Fens Reservoir, fly-tipper penalties, business investment & much more...

This month's newsletter is full of the usual diverse range of topics that we are involved in at Fenland District Council.

We have enforcement news relating to fly-tippers being issued with penalties, we celebrate the success of another Fenland Four Seasons event with the delivery of the St George's Festival 2024 and look ahead to the next one - Chatteris Midsummer Festival and see the benefits to businesses of securing grant funding via our Fenland for Business business support service.

We also acknowledge an exhibition of women's art supported by the district council's Fenland Culture Fund.

Our Active Fenland service adds yet more to its programme of free and low cost exercise and wellbeing sessions. And we highlight opportunities for you to get involved in helping to keep your local community looking great through volunteering with Street Pride.

We also feature a public notice updating on The Three Horseshoes Public House in Turves and a new contract to support people to live safely and independently in their own homes.

We've had elections in Fenland and you can find out how to access the results of those along with job opportunities with the district council and chances to have your say on our services and private proposals in the district.

Read on for more details of all of the above....

Fly-tippers hit with penalties totalling more than £3k

Residents and anyone offering trade waste removal are warned that fly-tipping will not be tolerated in Fenland - after fines and penalties totalling more than £3,000 were issued.

Three residents who did not heed advice on how to legally dispose of their household waste were each issued with £400 fixed penalty notices.

Two men were taken to court after failing to pay fixed penalty notices for fly-tipping, resulting in them being ordered to pay larger sums. One of them was ordered to pay more than £1,000.

A rogue trader who was suspected of tipping trade waste also got a £300 fixed penalty notice.

See more: Fly-tippers hit with penalties totalling more than £3k

Chatteris business enters phenomenal growth period with support of Fenland for Business

Image above: Vita-Nova Solutions' director Paul Millard with design director and son Keanu and one of their automation services products.

A "phenomenal growth" period is beginning for a Chatteris family business that credits free business support service Fenland for Business as a key contributor to its success.

Vita-Nova Solutions, which provides wholesale automation services to meet client needs, such as high-functioning food packing robots for production lines, is taking bigger sales orders than ever and expanding its workforce.

It's also in the process of developing a product that director Paul Millard believes to be a global first, with a huge global market, which he expects to bring to market in the next 12 months.

Vita-Nova Solutions, based in Teal Close, has been enjoying support from Fenland for Business for three years and has benefited from advice, signposting and grant funding.

See more: Chatteris business enters phenomenal growth period with support of Fenland for Business

The 16 businesses that got a £5k grant in the first round of Rural England Prosperity Fund awards

Sixteen Fenland businesses were awarded £5,000 each after successfully applying for a Rural England Prosperity Fund grant.

Business expansion, diversification and financial and environmental sustainability projects were among those supported in the first round of grant awards from the Fenland fund.

Many of the projects supported by grants are expected to lead to new jobs. According to estimates in the grant bids, the total number of new jobs could be as high as 28.

Businesses from a Government-specified area encapsulating the majority of Fenland could apply for up to £5,000 under the first round of the programme. Second-round bids for grants of up to £10,000 are now being sifted. Business that put forward an 'expression of interest' will be contacted soon.

See more: The 16 businesses that got a £5k grant from Rural England Prosperity Fund

Vast list of free and low cost activity and wellbeing sessions in Fenland now includes tennis

Adult and children's tennis classes have been added to the list of free and low cost activity and wellbeing sessions on offer in Fenland.  

Sessions available also include walking football, couch to 5k running courses, social tea dances and much more. 

See the latest timetable at: Active Fenland timetable

Give Street Pride a try this May

The longer evenings of May provide the perfect opportunity to get outside and enjoy something new!

Once again, Fenland's Street Pride groups have a wealth of volunteer events planned throughout the month - so why not give one a try? You'll be guaranteed a warm and sunny welcome.

See all the events at: Give Street Pride a try this May

March town filled with St George's Festival fun

Image above: The dragon heads the parade at the St George's Festival 2024 in March town

March town was full of fun for 2024's St George's Festival.

Visitors enjoyed street performers, live entertainment, stalls, amusements, crafts and street food in West End Park, City Road Car Park and in and around March library.

It included a parade filled with elaborate carnival costumes. 

The next Fenland Four Seasons event is Chatteris Midsummer Festival on Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23.

See more:

• March town filled with St George's Festival fun
• Chatteris Midsummer Festival in June

Public notice: The Three Horseshoes Public House in Turves

Fenland District Council in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 has given notice that the owner of The Three Horseshoes Public House in Turves which is listed as an Asset of Community Value on the list of such assets maintained by the Council, has provided notification of an intention to dispose of the asset.

By providing this notification the relevant legislation provides that an interim moratorium period, which expires on the 10th June 2024, is triggered. During this period a community interest group may request in writing (in the format specified by the relevant legislation) to be treated as a potential bidder for the asset.

Full notice: The Three Horseshoes Public House in Turves

Further consultation on Fens Reservoir plan


Image above: Fenland reservoir artist impression of how it could look

An artists' impression of the proposed new Fens Reservoir has been released and a new phase of consultation is being launched.

Anglian Water and Cambridge Water are proposing a new reservoir north of Chatteris, near Doddington and Wimblington.

Anglian Water and Cambridge Water have announced 'Phase Two' consultation starts on Thursday, May 30.

See more: Further consultation on Fens Reservoir plan

'Why do we celebrate women's art?' exhibition is open

More than 50 works of art are on display in Wisbech, as part of an exciting new art exhibition part funded by Fenland District Council's Fenland Culture Fund.

The exhibition, 'Why do we celebrate women's art?', is open 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday, until Saturday, May 18. 

See more: Launch of 'Why do we celebrate women's art?' exhibition

Elections results

An election for Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner and two by-elections for Whittlesey Town Council were held on May 2.

Results at: Election Results

Council partners with new HIA to enhance support for vulnerable residents 

Fenland District Council has partnered with a new home improvement agency to boost services aimed at helping residents continue to live safely and independently in their homes.

Under the new contract, effective from 1 April 2024 and spanning three years, East Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency (East Cambs HIA) will help people across Fenland to adapt, repair and maintain their homes to meet their changing needs.

Discover more at: Council partners with new HIA to enhance support for vulnerable residents