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Wednesday 14th August 2024
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The Fenlander is a regular bulletin from Fenland District Council updating on council news, events and services. |
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Bin changes, grants and investments in people and places
Image above: Cllr Susan Wallwork, centre, signs the Armed Forces Covenant, with, seated left, Tommy Kelly, covenant partnership coordinator; seated right, district council chairman Cllr Nick Meekins and representatives of the council and Armed Forces Community.
This month's The Fenlander includes the usual diverse mix, with details of upcoming bin collection changes, business grants and investments in people and places across Fenland. We report on the signing of a new covenant in our commitment to the armed forces community as well as investments in preventing crime and anti-social behaviour and life chances for young people. New affordable homes, consultations on our homelessness strategy and proposed new mini sports pitches, also feature. As do details of upcoming events, plus lots more! |
Fenland District Council reconfirms its commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community
Fenland District Council has reconfirmed its commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community with the signing of its own district covenant (photo at top of newsletter). The council has long been committed to being supportive of the Armed Forces Community and by signing its own Armed Forces Covenant, superseding the 2011 Armed Forces Community Covenant, has now developed support and actions that align with all service areas across the council. Full story at: Fenland District Council reconfirms its commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community |
Bin collection changes in Fenland - make sure your bins are out on time!
Fenland residents are being reminded to ensure their bins are presented for collection by 7am to avoid being caught out by some slight collection schedule changes. From the end of August, some residents, who are used to their blue bins being collected later in the day, will see them being collected earlier. Otherwise, things will remain as normal. The bank holiday, on Monday, August 26, will mean the usual change of bin collection days, with usual collection days moving to one day later for a week. Find your bin collection day on our bin collection days page or use the Fenland Bins app. Full story at: Bin collection changes in Fenland |
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Looking to start, grow or relocate your business? Our Fenland for Business team can offer free and impartial advice. |
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Bids invited for March shopfront improvement grants of up to £50,000
Bids are being invited for grants of up to £50,000 for shopfront improvements to businesses in the heart of March town centre. The Shopfront Grant Scheme is part of the £8.4million March Future High Streets town centre regeneration investment. See more: Bids invited for March shopfront improvement grants |
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Active Fenland promotes and provides informal and fun sport and physical activity sessions in community settings in Fenland. |
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Take a look at Active Fenland's free and low-cost exercise and wellbeing programme
New free 'couch to 5k' running programmes are being launched in Fenland as a new swathe of free and low cost exercise and wellbeing sessions is announced by provider Active Fenland. Fenland District Council's Active Fenland offers a programme of free and low-cost sessions, which cater for all ages and abilities. Special family summer holiday classes including free family running and yoga sessions and 'Marvellous Movers Family Sport Activities' continue in the summer holidays. In September, Active Fenland is launching new blocks for adults of kickboxing for wellbeing and wellbeing dance and stretch classes - fun choreographed dance classes. It's also keen to encourage more people to its Wisbech walking football sessions and other long-standing sessions, including everything from multi-sports fun sessions to classes for people with dementia. See more: Free and low cost exercise and wellbeing - August 2024 |
Fenland bids farewell to stalwart Whittlesey councillor
Tribute was paid to leading and long-standing former councillor Kay Mayor who stepped down after serving the local area for 17 years. The former Fenland District Council Chairman resigned from her roles on Fenland District Council and Whittlesey Town Council in June, ahead of the July elections. Full story: Fenland bids farewell to stalwart Whittlesey councillor |
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Extra investment to drive future solutions to crime and anti-social behaviour
Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Darryl Preston has announced new investment plans to step up efforts to tackle local issues such as anti-social behaviour, road safety and fly-tipping in every area of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The PCC has agreed to extend funding for Problem-Solving Co-ordinators in each of the county's six Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs), including Fenland, for a further 12 months until March 2026. See more: Extra investment to drive future solutions to crime and anti-social behaviour |
Council joins Sanctuary to mark new affordable homes in March
National housing provider Sanctuary has delivered 24 much-needed new affordable homes for local people in March. The new Kingswood Park development, in Kingswood Road, features a mixture of two and three-bedroom homes for affordable rent. Sanctuary worked closely with Fenland District Council to ensure the new homes would reflect and enhance the surrounding area, as well as best meeting the established local need for more high-quality affordable housing. See more: Council joins Sanctuary to mark new affordable homes in March |
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Consultations
Have your say to help us improve our services and make more informed decisions. |
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Residents' views sought on council's homelessness strategy
Fenland District Council is developing a new five-year Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy - and would like to hear your views. The comprehensive document, that all councils have and must regularly review, sets out how the council and its partners will continue to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping in the district through to 2029. In 2018/19, the council received 1,856 requests for support, compared to 2093 in 2022/23, an increase of 12.77%. Since 2020, there has also been a 20% increase in requests from family households with children. Full story at: Residents' views sought on council's homelessness strategy |
Help us develop plans and secure funds for new and improved sports pitches
Proposals are being worked up for four small multi-sport pitches in Fenland and we're calling on you to complete a survey to help shape the plans. Fenland District Council is working with the Premier League, The FA and Government's Football Foundation on proposals to improve, or create from scratch, new games areas for multiple sports called Playzones. The council must submit evidence of how the pitches will be used to secure funds from the Football Foundation PlayZones Programme and ensure the right facilities go in the right places. Surveys have been launched to gather information. See more: Help us develop plans and secure funds for new and improved sports pitches |
Projects to create opportunities for young people in Wisbech
Young people have gained new skills and opportunities through a raft of programmes in Wisbech - and a free fun day aims to reach more. Dozens of secondary school age children have had chances to build on and create positive behaviours, hobbies and futures through workshops, regular activities and courses. See more: Projects to create opportunities for young people in Wisbech |
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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. |
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- 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.
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Image above: Whittlesey Festival Poster.
Whittlesey Festival set to bring fun and entertainment
Whittlesey Festival is on Sunday, September 8, 10am to 4pm, in Whittlesey town centre. Live entertainment, art, food, rides, stalls, classic vehicles and a craft fair are among the attractions. Town centre road closures will be in place on the day. Find parking & travel info a: Whittlesey Festival web page |
Funfairs coming to Fenland
Funfairs will arrive in Fenland towns for their regular autumn dates from September. In March, Whittlesey and Wisbech, the fairs will operate as usual from Fenland District Council car parks. See more: Funfairs coming to Fenland |
Mayor's Mini meet at March Market Place
March Market Place will be packed with Mini cars next weekend at an event to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the iconic British motor car. The Mayor of March, Cllr Gary Christy, is holding his 'Mayor's Minis in March Market Place' (MMiMMP) event on Sunday 18 August from 10am to 3pm. Organised in partnership with Cambs Mini Club, the free event will see 25 classic and new Minis on display. See more: Mayor's Mini meet at March Market Place |
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Children learn vital skills at Safety Zone events in Fenland
Image above: Rosie Cooke, from Fenland District Council's Community Safety team, talks to youngsters from Park Lane Primary School in Whittlesey.
Hundreds of primary school children gained crucial safety skills thanks to the latest Safety Zone events to take place across Fenland. More than 670 children enjoyed hands-on activities covering an array of important safety topics when the workshops were hosted at fire stations in March, Whittlesey and Wisbech in May and June. Read more: Children learn vital skills at Safety Zone events in Fenland |
Hereward Community Rail Partnership champions Rail Safety Week
Image above: March Beavers receive goodie bags as part of Rail Safety Week activities with the Hereward Community Rail Partnership
Rail safety was in focus on the Hereward Line between Ely and Peterborough recently, with a series of events taking place during Rail Safety Week. The Hereward Line Community Rail Partnership, which sees Fenland District Council, Greater Anglia, and other partner organisations including East Midlands Railway & LNER, work together to help develop and improve the rail line in line with community needs, held events at March and Peterborough rail stations from 24 to 30 June 2024. Groups of people from FACET, a day care centre for adults with learning disabilities, Brownies, Guides, Beavers and Cubs, were hosted on 'Try A Train' trips to learn about all aspects of rail safety and try a trip by train. Read more: Hereward Community Rail Partnership champions Rail Safety Week |
Zero complaints against district council upheld in five years, ombudsman reports
For the fifth year running the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has confirmed that it hasn't upheld a single complaint against Fenland District Council. The ombudsman has confirmed that it found no fault and upheld none of the complaints it investigated against Fenland District Council in the past year. That compared to an average of 63 per cent 'in similar authorities'. See more: Zero complaints against district council upheld |
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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. |
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