North Lanarkshire Council announced last week that it will be scrapping pest control charges.
The move is because a number of towns and villages are suffering from infestations.
The village of Newmains has experienced rat problems for more than a year, with residents campaigning for the removal of the £49.15 cost for pest control charges.
But with the announcement taking place so close to this week's council by-election, some locals consider the move to be a political stunt.
Pamela Hart told Lanarkshire Live: "A lot of us in Newmains see this as a political stunt from North Lanarkshire Council.
"We have been fighting with the Labour administration for so long now to have these charges removed, and now that there is a by-election coming up they decide to finally do it?
"I don't believe it."
SNP councillor Cameron McManus feels the same.
He said: "“The removal of charges is long over due and only coming in to place thanks to the hard work of the North Lanarkshire SNP group, the late Councillor McKendrick and in particular the residents of Murdostoun.
"It is a step in the right direction but this alone will not alleviate the wider issue in my ward and across North Lanarkshire Council.
"This issue has gotten so bad due to Labours changes and cuts in the waste disposal and pest control over the last five years from uplift changes, going from six to one pest control officers to the three-week bin schedule.
“Unfortunately this decision has only now been made due to the upcoming Murdostoun by-election and the council elections next year, the people experiencing this horrid issue will remember this.”
Labour councillor Louise Roarty responded: “Rat and mice sightings have become more common in communities across North Lanarkshire during Covid.
“Nicky Shevlin and I have been working with council officers to alleviate this problem rather than indulging in cheap political games on social media.
"As a result, I’m delighted that our administration is bringing forward a commitment to abolish all charges for rat and mice control for the next 12 months.
“It has been a tough year for everyone and our focus has rightly been on building our recovery from the pandemic. But it’s vital that we continue to do the day job too.
“I’m confident that this announcement shows that our Labour administration is continuing to listen to the concerns of residents in North Lanarkshire. I’ll continue to focus on action, not words - unlike some of our political opponents.”
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