The budget for tackling the city’s gull problem will be slashed by half next year.

Worcester City Council has revealed it is planning to spend £35,000 on gull control in the next 12 months because of its financial problems – half of what was spent this year.

Councillors agreed to double the budget to £70,000 for the last 12 months but with funds tight, the council said it will be returning to its ‘base’ £35,000 budget next year.

Cllr Alan Amos said the move was “scandalous” and showed the city council was not taking the problem seriously.

“This council has no commitment whatsoever to the eradication of gulls in the city. They clearly think the noise, the nuisance and the disturbance from these gulls are far more important than the people they affect.

“People are woken up early from screeching, cars and houses are covered in mess and they are a danger. We have more than ever before and they are not coming and going, they are staying here permanently. It’s an endemic problem made worse by inaction.

“The problem is going to get out of control.”

The council also spent £75,000 in 2022 – after an extra £40,000 was agreed to be handed over during budget setting.

The worst affected areas have been The Tything, the High Street, Copenhagen Street and Fish Street in the city centre as well as areas in Diglis and Lower Wick.

The council said it removed 137 nests, 255 eggs and 17 chicks this year – compared to 136 nests, 242 eggs and 6 chicks in 2022.

The council has tried several methods over the years – including swapping real eggs with dummy eggs, helping businesses to ‘gull-proof’ roofs and chimneys using a cherry picker as well as removing nests, eggs and chicks.

The council has also used a hawk to deter gulls from loitering in Cathedral Square and other parts of the city centre.

To be able to remove nests, eggs and chicks, the council has to apply for a licence from Natural England – as all wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The city council’s environment committee will also be discussing plans to spend £4,700 on another ‘gull population survey’ to find out how many gulls are in the city – information that can be used for comparisons with previous years and as evidence in applying for a licence from Natural England.

The environment committee meets from 7pm in the Guildhall on November 7.