The Fenlander

Wednesday 8th November 2023

The Fenlander is a regular bulletin from Fenland District Council updating on council news, events and services.

Jobs created and safeguarded thanks to grant awards to eight Fenland businesses

New jobs will be created and others safeguarded thanks to the award of grants totalling £192,788 to eight Fenland businesses.

Fenland District Council's economic growth arm Fenland for Business made the awards following the first round of bids to the UK Shared Prosperity Investment in Business Fund.

The programme has an additional £450k to award to Fenland businesses in the next financial year, with full details coming soon.

It comes after the council, in partnership with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, successfully secured cash from the Government's Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) Shared Prosperity Fund to support businesses to innovate and grow.

Find out more

Suggest sites for air quality testing in Fenland

Fenland residents can get involved in air quality testing in Fenland by suggesting sites that should be monitored.

Fenland District Council undertakes ongoing testing to ensure the air in the district continues to remain compliant with national air quality objectives.

Residents are invited to suggest sites where they feel regular exposure to traffic pollution to help ensure testing is being carried out at the most at-risk areas and any issues are highlighted and can be tackled.

See more: Suggest sites for air quality testing in Fenland

Active Fenland promotes and provides informal and fun sport and physical activity sessions in community settings in Fenland.

Low and no-cost fitness classes include slow football, beginners dancing & circuits and mobility sessions for older people

A new wave of free and low-cost sports and activity sessions are available in Fenland.

Spaces are also still available on free slow-paced football sessions for people who feel they need to lose weight.

A new block of free wellbeing dance and stretch sessions for children are also about to launch in March.

And there are new low-cost mobility pre-fit sessions in Whittlesey for people in later life who have noticed they feel less steady on their feet, are struggling with balance or are worried about falling.

For details of these and other sessions see: Free Fenland fitness classes include beginners dancing and circuits

Living Sport in partnership with Fenland District Council

Fenland District Council is delighted to be working in partnership with Living Sport, to support its Active Fenland team to deliver physical activity interventions within the local community.

As part of the partnership, a member of the Living Sport team is embedded within the Active Fenland Team, which will strengthen its ability to develop further provision across the district where it is needed most.

See more: Living Sport in partnership with Fenland District Council

Graphic for March Christmas Market - Sunday 3rd December, 10am to 3pm

Graphic for Wisbech Christmas Fayre - Sunday 10th December, 10am to 3pm

£2 bus fare cap extended

Fenland residents can continue to pay less to get around by bus as the Government's cap on single bus fares has been extended.

The Government has extended its £2 bus fare cap scheme until December 2024, as part of its ongoing Help for Households campaign to support people with cost-of-living pressures.

See more: £2 bus fare cap extended

Grants of up to £500 for improvements to derelict and vacant sites

Voluntary and community interest or charitable organisations can apply for up to £500 to help improve a derelict or vacant building or site.

'Changing Views Grants' can fund things like decoration, putting up hoarding and grounds maintenance.

See more: Changing Views Grants

Celebration marks culmination of Golden Age 20th anniversary events

Some of the people involved over the years in organising Golden Age events with founder Cllr Mac Cotterell's widow Marjorie (Madge) (front, centre)

Councillors and other key people involved in organising Golden Age events, which offer advice and support to the over 60s, marked 20 years to the month since the events launched.

The Golden Age events have proven a popular part of the Fenland calendar and continue to go strong with the next one planned at March Braza Club 10am-1pm on Monday, December 4.

Earlier this year, many of the partners involved in the Golden Age events marked the 20th anniversary when they got together for a collaboration and planning session for coming events.

Then, on Friday (Nov 3) - 20 years on from the first Golden Age event in November 2003 - others involved in running, building and maintaining the Fenland District Council events came together in the Council Chamber in the council offices at Fenland Hall, March, for tea and cake.

Those in attendance included Marjorie (Madge) Cotterell, former Elm parish councillor and widow of Golden Age founder the late Cllr Mac Cotterell MBE.

See more: Celebration marks culmination of Golden Age 20th anniversary events

Jobs

Our current vacancies include a customer service role and a position for a Community Safety Support Officer.

Could your next career move be with Fenland District Council?

Ask a question

Got a question about our services you'd like to see covered in The Fenlander? Send it to fenlander@fenland.gov.uk

Whittlesey sports court upgrade begins

An overhaul of the sports court on Manor Field, Whittlesey, is due to begin with work on a replacement fence.

Fenland District Council is heading a project to overhaul the court in the grounds of Manor Leisure Centre, Station Road. It will be resurfaced, repainted and marked out to be used as either three tennis courts or two netball courts and lighting improved.

See more: Fence goes up as Whittlesey sports court upgrade begins

Station tea party culminates ten-year anniversary celebrations

Friends of March Railway Station. From left: Dave Storey, Cllr Gary Christy, Max Mobius, Adrian Sutterby.

An organisation which champions the railway line running through the Fens marked the culmination of its 10-year anniversary celebrations this week.

The Hereward Community Rail Partnership (CRP), which helps to promote and develop the Hereward Line and its five stations at Peterborough, Whittlesea, March, Manea and Ely, held an Afternoon Tea Party at March Railway Station on Tuesday (24 October).

The event was an opportunity to look back on a decade of success delivering the Community Rail Development Strategy locally, helping communities to see how their local stations and railway can connect them to people, places and opportunities to flourish.

See more: Station tea party culminates ten-year anniversary celebrations

Business Premises

Starting or expanding your business? Looking for affordable offices or factory units? We can help! Our Business Premises and Industrial Units are ideal for small and start-up businesses.

The Boathouse Business Centre
The Boathouse overlooks the marina in the vibrant market town of Wisbech in Cambridgeshire. It is just a short walk from the town centre and is easily accessible from the A47.
South Fens Business Centre
South Fens is located in the small market town of Chatteris. It is next to the A141 and A142 - offering easy access to Ely, March, Huntingdon, Cambridge and beyond.

Free innovation event for Fenland manufacturing firms

Manufacturing firms in Fenland can sign up for a free event to access expert advice on grants and how to achieve net zero while becoming more efficient, resilient, profitable and competitive.

The Smart Manufacturing Alliance roadshow explains why digitilisation is key to the pathway to net zero.

It will also include information on imminent grants available to businesses to support them to survive and thrive. And includes a complimentary lunch.

See more: Free innovation event for Fenland manufacturing firms

Looking to start, grow or relocate your business? Our Fenland for Business team can offer free and impartial advice.

New bakery trader sought for Whittlesey market

Could you run a bakery stall at Whittlesey Market on Fridays?

A great opportunity to be part of the market is now available, with discounted pitch fees for new traders.

All food traders must have a hygiene rating of 3 or more and have valid market traders' insurance.

For more information on becoming a trader see: Fenland markets page

Next step in developing case for Whittlesey relief road

Long-term plans to tackle transport issues and boost economic growth in Whittlesey have taken a step forward as work begins on evidencing the need for a Whittlesey Southern Relief Road.

Following the establishment of a Whittlesey Relief Road project board earlier this year, consultants Mott MacDonald have been appointed to lead the development of a Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) for a relief road.

See more: Next step in developing case for Whittlesey relief road

Final days to have your say on where you cast your vote in elections

Fenland residents have a few days left to have their say on where they vote in elections by taking part in Fenland District Council's review of polling districts, places and stations.

The public consultation ends on Friday (November 10).

See more: Have your say on where you cast your vote

Remembrance events to go ahead

Remembrance events take place across the district this weekend and March's will go ahead despite the ongoing town centre regeneration works.

The annual Armistice Day Parade and Remembrance Sunday Parade are still taking place but have changed location to enable them to go ahead safely and respectfully.

See more: Remembrance events to go ahead in March

Fens Reservoir update - 'Delivering our shared ambition' document

Anglian Water and Cambridge Water have published a new document 'delivering our shared ambition' providing additional information on how they plan to deliver on the proposed Fens Reservoir.

Anglian Water, working in partnership with Cambridge Water, is proposing a new reservoir in the Fens to secure water supply to customers.

See more: Fens Reservoir update - 'Delivering our shared ambition' document

Still time to apply for funding for Fenland culture and heritage projects

There's still time for individuals and groups to apply for up to £2,000 for culture and heritage projects in Fenland.

Applications must benefit communities or artists in Fenland and must align to at least one of the following outcomes that align to the Fenland Cultural Strategy:

Building New Relationships
Reaching More People
Improving The Quality of Your Work
Supporting Artistic Ambition

The deadline for applications is Monday, November 20.

See more: Fenland Culture Fund

New community pantry launches in Whittlesey

A new community pantry which aims to make a positive impact on the local environment and society has launched in Whittlesey.

The Helping Whittlesey Community Pantry, which officially launched last week, brings volunteers, local businesses and the wider community together to re-distribute food that would otherwise go to waste.

See more: New community pantry launches in Whittlesey

Don’t forget to Do It Online

The quickest and easiest way to apply, report, find or pay via Fenland District Council is usually our website. Available 24 hours a day whenever it’s most convenient for you.

Subscribe to The Fenlander
Subscribe now to make sure you get the latest news and updates from Fenland District Council straight to your inbox.