Wednesday, October 8, 2025
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The Fenlander is a regular bulletin from Fenland District Council updating on council news, events and services.
This month we bring you news of a major crackdown on Council Tax cheats, prompted by our desire to ensure help is available to those who need it and isn't being directed to those who don't.

A by-election has been called to appoint a new Whittlesey member to Fenland District Council and Whittlesey Town Council. And there's a timely update for postal voters about changes to rules that mean they need to reapply.

There's also the latest news on the proposed new Fens reservoir and a new round of consultation.

And the latest on proposed local government reorganisation.

As always, there's detail of free and low cost social and exercise classes across Fenland, with Active Fenland.

We also call on garden waste service subscribers to ensure their details are updated. And remind everyone that you can manage Council Tax and business rate accounts online to make the process super convenient and efficient for you.

If you're an entrepreneur or trader we've got details of how to bring your business to our markets and events.

And for everyone there's information on how to protect yourself from disaster by preparing for flooding and paying heed to fire door safety advice.

You can also discover how to get help with domestic abuse and meet our community safety team for advice and support on all related topics.
Gymnast display at Whittlesey Festival 2025

Photo above: Whittlesey Festival 2025 took place in September. Discover how to bring your business to one of our popular events further down this issue of The Fenlander.

£1.5 million in incorrectly claimed Council Tax support and discounts being recovered


False and incorrect claims of Council Tax support and discounts in Fenland totalling almost £1.5 million have been identified and are now being recovered, thanks to a fraud crackdown.

A dedicated team continues to work with a focus on ensuring those who need support get it and those who claim incorrectly are found.

Council Tax help for households includes Single Person Discount (for one-adult households) and Council Tax Support, to reduce the bill for eligible people.

Incorrect claims of Single Person Discount and Council Tax Support, totalling almost £1.5m made either in error or fraudulently between April 2023 and September this year, have been uncovered.

As soon as a discrepancy is uncovered work begins to reclaim the money. Prosecutions are pursued in appropriate cases and where the public interest test has been met.

The work to uncover incorrect claims is being undertaken by Anglia Revenues Partnership (ARP) as part of the Cambridgeshire Fraud Hub, with support from Fenland District Council and Cambridgeshire County Council.

ARP operates Council Tax administration on behalf of the collection authority, Fenland District Council. The county council is the largest beneficiary of Council Tax, receiving around 75 per cent of the total amount paid to fund services including highway and road maintenance, social services and education.

The fraud crackdown continues.

For Council Tax information, help and support see: Council Tax

By-elections called in Whittlesey following resignation of councillor


By-elections have been called to fill vacancies on both Fenland District Council and Whittlesey Town Council, following the resignation of Councillor Elisabeth Sennitt Clough.

The by-elections will take place on Thursday, October 23, for the Whittlesey North West Ward of Fenland District Council and the North West Ward of Whittlesey Town Council.

The deadline to apply to vote by post, if you don't already have a postal voting arrangement in place, is 5pm today (Weds, Oct 8).

Discover full information for voters at: By-elections called in Whittlesey following resignation of councillor

Thousands of Fenland postal voters need to reapply under new rules


Around 11,000 postal voters in Fenland will need to reapply if they wish to continue voting by post in future elections, following a change in the law.

Previously, residents could hold a permanent postal vote, with only their signature needing to be refreshed every five years.

However, under new national rules introduced as part of the Elections Act 2022, postal voters are now required to reapply for their postal vote every three years.

This means any postal voters who made their current application before October 31, 2023, will need to reapply for their postal vote by January 31, 2026.

The quickest way to reapply is online.

Discover the details: Thousands of Fenland postal voters need to reapply under new rules
WorkWell Fenland
Is your health making it difficult for you to work?
WorkWell Fenland could be the answer.

Have your say in 'phase three consultation' on proposed new Fens reservoir


Anglian Water and Cambridge Water are progressing plans for a new Fens reservoir and are about to launch another round of consultation.

Phase three consultation will take place October 15 to December 10.

Anglian Water and Cambridge Water have announced several community events to discuss the updated proposals.

Discover more: Have your say in 'phase three consultation' on proposed new Fens reservoir

Council leaders thank communities for helping shape the future of local government


Council leaders across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough thanked residents, businesses, and community organisations for their vital role in shaping the future of local government in our region.

Between June 19 and July 20, 2025, a total of 3,406 people, including residents, stakeholders and staff, took part in a countywide engagement survey to share their views on the biggest shake-up of local government since the 1970s.

The feedback will help to inform how councils are structured and residents access services from April 2028, when the Government's requirement for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) takes effect.

The seven councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough - Cambridge City Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Fenland District Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, Peterborough City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council - have been working collaboratively to identify viable options for the new unitary authorities since the Government announced LGR in December 2024.

Discover: Local Government Reorganisation engagement survey reports 
Active Fenland promotes and provides informal and fun sport and physical activity sessions in community settings in Fenland.

Free and low-cost exercise and activity sessions - October 2025


There's free and low-cost fun and activity for all on offer at venues across Fenland with Active Fenland again this month..

The programme includes everything from walking football to yoga, specialist sessions for people who want to improve their strength and mobility, and for those with cardiac problems.

Take a look at the full programme to find the class or activity for you: Free and low-cost exercise and activity sessions - October 2025
Garden Waste Service
Join over 24,000 households who benefit from fortnightly Garden Waste Service collections

Have you updated your garden waste subscription details?


If you subsrcibe to our garden waste service, don't forget to tell us if your name, contact details or bank details change or you're moving within Fenland.

Subscriptions for our 2026 garden waste service will soon be advertised. If you're one of the many customers signed up to pay by Direct Debit your service will continue as usual.

Update us now if your details have changed: Change to garden waste subscription
Bulky Waste Collections
Our Bulky Waste Collections can collect items that are too big for your wheeled bin

Manage Council Tax and business rates accounts online


Did you know you can manage your Council Tax, benefits and Business Rates accounts online, anytime?

You can:
  • Access accounts any time of day or night to self serve at a time that suits you.
  • Sign up for paperless billing - get your bills direct to your inbox. It's quick, secure and eco-friendly.
  • Sign up for Direct Debit - never have to think about paying manually again. One job off the list!
  • Apply for reductions and discounts - so you don't miss out and can update your account with ease whenever you have a change in circumstances.
  • Report a change of circumstances at your convenience without having to speak to us.
Discover more on our Council Tax and business rate partner website: Anglia Revenue Partnerships  
Jobs
Make a difference in your local community by joining our team. Current vacancies include 'senior environmental health officer - food lead'.

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
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Council Meetings
Council committees meet regularly to discuss and decide upon issues in Fenland.

You can view a calendar of the upcoming meetings and agendas on our website and watch the meetings live on YouTube

Take action to protect yourself from impacts of flooding


Flooding can be devastating, but taking action now in case it happens will reduce the trauma.

There are a few simple things you can do to protect yourself, your family, your property and potentially save a life.

With Flood Action Week 2025 about to launch, you're urged to take action now.

Be prepared for flooding: Government's 'prepare for flooding' guidance
Be prepared for other emergencies: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Prepared website
Community safety events and advice 
In our role as a member of Fenland Community Safety Partnership we highlight below some current key messages and events

Events reminder - meet Fenland's Community Safety Team


Representatives of Fenland's Community Safety Partnership attend and run community events to allow people to discuss concerns and access advice and information.

They will be at:
  • Doddington Church Rooms, New Street, Doddington, March, PE15 0SP; Friday, October 17, 11am to 1pm
  • Walsoken Village Hall, 53 Kirkgate Street, Wisbech, PE13 3QX; Tuesday, November 4, 9.30am to 11am 
  • Parson Drove Village Hall, Main Road, Parson Drove, Wisbech, PE13 4LA; Tuesday, December 2, 10am to noon.
Community Safety Partnerships are made up of the police, local authorities, fire and rescue services, health and probation services. Not all partners are present at all events.

Discover more about the Community Safety Partnership at: Fenland Community Safety Partnership webpage

Are you or someone you know suffering domestic abuse?


Domestic abuse can happen to anyone.

Domestic abuse can mean any kind of violent, threatening, bullying or controlling behaviour between people in a relationship. It can be physical, emotional, sexual, financial and psychological.

It can include so-called 'honour-based' violence or abuse such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage.

If you're experiencing domestic abuse you should get help immediately.

Remember that you are not to blame - never be afraid to ask for help and support.

Discover more information and where to get help at: Domestic Abuse Fenland

Building safety highlighted during Fire Door Safety Week


The lifesaving importance of good fire door safety management has been highlighted by Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service.

It encourages building managers, landlords, tenants and all building users to check the operation and condition of their fire doors and repair (if possible) or report those that aren’t satisfactory.

On its website, it said: "Fire doors are often the first line of defence in a fire, especially when we are asleep and at our most vulnerable. Their correct specification, installation, maintenance and management can be the difference between life and death for building occupants."

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service advises to:
  • Check for certification - Is there a label or plug on top (or occasionally on the side) of the door to show it is a certificated fire door?
  • Check the gaps - Check the gaps around the top and sides of the door are consistently less than 4mm when closed.
  • Check the seals condition - Are there any intumescent seals around the door or frame, and are they intact with no sign of damage?
  • Check the hinges - Are the hinges firmly fixed (three or more of them), with no missing or broken screws?
  • Check the door closes properly - Open the door about halfway, let go and allow it to close by itself. Does it close firmly onto the latch without sticking on the floor or the frame?
Discover more: Building safety highlighted during Fire Door Safety Week
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 Wisbech. It is just a short walk from the town centre and is easily accessible from the A47.

  • South Fens Business Centre
    South Fens Business Centre, in Chatteris, is next to the A141 and A142 - offering easy access to Ely, March, Huntingdon, Cambridge and beyond.

Opportunities for traders at markets and events


Entrepreneurs, side hustlers and traders can grab an opportunity to trade at one of our regular markets or events.

We have market stall vacancies at some of our weekly Fenland town markets.

And booking is open for stalls at March Christmas Market and Wisbech Christmas Fayre - free events in December that attract thousands of visitors and shoppers. Catering is all sorted for 2025 events but there's an opportunity to express an interest in catering for 2026 events.

Discover more and secure your place at:
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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