Court action, community funds and events, consultations and lots more - February 2025 in Fenland

This month's The Fenlander is packed with updates that demonstrate the breadth of work covered by Fenland District Council, encompassing everything from court action to community events.

In this edition you'll find updates on:

• Persistent beggar given jail sentence 
• Conviction for woman whose rubbish was dumped in the countryside
• Council adds pressure to complete work on private property in Wisbech Market Place
• Businesses, get ready for new food waste rules! Coming, March 31.
• Volunteers wanted to support programme of free and low-cost social and fitness sessions for all in Fenland
• Fenland leisure centres welcome energy upgrade
• Community groups invited to apply for funds for environmental projects
• Come and see us if you have concerns about community safety
• New home for Wisbech funfair confirmed following consultation
• Funfairs coming to Fenland - Spring 2025
• Team Cambridgeshire and Peterborough champions UK economic growth at the House of Commons
• New scheme supports employers to retain staff and reduce sickness absence
• Get a reusable period product at a discounted rate
• Consultation launched on Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report
• Several job opportunities with Fenland District Council

Persistent beggar given jail sentence after breaching anti-social behaviour injunction

Fenland District Council has thanked the community for its support in tackling anti-social behaviour, after securing a prison sentence against a Wisbech man who repeatedly harassed and caused distress to others.

The council had previously secured an Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction against Michael Bloy as a result of multiple complaints about his aggressive behaviour.

See more: Persistent beggar given jail sentence after breaching anti-social behaviour injunction

Conviction for woman whose rubbish was dumped in the countryside

A householder who employed someone to get rid of rubbish for her which was later found dumped in rural Fenland has been given a court conviction and ordered to pay costs.

And Fenland District Council has warned other residents and business owners not to make the same mistake.

Cllr Peter Murphy, Fenland District Council's portfolio holder for refuse and cleansing, said: "People must be aware that they can't just hand rubbish to anyone to get rid of without questioning what they're going to do with it.

"Your waste is your responsibility, and you must make basic checks on the legitimacy of waste operators because if your rubbish is illegally dumped and we trace it back to you, you'll be liable for a penalty too."

See more: Conviction for woman whose rubbish was dumped in the countryside

Council adds pressure to complete work on private property in Wisbech Market Place

Members of the public and local councillors have expressed frustration with the slow pace of work on privately owned historic buildings in Wisbech Market Place.

The council is working closely with property owners to drive improvements to buildings that have legal protection due to their special architectural or historic interest.

While the Council has very limited power to intervene, where private property is concerned, all avenues are being considered.

See more: Council adds pressure to complete work on private property in Wisbech Market Place

Businesses, get ready for new food waste rules! Coming, March 31.

New workplace recycling legislation comes into effect from March 31 this year changing how businesses manage their recycling and food waste.

Under the government’s Simpler Recycling legislation, businesses with 10 or more employees will need to separate their dry recycling and food waste from their general waste – and ensure it’s collected by an approved waste contractor. The goal? To reduce the environmental impact of the commercial sector and promote more sustainable waste management.

Small businesses with fewer than 10 employees have a little longer to get ready and have until March 31, 2027, to comply with this legislation.

If you run a business, now is a great time to check your current waste disposal and ensure you’ll be compliant.

Fenland District Council can offer, at competitive rates, the separate collection of dry recycling, food waste and general waste.

To find out more, get it touch on contact us or visit our trade waste web page. 

For more information on the legislation, visit the government website: Simpler recycling: workplace recycling in England 

Waste charity WRAP also offer advice: Wrap web page: The Business of Recycling

Volunteers wanted to support programme of free and low-cost social and fitness sessions for all in Fenland

Volunteers are being sought to help lead a new free sports reminiscence-based group for older people - the latest addition to a programme of free and low-cost social and fitness classes for all in Fenland.

A specialist exercise group for people with diabetes has also been added to Fenland District Council's Active Fenland programme, which includes everything from kickboxing to dementia-friendly seated exercise.

Active Fenland secures grant funding to provide opportunities for people to live more active lives, especially where they might face additional barriers to do so. 

Activities are offered at venues across the district. 

See the full programme and find out more: Volunteers wanted to support programme of free and low-cost social and fitness sessions for all in Fenland

Fenland leisure centres welcome energy upgrade

Fenland District Council has invested £114,300 in energy efficiency improvements at three Fenland leisure centres, as part of an ongoing programme of upgrades.

Outdated and inefficient boilers at the George Campbell Leisure Centre in March, Manor Leisure Centre in Whittlesey and the Hudson Leisure Centre in Wisbech have been replaced with powerful, low NOx boilers.

See more: Fenland leisure centres welcome energy upgrade

Community groups invited to apply for funds for environmental projects

Community groups are invited to apply for funds to support environmental projects.

Deadlines are approaching for the latest round of invited bids to Ransonmoor Community Fund and Glassmoor Local Environment Fund.

Ransonmoor Community Fund provides grants of up to £5,000 to groups for projects with environmental benefits in Benwick, Doddington and Wimblington.

Glassmoor Local Environment Fund funds projects in Whittlesey, Coates, Eastrea, Pondersbridge and Ramsey Mereside and the surrounding area typically to a maximum of around £10,000.

See more: Community groups invited to apply for funds for environmental projects

Come and see us if you have concerns about community safety

You're invited to drop in to an event in Wisbech to discuss any concerns you have related to anti-social behaviour.

Members of Fenland District Council's community safety team will be at The Rosmini Centre, 69a Queens Road, Wisbech, PE13 2PH, 11am to 1pm, on Friday, February 14.

Crime prevention and safety advice tips and signposting will be available.

See more: Come and see us if you have concerns about community safety

New home for Wisbech funfair confirmed following consultation

Wisbech funfair will be relocated to the town's Church Terrace car park following a public consultation - with the first fair in the new location opening on February 28.

The twice-yearly funfair, run by The Showman's Guild, has traditionally been held at Chapel Road car park which is owned by The National Trust.

See more: New home for Wisbech funfair confirmed following consultation

Funfairs coming to Fenland - Spring 2025

Funfairs will arrive in Fenland towns for their regular Spring dates from February.

The fairs are due to operate from Fenland District Council car parks in March, Whittlesey and Wisbech.

See more: Funfairs coming to Fenland - Spring 2025

Team Cambridgeshire and Peterborough champions UK economic growth at the House of Commons

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority demonstrated its crucial role in contributing to growth during its parliamentary reception on Monday, January 27.

The event united business leaders, politicians and infrastructure experts to discuss the region's future national growth strategies.

The event featured high-profile panelists from AstraZeneca, ARU Peterborough, Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, Cambridge Delivery Group and Englands Economic Heartlands, who shared their insights on regional growth while addressing key challenges such as housing and transport.

Cllr Chris Boden, Leader of Fenland District Council, said: "Fenland makes a vital contribution to the economic growth of our region, so I'm delighted we had an opportunity to showcase its strengths at this important parliamentary event."

See more: Team Cambridgeshire and Peterborough champions UK economic growth at the House of Commons

New scheme supports employers to retain staff and reduce sickness absence

Employers are being urged to make use of a new service that can help them reduce sickness absence and retain staff.

The WorkWell Fenland service supports staff who are facing ill health, physical or mental, which threatens to, or is, stopping them from working.

Individuals have been able to refer themselves to the scheme since the end of last year and now businesses are being reminded it's not just for people who aren't currently in work due to ill health, but also for those who are struggling to stay in a job due to illness.

See more: New scheme supports employers to retain staff and reduce sickness absence

Get a reusable period product at a discounted rate

Women in Fenland are being encouraged to switch to a reusable period product which is helping to protect the environment.

Building on the success of an initial scheme at Huntingdonshire District Council, the Mooncup programme is now being supported by Fenland District Council and other councils in Cambridgeshire, as part of an initiative funded by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Waste Partnership (RECAP).

You can order a reusable period cup for just £5 (instead of £23.50!).

See more: Council supports Mooncup scheme

Consultation launched on Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report

A consultation has been launched as part of the emerging Fenland Local Plan to help understand Fenland's sustainability needs.

Fenland District Council is currently developing a new district wide Local Plan, which will set out the planning policies to guide the development and use of the land in the district up to 2050.

A Sustainability Appraisal (SA) is an integral part of the plan making process which local authorities must carry out by law. It ensures environmental, economic and social factors are considered in the preparation of the Local Plan.

Comments can be submitted until 11.59pm on February 25.

See more: Consultation launched on Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report