Pest control treatments and cremation services are on the list of Dudley Council offerings scheduled for price increases in 2026. These proposed rises will be discussed by the council’s cabinet during their meeting on January 14, as part of the preparation for the 2026/27 financial year budget.
Most fees across various services are expected to increase by approximately 3.8 percent, aligning with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation figure from September. Lisa Kitto, Dudley’s interim director of finance, emphasized in a report that these annual raises help maintain necessary income streams to support council services while mitigating the need for higher council tax.
Specifically, pest control charges will see notable adjustments. For instance, a single treatment to eliminate bed bugs, cockroaches, or fleas will rise to £171.27, while an initial treatment for wasp nests or a three-visit rodent control service is proposed at £88.23.
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Cremation costs for adults are set to increase from £1,025 to £1,064. Likewise, the fee for scattering ashes on a grave will increase by £3.80, reaching £103.80. Among burial options, the most expensive—a bricked grave—would climb by £104.90 to a total of £2,864.90, pending council approval.
Housing services will face some of the steepest fee hikes. Renters of garages, individuals paying for garden maintenance, and travellers using site fees could see charges rise by nearly 5 percent. Laundry services will experience the highest increase, with a 6.9 percent rise pushing the cost of a wash or dry laundry token to £4.50.
Leisure centre fees will also be adjusted, though more modestly; for example, the annual standard membership fee is projected to go up by 2 percent to £403.90.
Currently, Dudley Council expects to generate £65.5 million from fees and charges for this financial year. The proposed increases would add approximately £2.5 million to this total for the next financial year.
The council will make the final decision on the budget during a full meeting scheduled for February 23.