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.
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.”
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.
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
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
