Wednesday 13th March 2024

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

Millions of pounds of investment on its way for Wisbech, snooker star launches business and policy changes to ease homelessness...

...These are just a few of the things going on in Fenland this month - another busy one for the district.

The district council is continuing to fight plans for an incinerator in Wisbech after the Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero granted it permission.

News also came in this month that Wisbech is to get Government investment of up to £20 million.

In Chatteris, snooker star Joe Perry launched a new pool and snooker club, a project that received the backing of the council's free advice and support service Fenland for Business.

District-wide businesses have until the beginning of April to apply for a similar grant to the one Joe's business received. Residents and businesses also have opportunities related to the drive to make homes greener.

In March, progress continues on the town centre regeneration. Preparations are also well under way for the annual St George's Festival. Before the main event on Sunday, April 21, there are free fun and creative workshops on offer and a dragon themed escape room.

Across Fenland, there are more free and low-cost exercise and activity sessions with the council's Active Fenland.

The council's housing team is urging residents across the district to get in touch if they are worried about not being able to stay in their current home and fear not being able to find an alternative. The council is increasing Council Tax costs to owners of empty and second homes to help increase the supply of housing for residents and improve local communities.

Tonight (Weds, March 13), sees the 16th Pride in Fenland awards where people of courage and community dedication will be honoured - we'll report on the winners in next month's The Fenlander. You can visit the news pages on our website or social media to find out sooner.

And if you want to take inspiration from our Pride in Fenland community heroes, how about getting involved with your local clean-up and environmental project focused Street Pride team? There are events happening throughout the month.

Keep reading for more details on all of the above and more! And don't forget there are upcoming elections in Fenland and you'll need photo ID to vote at a polling station.

Council seeks legal advice on fighting the decision to allow Wisbech incinerator

Fenland District Council voted unanimously to seek legal advice on a potential challenge to the Secretary of State's decision to allow Wisbech incinerator to be built.

The council will seek legal advice on whether there are grounds for a judicial review to be sought to overturn the decision, and the likelihood that a judicial review would be successful.

Read more at: Council seeks legal advice on fighting the decision to allow Wisbech incinerator

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

Sign up today for the next free Fenland tea dance or an exercise and activity session

Some of the 30 people who went along to Chatteris tea dance group. Front, Dee and Paul Waring.

Dance novices came together with long-time and still-learning dancers to enjoy the first in a series of tea dances in Fenland, which are part of a diverse programme of free exercise and activity classes in Fenland to aid better health.

Thirty people took part in the Chatteris tea dance event and anyone with an interest in 'following their lead' can go along to the next event in Wisbech on Friday (March 15).

The tea dances are offered by Fenland District Council's Active Fenland, which secures grant funding to provide opportunities for people to live more active lives.

Discover the activities on offer: Sign up today for the next free Fenland tea dance or an exercise and activity session

See more photos from the Chatteris event on our Facebook page

Free fun at screen printing, shadow puppetry and costume workshops AND an escape room ahead of parade

Adults, children and groups can enjoy free fun at screen printing, shadow puppetry and costume workshops ahead of this year's Fenland St George's Festival - and take their chance to be in the parade.

Dates have been set for sign-up and drop-in sessions and, in addition, groups - anything from scouts and cadets to retirement groups and Women's Institute - can request a no-cost session delivered specifically to them.

A Dungeons and Dragons escape rooms event is on Monday, April 8, at March Community Centre.

Find all the details and sign up at: Free St George's Festival fun

Jobs
Our current vacancies include workshop technician, finance officer and graduate surveyor.

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

Wisbech to get investment of up to £20m

Wisbech has been named among 20 towns to receive up to £20million of Government funding for investments over the next ten years.

The funding was announced in Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's budget on Wednesday (March 6) and confirmed by Minister for Levelling Up Jacob Young.

Fenland District Council leader Cllr Chris Boden said: "On the face of it this is obviously very welcome news for Fenland and Wisbech.

"We are look forward to analysing the detail of the offer and specifics of how this money can be used to benefit Wisbech, its people and businesses.

"Wisbech is a wonderful town, with rich heritage, strong community and lots of potential. We hope this will prove a valuable investment to help hone and release that potential."

Discover more: Wisbech to get investment of up to £20m

Council tax measure ramped up to help tackle long-term empty homes in Fenland

The council is increasing Council Tax costs to owners of empty and second homes to help increase the supply of housing for residents and improve local communities.

Cllr Samantha Hoy, Fenland District Council's Cabinet member for Housing, said: "The housing crisis has become a significant challenge across UK, affecting communities and individuals alike. Limited housing availability, soaring property prices, and escalating rental costs have left many residents struggling to find suitable accommodation.

"Long-term empty homes represent a significant, untapped resource that can play a crucial role in addressing the housing shortage, which is why we're committed to bringing them back into use. The longer properties remain out of use, the more they also become a blight on our communities and become a focus of nuisance and criminal activity.

"Charging a council tax premium encourages owners to bring their much-needed properties back into use so they are not left empty for years on end. The Council also works closely with owners, landlords and the local community to identify other properties, and offer a range of support and guidance to give such properties a new lease of life."

See more: Council tax measure ramped up to help tackle long-term empty homes in Fenland

Council urges the rising number of people in Fenland facing homelessness to seek help early

Anyone in Fenland who is worried they may face homelessness is urged to contact the district council for help.

The number of people facing homelessness continues to increase year-on-year and the council is keen to offer early support to help people before they reach crisis point.

Discover more: Council urges the rising number of people in Fenland facing homelessness to seek help early

Toilet block demolition signifies next step in March town centre regeneration

The transformation of March town centre took another step forward with the demolition of the existing toilet block.

The demolition is a key part of the overall town centre regeneration plans as it will allow the riverside to be opened-up and enhanced, complimenting the new Broad Street layout with a new town centre feature for people to enjoy.

Read more: Toilet block demolition signifies next step in March town centre regeneration

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

Council support for snooker pro's new club in Chatteris

Professional snooker player Joe Perry has realised a long-held dream to open a pool and snooker hall in his hometown of Chatteris.

Joe and his partner Penny Richardson, who live in the town, have invested upwards of £150,000 in the project to transform the former Turkish restaurant in Market Hill.

The project, which has been more financially testing than expected due to extensive internal works necessary to bring the building up to modern standards, including a full rewire, won the support of a £5k Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) grant, administered by Fenland for Business.

Full story at: Council support for snooker pro's new club in Chatteris

Professional snooker player Joe and his partner Penny Richardson on the opening day of Joe Perry’s Snooker and Pool Palace, in Chatteris.

Apply now for £10k to help your business

If you're investing in your business whether it be in farm diversification, a building project, new piece of equipment or in many other ways - you could get a £10,000 easy-to-access government grant.

Businesses in most of Fenland can apply for a Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) grant of up to £10,000 to invest in capital investment projects.

The grants are being delivered by Fenland District Council's economic growth team Fenland for Business thanks to funding awarded to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority by the Government's Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Businesses also now have more time to put themselves forward for two other Shared Prosperity Fund-backed grants programmes. Investment in Business grants, offering grants up to £25,000, and Fenland Start-Up Business Support Programme, with grants of up to £10,000 for new businesses, are open for expressions of interest until April 6 too.

Find out more and apply: Apply now for £10k to help your business

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.

New recruits needed to meet green homes capacity challenge

Fenland residents and businesses are being urged to discover the opportunities available to them created by the drive to make homes greener.

Rising energy costs, government schemes, the push to cut emissions and the adoption of a new, toughened standard for retrofitting homes are all driving the demand for more qualified professionals to get into low carbon construction.

Fenland District Council and its partners want to raise awareness of the retrofit training and upskilling opportunities available to residents and businesses in the area.

For more information see: New recruits needed to meet green homes capacity challenge

Elections in Fenland

An election will be held tomorrow (Thursday, March 14) to fill the vacancy in the Slade Lode South Ward of Chatteris Town Council following the resignation of Councillor Alice Keating.

On Thursday, May 2, an election will be held for the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for the Cambridgeshire Police area.

You'll need photo ID to vote at a polling station.

Find out more:

Consultations

Have your say to help us improve our services and make more informed decisions.

Upcoming Events

Find out more about upcoming events and activities across Fenland.

Funfairs in Fenland - and Whittlesey Market makes temporary move

Funfairs are in March and Whittlesey this month.

Fair operators will occupy City Road car and lorry parks, in March, until Sunday, March 24. There's no parking available for motorists and lorries there until then.

Fair operators' residential trailers will occupy Grosvenor Road Car Park North, in Whittlesey, Wednesday, March 20, to Monday, March 25.

Whittlesey Market will operate from Station Road car park on Friday, March 22. Station Road car park will not be available to motorists for parking on that day.

For more, see: Funfair information

Help give Fenland a spring clean this March

Community litter picks organised as part of a national clean-up campaign are among the events being held by Fenland's amazing Street Pride groups throughout March.

Street Pride volunteers will be getting their litter pickers at the ready when Keep Britain Tidy's annual Great British Spring Clean swings into action from Friday, March 15 to Sunday, March 31.

There's also a host of other meetings, events and work parties being held by volunteers across the district - and everyone is invited to get involved.

See how to get involved at:

Latest Meet the Manager event provides open platform to discuss all things rail

Rail passengers and Manea villagers will have a unique opportunity to voice questions and suggestions to railway managers at an event in the village tomorrow Thursday, March 14.

The Hereward Community Rail Partnership (CRP), which champions the Hereward Line and its stations at Peterborough, Whittlesea, March, Manea and Ely, is holding its latest 'Meet the Manager' event.

For the first time, CRP representatives and managers from Greater Anglia and East Midlands Railway will be staging the event across two locations to meet as many people as possible:

Manea Village Hall - 2.30pm to 4pm
Manea Railway Station - 4.15pm to 6pm

Discover more: Meet the Manager event

Dog owners urged to be extra responsible as many usual walking routes under water

Dog owners are having to use busier routes for their usual walks while parts of Fenland remain waterlogged - and they're being urged to be extra careful to control their pets and be responsible.

Fenland District Council's Street Scene team has been patrolling streets to encourage responsible ownership, however increased issues are being noted in some areas.

In partnership with Whittlesey Town Council, new litter bins that dog waste can be deposited in are being bought for Stonald Road. One was installed at the junction of Crossway Hands last week (Friday, March 1).

Cllr Dee Laws, Fenland District Council cabinet member and Whittlesey North West ward representative, said: "Whittlesey is one area I personally have noted issues. Dog walkers don't have access to the fields and walks they'd usually use and as a result are having to walk their pets on streets busy with people and runners.

"We know the majority of owners are responsible, but just want to remind people to keep their dogs controlled on leads and to pick up after them. We hope the new bins will help."

Continue reading at: Dog owners urged to be extra responsible as many usual walking routes under water

Apprentice award for Fenland District Council's Ross

Business disciplines (HR & Management) Apprentice of the Year 2024 Fenland District Council’s Ross Potter with Mark Robertson Cambridge Regional College (CRC) principal.

A Fenland District Council HR administration apprentice who is 'always ready to take on a new challenge' has been recognised at regional awards.

Ross Potter was named Business Disciplines (HR & Management) Apprentice of the Year 2024 award at the Cambridge Regional College Apprenticeship Awards.

See more: Apprentice award for Fenland District Council's Ross

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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.

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