Don't miss in this month's The Fenlander:

• Council opposes Government plan for 26-bed asylum seeker accommodation
• Fenland's food waste recycling service expands to more homes
• Mould-ridden flats overhauled after council intervention
• Options outlined for future of Manor Leisure Centre, Whittlesey
• New Fenland Culture Fund launching this November!
• Travel Buddies helps Fenland residents travel with greater confidence
• Scheme to help households and pensioners entitled to support 
• Funding available for your green projects - applications closing soon! 
• Fenland set to receive a share of the Government's new Good Food Neighbourhoods programme
• Motion supporting sports pitch provision in March backed by Council
• New air quality monitor sites in Whittlesey
• Council receives Silver Award under Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme
• Continuation of Wisbech town centre street drinking order
• Families in Wisbech are enjoying a newly transformed play area
• Criminal record and fine for fly-tipper
• Community safety messages

Council opposes Government plan for 26-bed asylum seeker accommodation

Fenland District Council is robustly objecting to Government plans for 26-bed asylum seeker accommodation in Roman Court, Leverington.

The Home Office has indicated it’ll announce a decision on whether it is proceeding with its plan for the site on Friday (16 October).

The Council has submitted a detailed letter of opposition.

See more: Latest updates: Council opposition to Government plan for 26-bed asylum seeker accommodation

Fenland's food waste recycling service expands to more homes

More households will soon be able to benefit from Fenland District Council's new food waste recycling service, with the next phase of the rollout this week.

The expansion follows a strong start to the service across the district. Since collections began for Phase One households on 7 September, residents have recycled more than 204 tonnes of food waste in the first month alone (7 September - 6 October).

Phase 2 of the service, which covers town centre flats and communal properties, will be delivered in three stages: 2a, 2b and 2c, with more than 400 homes in Phase 2a set to receive their caddies from today, 14 October.

Residents receiving caddies this week can start using them straight away, ready for their first collections next week (week commencing 19 October).

See more: Fenland's food waste recycling service expands to more homes

Mould-ridden flats overhauled after council intervention

Substandard flats, owned by a single landlord, were being rented out in poor condition or standing empty in Wisbech.

In September, the Council stepped in to drive change, and the flats have since been sold to a new landlord, refurbished and brought back into use as much-needed homes for residents.

Read the full story at: Mould-ridden flats overhauled after council intervention 

Options outlined for future of Manor Leisure Centre, Whittlesey

More details on options for the redevelopment of Manor Leisure Centre in Whittlesey are outlined in a report to Fenland District Council's Cabinet later this October.

The report says full redevelopment could bring improved and longer-lasting facilities, long-term stability, increase the use of the centre and improve income generation.

Read more at: Options outlined for future of Manor Leisure Centre, Whittlesey

New Fenland Culture Fund launching this November!

We're investing £40,000 in arts, culture and heritage projects across Fenland, including £16,000 to support activities at our much-loved Four Seasons events, plus grants of up to £2,000 for eligible individuals, groups and organisations.

Watch this space! Applications open on 2 November.

Find out more about what the fund entails at: New Fenland Culture Fund to launch this November

Travel Buddies helps Fenland residents travel with greater confidence

One of our recent Travel Buddies trips saw 24 attendees, aged between 40 and 90, come together to travel by train from March to Ely.

For some attendees, the trip marked their first train journey in a long time, while others were visiting Ely for the very first time despite living in the Fens for many years.

The next trip is on 23 October, which includes a train journey to Peterborough, from either March or Whittlesea railway station.

For more information or to reserve a place, contact our transport team at transportandaccess@fenland.gov.uk or phone 01354 622318.

Read more about one of the latest trips at: Travel Buddies helps Fenland residents travel with greater confidence

Scheme to help households and pensioners entitled to support

Hundreds of households across Cambridgeshire are being contacted to help claim benefits they may be entitled to.

The initiative has begun with a focus on unclaimed Pension Credit, aiming to put up to £2m per year back into residents’ pockets.

Fenland District Council is working with Cambridgeshire County Council and district and city councils across the county to identify and support eligible residents.

Discover more: Cambridgeshire County Council website: Unclaimed Pension Credit campaign

Funding available for your green projects - applications closing soon! 

Community groups can apply for small grants to support projects that improve the local environment.

Funding can support a wide range of environmental projects, including energy efficiency, renewable energy, wildlife protection, water conservation, sustainable transport, waste reduction and sustainable materials.

Glassmoor Local Environment Fund: Available to groups in Whittlesey, Coates, Eastrea, Pondersbridge, Ramsey Mereside and surrounding areas.

Find out more at: Glassmoor Local Environment Fund

Whitemill Environment Fund: Available to groups in Coldham, Friday Bridge, Elm, Ring's End and Christchurch.

Find out more at: Whitemill Environment Fund

Fenland set to receive a share of the Government's new Good Food Neighbourhoods programme

It was recently announced that Fenland District Council will receive £220,000 from the Government’s £10million programme to improve access to healthy, affordable food.

The funding could support a range of community projects, including food hubs, mobile greengrocers, pensioner lunch clubs, and more.

More information at: Fenland awarded share of new £10million community food programme

Motion supporting sports pitch provision in March backed by Council

The motion highlights the importance of securing land for sports pitches and outdoor recreational facilities in March.

The motion follows consideration of a petition submitted by March Bears Rugby Club which called for sports pitches and associated infrastructure to be secured in the town.

Find out more at: Council backs motion supporting sports pitch provision in March

New air quality monitor sites in Whittlesey

New air quality monitor sites are now operating in Whittlesey. The monitors are part of a wider network of monitoring devices that provide evidence around air quality district-wide.

Read the full story at: New air quality monitor sites in Whittlesey

Council receives Silver Award under Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme

Fenland District Council celebrated securing a Silver Award under the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme.

The award recognises employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support for the defence and the armed forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

Read the full story at: Council secures recognition from MoD employer scheme

Continuation of Wisbech town centre street drinking order

An order that makes it an offence to street drink in parts of Wisbech has been extended for a further three years.

Fenland District Council’s Cabinet agreed to maintain the Wisbech alcohol Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) when it met on Monday 14 September.

Find out more at: Continuation of Wisbech town centre street drinking order

Families in Wisbech are enjoying a newly transformed play area

Westmead Avenue play area has recently been upgraded with new equipment designed for children aged two to eight.

Find out more at: Families enjoying new play area

Criminal record and fine for fly-tipper

A 44-year-old man has been prosecuted and fined for four instances of fly-tipping in Wisbech.

Read the full story at: Criminal record and fine for fly-tipper

We encourage residents to help keep Fenland clean by reporting fly-tipping incidents and ensuring waste is disposed of legally and responsibly. Find out more at: Fly-tipping

Expert tips to protect you and your family

This month, we share Fraud by Abuse of Position support, how to protect your pension, information on new Fearless national knife crime campaign, Hate Crime Awareness Week 2026, new video on investment fraud from the National Crime Agency, advice on protecting your home from crime, information from Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre, Strut Safe support.

See more: Community safety messages: September to October 2026