Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Sunday @ 11:00am

Applicant is the ME Group, whose prime business is ‘Photo-Booths’

Click Here For FDC Planning Portal

(declaration I have a small amount of shares in the ME Group)

We’ been waiting for nearly 2 years to get this project started….at long last…. hopefully the new bridge will be a bit more robust to our ‘darlings’ who vandalised the old bridge…

A good group of members, although many have dropped off since FDC began this engagement group.
Representatives from FDC, CCC, Library Services, Cambs Education Services,
NHW/FOTM, WI, Radio Fenland, myself and Cllr Peter Bibb (occasional).

We learnt that the Whittlesey Library is due to be re-opened (fully) Mid-January.
PYP (Phoenix Youth Provision) are making good use of the football facilities.
The latest (already reported) £23.4 Million planned re-build of the Manor Centre/Pool.

I highlighted that there have been several (that I am aware of) Pickpocketing incidents @ ‘Aldi’ – Whittlesey. One senior (mobility challenged) lady, lost her driving licence, bank card, bus pass and library card along with some cash. A major inconvenience.
She along with the others have NOT reported it to the police – because as usual they find too arduous and intense to be bothered.
I have reported these incidents.
Passed on my thanks to Whittlesey Town Council, The Royal British Legion and support for the very well organised and attended Armistice events held across our area, not only Whittlesey, but Coates, Turves and Pondersbridge.

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

• Fenland District Council’s Golden Age Christmas Appeal is back for another year!
• Council continues opposition to Government asylum accommodation plan
• Local Government Reorganisation update
• The Fenland Culture Fund is now open for applications
• Help shape plans and secure funding for two more Fenland PlayZones
• Chatteris in Bloom receives Silver Gilt at the Britain in Bloom awards
• Fenland environmental volunteers recognised at annual celebration evening
• Enjoy free Christmas events in Fenland
• Gyms at Fenland’s council-owned leisure centres overhauled with new equipment
• Crisis Resilience Fund: Support available
• Help with cost of healthy foods for mums-to-be and parents
• Don’t pay to claim
• Mental health support is now one message away
• Scam alert: Council Tax emails
• Community safety messages

Landlords: Be ready to register your properties

Fenland District Council’s Golden Age Christmas Appeal is back for another year!

Fenland residents can help spread some festive cheer by donating gifts for older people across the district this Christmas.
Donations to the Christmas appeal will be gifted to attendees of the upcoming Golden Age Fair, on Friday 11 December.

Donations can be made up until Friday 4 December at:

• Wisbech Library, Ely Place; March Library, City Road, and Chatteris Library, Furrowfields Road
• Tesco Extra, Cromwell Road, Wisbech
• Tesco Superstore, Hostmoor Avenue, March

Find out more about the appeal and how you can support it at:
Fenland Christmas gift appeal returns for another year

Photo above: Launch of the appeal, with from left: District Council officer Hayley Mears; Jack Avison, of How Are You Fenland; Cllr Sam Clark; Cllr Nick Meekins;
Cllr Lucie Foice-Beard.

Council continues opposition to Government asylum accommodation plan

Fenland District Council has condemned the Home Office’s decision to proceed with plans to use Roman Court in Leverington as 26-bed asylum seeker accommodation. The Council says the decision fails to recognise serious concerns raised by the authority and partner organisations regarding community safety, safeguarding, local service pressures and the suitability of the site.

The decision follows weeks of local opposition, public protests and a fire at the site that remains the subject of an ongoing police investigation.
The Council’s position remains unchanged, and it will continue to make its objections known while working with partners to ensure local concerns are heard.

For the latest updates, visit: Latest updates: Council opposition to Government plan for 26-bed asylum seeker accommodation

Local Government Reorganisation update

No decision on the future structure of councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has yet been made, although residents can expect a decision from Government by early 2027 at the latest following a recent update on its plans for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
The latest timetable also confirms that local elections due in Fenland in May 2027 will go ahead as planned, with elections to new unitary councils scheduled for May 2028 and the new authorities formally coming into being in April 2029.

Services will continue to operate as normal throughout the process. Fenland District Council’s Cabinet is also due to discuss the impact of the ongoing LGR uncertainty at its meeting on Monday 16 November.

Read the latest update and find further information on LGR at:
Local Government Reorganisation

The Fenland Culture Fund is now open for applications

Fenland District Council has launched a new Fenland Culture Fund this November, creating fresh opportunities to support the delivery of arts, culture and heritage projects and activities across the district.
Do you have a project in mind that could benefit from this funding? Grants of up to £2,000 are now available to help bring them to life.

Applications for the new fund are open until Friday 15 January 2027.

More information at: Fenland Culture Fund

Help shape plans and secure funding for two more Fenland PlayZones

The Council is looking to create two more multi-sports pitches in the district – and would like your help to shape the plan and support its funding bids.
PlayZones are safe, inclusive and accessible outdoor facilities designed to support recreational football and other sports such as netball, cricket and basketball. Similar to multi-use games areas (MUGAs), they are enclosed, floodlit and can be accessed by the community through a managed booking system.

Have your say on the proposed locations:

• West End Park, March
• Wisbech Park, Wisbech

The surveys will close on Wednesday 25 November.

Find out more about Fenland PlayZones at: Fenland PlayZones

Chatteris in Bloom receives Silver Gilt at the Britain in Bloom awards.

Chatteris in Bloom was awarded Silver Gilt at the Britain in Bloom awards, last month (October).
An Anglia in Bloom statement said: “These awards showcase the incredible efforts of volunteers, community groups, local councils and partners across our region.

“Thank you to everyone who gives their time, energy and enthusiasm to help our towns and communities flourish.”
Congratulations to all the volunteers whose hard work and dedication helped secure this fantastic achievement.

If you could help your community as a Street Pride or In Bloom volunteer, get in touch via: www.fenland.gov.uk/streetpride

Fenland environmental volunteers recognised at annual celebration evening.

More than 60 volunteers from Street Pride, In Bloom and Friends groups were celebrated at the annual Street Pride Celebration Evening last month (October).
Individuals and organisations were recognised for their hard work improving local streets, public spaces and wildlife habitats in their communities.

Find out more about the event and this year’s award winners at:
Fenland’s environmental volunteers honoured at Street Pride Celebration Evening

Enjoy free Christmas events in Fenland

There’s not long to go until Christmas events come to Fenland!

• March Christmas Market: Sunday 6 December, 10am to 3pm, town centre
• Wisbech Christmas Fayre: Sunday 13 December, 10am to 3pm, town centre

Enjoy a free festive day out with food, craft and gift stalls, live entertainment, free children’s rides and much more.

More information at: Free Christmas events in Fenland

Gyms at Fenland’s council-owned leisure centres overhauled with new equipment.

Council leisure centres in Chatteris, March, Whittlesey and Wisbech have benefited from new equipment, with installations either completed or currently underway.
Find out more at: Gyms at Fenland’s council-owned leisure centres overhauled with new equipment

Call for Sites reopens as Fenland 50 Local Plan progresses

Due to continued interest and new planning legislation, we’ve reopened our Call for Sites, giving landowners, developers, site promoters and other interested parties a further opportunity to suggest sites that could help meet Fenland’s future needs.
Sites can be put forward for a range of uses, including housing, employment, community facilities, green infrastructure, renewable energy and more.

Further details at: Fenland 50 – Call for Sites 2026

Crisis Resilience Fund: Support available.

Organisations that help people in Fenland build financial resilience and avoid hitting financial crisis can access funding of up to £50,000 to boost their work.
The funding will help individuals and families build the knowledge and support networks needed to withstand and recover from financial challenges, such as unexpected bills, loss of income or rising living costs.

Find out more about available grants at: Crisis Resilience Fund

Scam alert: Council Tax emails

We’ve been made aware of scam emails being sent to residents claiming they are due a refund on their Council Tax account and encouraging them to click a link to receive it.
These emails are not from Fenland District Council or our Council Tax and Housing Benefits partner, Anglia Revenues Partnership.

We would never ask you to provide your bank card details by email to claim a Council Tax refund.

Please do not click on any links or share your personal or payment details.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

Citizens Advice has shared guidance to help you spot and avoid scams, as well as information on the support available if you’ve been targeted by a scam.
Read their advice at: Scams – Citizen Advice

Benefits reminder: Don’t pay to claim.

Every year, older people across the UK miss out on benefits they’re entitled to.
Unfortunately, some companies are taking advantage of this. Claims Management Companies (CMCs) are contacting pensioners and their families, offering to handle claims for benefits like Attendance Allowance or missing Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) on their behalf, for a fee.

These companies are not doing anything illegal, but the impact on individuals can be significant.

If you’re eligible for these benefits, claiming them should never cost you anything. Free, trusted help is available from organisations including Citizens Advice and Independent Age.

Find out more on the Government website at: Claiming your benefits is free

Mental health support is now one message away.

If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, stressed or low, a new service can help. The East of England Mental Health Crisis Text Service offers free, confidential support from trained mental health professionals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You can message about anything that’s on your mind. You don’t need a referral, and you don’t need to give your name to start. The service is open to people of all ages across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes, Hertfordshire, and Essex.

Text SOS to 80899, WhatsApp 0800 884 0655 or visit nxgthrive.co.uk/crisis-text-service. The service is commissioned by the NHS and delivered by NXG Thrive.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999.

Help with cost of healthy foods for mums-to-be and parents.

If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under four, the ‘Healthy Start’ scheme can help you:

• buy healthy foods such as milk or fruit
• get free vitamins

You need to be claiming certain benefits to qualify unless you’re under 18. If you’re under 18 and more than 10 weeks pregnant, you can claim even if you do not receive any benefits.

Find out more and apply: Help with cost of healthy foods for mums-to-be and parents

Expert tips to protect you and your family.

This month, we shared information on staying alert of Council Tax email scams, Bonfire Night safety, heating and open fire safety tips, phone scams, student safety campaign, available youth support services, protecting yourself from identity theft.

See more: Community safety messages: October to November 2026

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The Whittlesey Play Zone has been completed and will be open soon for bookings.

Yes I will be attending.

Below – Indicative (only) Very early stage of what may be looked at/financed/proposed.

(click in bottom left corner to advance/retard pages)