More than £34,000 awarded to arts, culture and heritage organisations 

Call for change on critical drainage funding that is 'crippling' council budgets

The Government has been urged to reform funding for the crucial work of drainage boards, which is "crippling" the budgets of a small number of councils.

In 2024/25, Fenland District Council is expecting to pay Internal Drainage Board levies of more than £2 million - representing 26.5% of its estimated council tax income. Internal Drainage Boards manage water levels and flood risk.

The Government has announced it will provide some help with paying the levies, totalling £3million nationally. The exact amount Fenland will receive is yet to be confirmed, but last year, a similar help scheme led to Fenland getting £177,280. 

Members of the Local Government Association Special Interest Group for Internal Drainage Board Levies, of which Fenland District Council is one, have stressed the urgent need for funding reform to Government Ministers and MPs at a Parliamentary event.

See more: 

• Call for change on critical drainage funding
• £3 million to support local authorities struggling with Internal Drainage Board levies

More support for rough sleepers through council's extended cold weather provision

Fenland's homelessness teams have been able to offer even greater support to anyone rough sleeping this winter after Fenland District Council expanded its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP).

SWEP is a humanitarian response that requires local authorities to provide emergency accommodation to anyone experiencing rough sleeping during severe weather - including people who have no right to claim benefits or housing in the UK or who have refused offers of accommodation and support.

Most councils activate the emergency protocol when temperatures are forecast to be zero degrees or lower for three consecutive nights.

But this winter, Fenland District Council has triggered its SWEP when there has been sub-zero "feels-like" temperatures due to high winds as well as 'actual' temperatures, and warmer nights during prolonged freezing spells.

See more: More support for rough sleepers through council's extended cold weather provision

Business owner or planning a start-up? Time is running out to bid for grants of up to £25k.

Fenland businesses have until the end of the month to complete a simple expression of interest form to put themselves in with a chance of getting a grant of up to £25k.

New businesses can get grants of up to £10k as well as a range of free services to support every stage of their business journey via the Fenland Start-Up Business Support Programme. 

The Fenland Start-Up Business Support Programme provides support and grant funding to people with a business idea or a business that has been trading for less than a year.

See more: Fenland businesses have until the end of February to apply for grants of up to £25k

Two bin lorries worth of waste cleared from a layby and embankment

An embankment and layby in Friday Bridge that saw almost 40 incidents of fly-tipping in nine months has been cleaned up and preventative measures put in place to deter offenders.

Fenland District Council cleared 22 tonnes of waste from Coldham Bank - the equivalent of almost two full district council refuse vehicles.

See more: Two bin lorries worth of waste cleared from a layby and embankment

Three people fined after using rogue traders to tip their rubbish

Three Fenland residents have each been given £400 penalties after paying bogus traders to take away rubbish that was later found illegally dumped.

The three each failed in their duty of care to carry out proper checks on the people they employed to ensure their waste was properly disposed of.

A Fenland councillor has warned householders they must understand and carry out their responsibilities regarding disposing of rubbish.

See more: Three people fined after using rogue traders to tip their rubbish

Over 60s can discover free support and services available to them at event in Parson Drove

People over 60, or those interested in services and support for over 60s, can attend the first Mac's Golden Age fair of 2024 - a free, friendly information event with refreshments included.

The event in Parson Drove on Friday, February 16, will see representatives from around 20 service providers staffing stalls offering information about what they offer to over 60s.

That may include information on independent living support, help with bills and benefits, accessible and free exercise classes, carers' support, personal safety and security equipment as well as learning, social and volunteering opportunities.

The Parson Drove event is on Friday, February 16, 10am to 12.30pm at Parson Drove Village Hall, Main Road, PE13 4LA.

Find more details including some of the organisations that'll be attending: Over 60s can discover free support and services available to them at event in Parson Drove 

Join Street Pride and make a difference in Fenland

Passionate about driving positive change? Want to help make your community cleaner and greener? Join the Street Pride movement this February!

From community litter picks to engaging environmental projects such as tree and bulb planting, there are ample opportunities to make a difference with volunteer events taking place across the district throughout the month.

Discover events in your area: February Street Pride events

'Help us keep Leverington beautiful' urges local Street Pride group

All our Fenland Street Pride groups are keen to embrace new volunteers, but Leverington Street Pride Group has put a particular call out due to dwindling numbers.

The group, which organises litter picks and various environmental enhancement projects in the village, has been a key part of the community for more than a decade. Now, its chairman and vice chairman have both made the tough decision to step down and the group needs support.

An Annual General Meeting is being held at St Leonard's Church on Saturday (February 17) at 10am, where a new chairman and vice chairman will be elected, and new volunteers warmly welcomed.

See more: 'Help us keep Leverington beautiful' urges local Street Pride group

Adults' dodgeball, a tea dance and family event among free Fenland activity sessions in February

Dodgeball for adults, a tea dance with refreshments and dance tuition and a festival of stories event for families with young children are among the free things on offer within the district in February.

New dodgeball, walking basketball and beginners' circuits-based fitness sessions are on offer in Wisbech to people aged 18 and over. Beginners' circuits sessions are also taking place in March and Chatteris. 

Dates have also been confirmed for no-cost tea dances across the district with free entry and refreshments, and a half-an-hour beginners dance tutorial before the main all-ability event.

In addition, there is to be a free story walk in West End Park, March, for families with young children.

The sessions are all part of the programme offered and supported by Fenland District Council's Active Fenland, which secures grant funding to provide opportunities for people to live more active lives.

The full programme includes wellbeing walks, classes for older people who are losing confidence in their strength and balance, dementia friendly classes and much more. Activities are offered in Chatteris, March, Whittlesey, Wisbech, Christchurch, Doddington, Estree and Parson Drove.

See everything on offer: Adults' dodgeball, a tea dance and family event among free Fenland activity sessions in February

National Grid launches consultation on plans for new power line running through Fenland

Fenland District Council wants to make residents aware of a new consultation launched by National Grid on its plans for a new overhead power line and pylons that pass through the Fens, and substation on the district boundary.

National Grid is inviting communities to share their views on proposals for a 140km long, high voltage electricity line from Grimsby to Walpole.

See more: National Grid launches consultation on plans for new power line running through Fenland

Fenland railway station celebrates official opening of free car park, amid record passenger numbers

 
A free passenger car park has been officially opened at Manea Railway Station, as rail journeys from the station increase to over 21,000 a year for the first time. See more: Fenland railway station celebrates official opening of free car park, amid record passenger numbers

New community pavilion set to enhance Wisbech Park

Wisbech Park is poised to become an even more vibrant and welcoming community space with the completion of a state-of-the-art community pavilion.

See more: New community pavilion set to enhance Wisbech Park

Fenland council maintains strong objection to Wisbech incinerator

Fenland District Council has maintained its strong objection to the proposed Wisbech incinerator after the Secretary of State deciding the plan asked for an updated position on a specific aspect.

See more: Fenland council maintains strong objection to Wisbech incinerator

Funfairs coming to Wisbech, March and Whittlesey

Funfairs are due to arrive in Wisbech, March and Whittlesey over the next six weeks.

It means some Fenland District Council car parks are not available to motorists for limited periods.

Find details at: Funfairs coming to Wisbech, March and Whittlesey