32:4210 out of 10.
0:32:44 > 0:32:45Just what we like.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58Across the UK, local councils spend an average of £50,000
0:32:58 > 0:33:02repairing every damaged mile of road.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04But our councils' responsibility to us road users
0:33:04 > 0:33:06doesn't stop at repairing them.
0:33:08 > 0:33:09Right, ready to go.
0:33:10 > 0:33:12Whether it's gas repairs,
0:33:12 > 0:33:14works to water mains or electrical maintenance
0:33:14 > 0:33:16they also manage and control the work
0:33:16 > 0:33:19utilities companies do on the road network.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23Today a resident has called the council
0:33:23 > 0:33:26about some gas works that have been completed
0:33:26 > 0:33:28but are still causing congestion.
0:33:28 > 0:33:33Risk management engineer Steve Wild is en route to investigate.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36I've worked for the council for nearly 26 years -
0:33:36 > 0:33:39there's not many roads I don't think I haven't been on to,
0:33:39 > 0:33:43or worked on, or inspected them in some way, shape or form.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46His job is to assess the danger levels
0:33:46 > 0:33:48of the roadworks in question.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50Looking at this job here now,
0:33:50 > 0:33:55this is a National Grid utility job,
0:33:55 > 0:33:59it should have finished yesterday, but it's still here today.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01It's quite a busy road, Acres Lane,
0:34:01 > 0:34:03it's one of our busiest sections of road.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07It's causing a nuisance, it doesn't need to be here.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09It looks like the work is finished,
0:34:09 > 0:34:13or if it hasn't finished they should have been asking for an extension.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16Local authorities give utility companies
0:34:16 > 0:34:19permission to conduct any work on public roads.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22They impose strict time frames on the work
0:34:22 > 0:34:24to reduce traffic congestion.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28Failing to complete the work in the allotted time
0:34:28 > 0:34:31will result in fines of up to £3,000 a day.
0:34:35 > 0:34:36Still warm, actually,
0:34:36 > 0:34:40so they probably have been and reinstated it this morning.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44But there's no reason why that can't be open to the public now.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46And get these off there, minimise traffic congestion
0:34:46 > 0:34:50when it come to the rush-hour tonight.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52There's a reason why they have had to do the work,
0:34:52 > 0:34:54but they've got to keep the time
0:34:54 > 0:34:57when they are occupying our roads to a minimum.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00That's why the fines are in place.
0:35:02 > 0:35:03And Steve's latest troublemakers
0:35:03 > 0:35:08are likely to be receiving a hefty bill for this over-run.
0:35:08 > 0:35:09But further along the street
0:35:09 > 0:35:13there's another set of roadworks that also look to have over-run.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15The council is who receive all the complaints
0:35:15 > 0:35:17regarding things like this,
0:35:17 > 0:35:19and obviously we have to come out
0:35:19 > 0:35:21and proactively deal with stuff like this.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25But obviously you can see it's not Tameside doing the work here,
0:35:25 > 0:35:27it's obviously essential gasworks.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30If any member of the public wanted to ring up,
0:35:30 > 0:35:32all they'd have to do is quote this number,
0:35:32 > 0:35:35and basically we could identify the job immediately.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39It's not too bad now, but come three, four o'clock,
0:35:39 > 0:35:41the rush-hour,
0:35:41 > 0:35:43this street is going to be backed up either side,
0:35:43 > 0:35:46so the fact that this job is here today
0:35:46 > 0:35:50is hindering traffic users for another day,
0:35:50 > 0:35:54which warrants the £3,000 charge they're going to get charged today.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56I should imagine as soon as they receive that in their head office
0:35:56 > 0:35:58they will be out and they will clear this.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01Steve's swift response to dealing with the congestion issue
0:36:01 > 0:36:05will be great news for the residents who called the council.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21Also working hard with residents firmly in their minds
0:36:21 > 0:36:24are the council's environmental health officers.
0:36:24 > 0:36:28They're tackling a rodent problem that's threatening a hairdresser's.
0:36:28 > 0:36:32After food waste was reported behind a neighbouring Chinese takeaway,
0:36:32 > 0:36:35Bev and Simon are back to see if they've cleaned up.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39Hi. Are you OK? You have been cleaning?
0:36:39 > 0:36:42- Cleaning, loads and those of cleaning.- Working hard?- Yeah.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46They start the inspection in the alley
0:36:46 > 0:36:49where the waste was potentially attracting rats.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51Yes. That was the potato peelings, wasn't it?
0:36:51 > 0:36:53So you've covered...
0:36:54 > 0:36:58- OK.- No tatoes in there now.
0:37:00 > 0:37:04- That's much better. - This is no good. Sorry about that.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06With the council's support,
0:37:06 > 0:37:09the owner has been working hard to make improvements,
0:37:09 > 0:37:11but Bev needs the whole street to pull together
0:37:11 > 0:37:14and keep the rats away permanently.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17What we're going to try and do, you see, we've agreed,
0:37:17 > 0:37:20he is going to remove that rubble,
0:37:20 > 0:37:23so if we are all working together
0:37:23 > 0:37:26to try and combat the problem, that is going to be moved.
0:37:26 > 0:37:27- Yes?- OK.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30But has the work continued inside?
0:37:32 > 0:37:36It's much better. Good. Much better.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39But it needs to be continued. You need to carry on cleaning.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45With the immediate risk to public health alleviated,
0:37:45 > 0:37:49the owners have played their part in ridding the area of rats.
0:37:49 > 0:37:50It's looking better.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53What I think we'll do is put the next list in place now,
0:37:53 > 0:37:56and get the next actions done, really.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58But to be fair,
0:37:58 > 0:38:01we urgently requested he got a pest contractor, which he has done,
0:38:01 > 0:38:04we asked him to put in place a safety management system,
0:38:04 > 0:38:06which he's done.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09When you've got a block of shops like that
0:38:09 > 0:38:12and there is a potential problem, sometimes it could be drainage,
0:38:12 > 0:38:14in which case they're all involved.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17Sometimes it is the food businesses, I'm not going to deny that,
0:38:17 > 0:38:19and they are putting the waste out
0:38:19 > 0:38:22and not having it in a container and not doing their bit,
0:38:22 > 0:38:26but in this case I am going to support the food businesses
0:38:26 > 0:38:27and say, no, it wasn't them.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31Point elsewhere.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33All right, we'll speak to you soon.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36- Thank you.- Bye now.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40Because the only evidence of rodents Bev found was old,
0:38:40 > 0:38:43she's now confident the recent infestation
0:38:43 > 0:38:45isn't down to the takeaway.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48She informs her colleague, pest control officer Brian Whelan,
0:38:48 > 0:38:51and now he's revisiting the hair salon
0:38:51 > 0:38:54to see if they've noticed a reduction in rat activity.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57Not there yet. Because I can still smell them.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59With the scent of rats in the air,
0:38:59 > 0:39:03Brian checks to see if any have taken his poisonous bait.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06If the bait is still present, the rats haven't been back to this spot,
0:39:06 > 0:39:09which could mean there are dead ones elsewhere.
0:39:09 > 0:39:13That's still in place, down below.
0:39:13 > 0:39:14Good sign.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21That's not gone this time, thank God.
0:39:21 > 0:39:23I think it's calmed down.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27But I still feel obviously there's a little bit of a rustle downstairs,
0:39:27 > 0:39:31and we are still finding up in the back room,
0:39:31 > 0:39:34there are a few noises, a few scratches.
0:39:34 > 0:39:38Brian suspects the rats are using old pipes to access the building.
0:39:38 > 0:39:42He follows his nose down to the cellar to investigate further.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45A natural smell of a rat, it's hard to explain.
0:39:45 > 0:39:46Dead ones, easy to describe,
0:39:46 > 0:39:49because it's like a mixture between boiled cabbage and a bad gas smell..
0:39:50 > 0:39:53There you go, there's your smell.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55Dead one.
0:39:55 > 0:39:56It stinks.
0:39:57 > 0:40:01I feel sorry for any person who gets a rat or any pest in the house.
0:40:01 > 0:40:02I do feel sorry for them.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05And at the end of the day, that's the reason why they've got me.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11It's great news. The rat population in this business has been reduced,
0:40:11 > 0:40:14and without a food supply from the neighbouring takeaways,
0:40:14 > 0:40:17hairdresser Michael should soon see the end
0:40:17 > 0:40:19to his frustrating infestation.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22Yes, I've got a rat, I'm happy, job's done, I'm pleased.
0:40:22 > 0:40:23Well pleased.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26And over the coming months,
0:40:26 > 0:40:28Brian will keep working with Michael
0:40:28 > 0:40:30to ensure the rats stay well away from his salon.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40Across the borough, the council's bin swap trial
0:40:40 > 0:40:41has been running for two months.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44Today, the bin men are collecting the larger grey bins
0:40:44 > 0:40:48that are now being used for recycled waste.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50The trial hasn't been met by the universal approval
0:40:50 > 0:40:54of its residents, so waste and recycling officer Louise Ashton
0:40:54 > 0:40:58is keen to see whether attitudes have changed on this street.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01Oh, that's a full one. 8 1/2.
0:41:01 > 0:41:03That shouldn't really be in it.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08But the majority...
0:41:08 > 0:41:11You can have a little bit of contamination,
0:41:11 > 0:41:14but if you extrapolate... that's a good word, isn't it?
0:41:14 > 0:41:16..extrapolate it up, across the round,
0:41:16 > 0:41:19you don't want to get up above a couple of percent,
0:41:19 > 0:41:21otherwise we're going to start getting knocked back,
0:41:21 > 0:41:23but I think that would be OK.
0:41:23 > 0:41:25They've made such an effort to fill it,
0:41:25 > 0:41:28that I certainly wouldn't want to be funny about
0:41:28 > 0:41:30a bit of tissue and a biscuit packet.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33The pilot still has several months to run before any decision is made
0:41:33 > 0:41:37about rolling the swap out to all of the borough's residents.
0:41:37 > 0:41:3910 out of 10.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41Just what we like.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43Could do with some gold stickers.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47But it seems despite its shaky start residents could be being won over
0:41:47 > 0:41:50by the persistence of their local council heroes,
0:41:50 > 0:41:53whose aim is to simply save them money.
0:41:53 > 0:41:54What we've got
0:41:54 > 0:41:56right across the four pilot areas
0:41:56 > 0:41:59is a big increase in the recycling rate, a big increase.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01And we've got the corresponding drop
0:42:01 > 0:42:05in the amount of waste that we're sending to landfill.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07The council has only got one pot of money,
0:42:07 > 0:42:09so if we're not spending it on expensive landfill,
0:42:09 > 0:42:12we can potentially spend it on social services
0:42:12 > 0:42:15or other priority services that that community desperately needs,
0:42:15 > 0:42:17so that's where we are at the moment.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22It's been another successful shift for this local council
0:42:22 > 0:42:25and its heroic officers.
0:42:25 > 0:42:27They've bravely tried to help their residents
0:42:27 > 0:42:28reduce, re-use and recycle...
0:42:28 > 0:42:30Someone's had a good weekend.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32..battled to keep the roads pothole-free
0:42:32 > 0:42:34and the traffic flowing....
0:42:34 > 0:42:38There is no reason why that can't be open to the public now.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40..and helped local businesses work together
0:42:40 > 0:42:42to rid their street of rats.
0:42:42 > 0:42:46- That's much better. - This is no good, sorry about that.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49But most importantly, they've worked tirelessly
0:42:49 > 0:42:53to help their residents when they... Called The Council.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56If it is something that potentially could make you poorly
0:42:56 > 0:42:59or could cause you harm or could cause any further harm,
0:42:59 > 0:43:00absolutely get in touch,
0:43:00 > 0:43:04by all means give us a call and we can assist you further.