After many years of various applications for this site – FDC Planning Officers recommended ‘approval’ – after presentation by the agent along with discussion and debate – the application has been approved by the Planning Committee by a majority vote.
Some debate over Highways not having any issues.
Whittlesey FDC/WTC Councillor Elizabeth Sennitt-Clough voted against the application, stating local knoweledge about the access needed to be taken into account.
Dear Roy,
Following investigation this morning, we are now in a position to provide further detail following reports of an email containing threats sent to schools.
Late yesterday afternoon, Peterborough City Council shared a message with headteachers about a potential threat to schools in another part of the country.
There was no evidence to suggest that Cambridgeshire schools might be at risk, but the message was shared for awareness and to remind them of the need for good safeguarding procedures to ensure the safety of pupils.
Understandably, overnight this has attracted a lot of interest and concern from parents as a result of the message to schools being shared wider, however we would like to reassure the public that this message is believed to be a hoax and at this time there is no specific identified threat to schools within Cambridgeshire and we are not aware of any of our schools having received the email in question.
Best turn the sound up to hear the effects…!!!!!!
Some firecracker this was for Chinese New Year….
A4 training flyer for Fenland – Fenland events
We have made three further arrests in connection with an investigation into violent disorder and criminality that occurred across Cambridgeshire on 25 January.
Two men aged 22 and 51 were arrested in Essex this morning (Tuesday), while a 46-year-old man was arrested in Peterborough this afternoon.
A force-led investigation was launched following multiple complaints of hare coursing, criminal damage and dangerous driving in various parts of the county.
Incidents took place in Fordham, Ely, Prickwillow, Littleport, Welney, Chatteris, Manea, Wimblington and Doddington and police continue to appeal for the public’s help in identifying those involved.
Local policing commander Superintendent Ben Martin said: “Our investigation team have been working tirelessly reviewing the many pieces of information that have been coming into us which have led to these arrests, which demonstrates the continuing commitment by the constabulary to bring the offenders to justice.”
An 18-year-old man from Spalding and a 26-year-old man from Grantham were arrested on Friday morning (31 January) on suspicion of violent disorder and attending a hare coursing event.
We also seized four vehicles, three in Grantham and one in Essex, as well as hare coursing equipment.
The men were both released on bail to return to Thorpe Wood Police Station at a later date, with strict conditions:
Supt Martin added: “We still have a lot of work to do to bring those responsible for this abhorrent criminality to justice but are working closely with our policing colleagues across the country to do all we can and will continue to make arrests in the coming days and weeks.”
Anyone with any information and footage that could assist in identifying those involved is asked to email OpCalluna@cambs.police.uk or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555111 or online.
Disclaimer: These observations are not the ‘official’ minutes of the meeting, these are supplied by Whittlesey Town Council, normally (1) month following this meeting and can be viewed on their website.
Decisions and Voting at this meeting may be ratified and confirmed at the following months meeting.
I am posting the below for information only – notes taken by Cllr Wainwright – if anyone believes there are any inaccuracies or mistakes made then please contact me – I am as always more than willing to make corrections.
As a member of Fenland District Councils Planning Committee – I make no comments what-so-ever on these notes and keep an open mind as to if/when these applications come before FDC’s Planning Committee.
The demand for services, increasing complexity of need, inflation and market failures mean the county council is responding to a £35.1m gap for 2025/26, members were told at Cambridgeshire County Council’s Strategy, Resources and Performance committee on Tuesday (28 January).
Despite these challenges, the council’s proposed plans for the coming year include an investment in highways maintenance, adult social care and building new schools, alongside continuing its journey to achieve net zero targets and responding to climate change.
Proposals discussed included an increase of council tax by 4.99%, the maximum permitted by Government before a public referendum is needed. A total 2% of this increase is dedicated to adult social care services across the county. This increase, if approved, would generate around £20million in additional funding.
At the meeting on Tuesday, the majority of members at the Strategy, Resources and Performance committee made its final recommendation to Full Council, which will agree the budget on Tuesday 11 February.
The Business Plan and Budget proposals are available to view on our website. The meeting is available to watch on our YouTube channel
Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
People will have seen that the Government announced its devolution plans in December 2024. Cambridgeshire County Council elections will be taking place in May this year, as expected.
We welcome the opportunities that greater powers and more funding being devolved from Westminster to Cambridgeshire could bring and will work closely with the Mayor and Combined Authority to secure the best outcomes for our communities. Our focus remains on delivering essential services across the whole of Cambridgeshire.
Visit our website for more information on Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
Shining a light on lower energy consumption and reduced maintenance costs
From December 2024, our street lighting contractor Balfour Beatty has started work on our countywide street light replacement programme. Over two years, we will be replacing over 47,000 existing streetlights with new LED (light emitting diode) streetlights.
We expect that this will save more than 5,000 tonnes of carbon emissions over the lifetime of the streetlights and cut energy consumption by more than half. The new lights will also reduce maintenance costs and light pollution.
If you have a standard, Cambridgeshire County Council streetlight near you, the light will be replaced within the next two years. In small towns and villages, our contractor is intending to carry out replacements in clusters to minimise any disruption.
The Balfour Beatty website has full details on when the streetlights in your area will be changed, alongside helpful FAQs. You can also visit our dedicated page for more information.
Investing in Community Health Fund
Today we have launched the exciting new Investing in Community Health Fund in partnership with North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust that will award £650,000 to transform healthcare across Huntingdonshire, Fenland and Peterborough.
The fund aims to tackle pressing health challenges through targeted support to local non-profit organisations. £50,000 will be equally distributed to organisations in each of the region’s 13 Integrated Neighbourhoods, ensuring that resources reach communities. This localised approach will enable organisations to address specific health needs within their communities while building sustainable capacity for the future.
The fund will focus on three strategic priorities:
Full information on the geographical criteria (including the 13 Integrated Neighbourhoods), general fund criteria, and guidance on evaluation and measuring impact can be found here.
The application deadline is 1 May 2025
