Districtwide 'Fenland Inspire!' investment campaign progress
Progress is being made on a package of districtwide improvements, billed 'Fenland Inspire!'.
July reports to Council and Cabinet contain updates, including:
Civil Parking Enforcement
A report to July's Cabinet recommended members to give authority to officers to push forward with necessary work to enable the district council to become responsible for parking enforcement duties.
Police are currently responsible for dealing with on-street parking contraventions.
In 2023, work stalled on the plan to empower Fenland District Council to take on parking enforcement duties when it was discovered it would cost around £538,500 to bring all 'signs and lines' on county council managed roads up to standard.
The July Cabinet report recommends a renewed analysis of the work now needed to progress the plan, with a view to the district council progressing it.
Cabinet will consider the report at its meeting is on Monday, July 21.
Districtwide assessment of new play equipment
A report to July's Cabinet recommended work to assess Fenland District Council's current provision of play area equipment across the district and any gaps, as well as, specifically, work to develop plans to replace the existing poor quality play area at Westmead Avenue, Wisbech, to an adjoining position in the same open space.
A separate July Cabinet report outlines proposals to consider and consult on a new BMX pump track or skate park on land away from houses at North Drive Recreation Ground.
3G Pitches
Fenland has successfully bid to the Football Foundation for considerable financial support to install PlayZones at Barton Road, Wisbech, and Manor Leisure Centre field, Whittlesey. Both will require planning permission. If approved, the facilities are likely to be in place by the end of this year (2025).
The Football Foundation is due to consider future funding for further PlayZones in England in late September. Should that funding be approved, the district council will consider funding applications for a Wisbech Park PlayZone and a PlayZone in March.
Chatteris Leisure Centre improvements
Work is expected to start on site soon to allow:
- exercise class studio floor replacement
- replacement of changing room floors / shower units / tiling
- water tank replacement
- ceiling painting works and cleaning of solar PV panels and external skylights to maintain performance.
New March Country Park
The next phase for a proposal to extend the existing West End Park involves discussion with the landowners about Fenland District Council acquiring the land.
Manor Leisure Centre, Whittlesey
Detailed design, planning and costing works are being undertaken to move a large renovation project forward.
It is expected that enough detail will be known to allow this to be brought to Cabinet at the beginning of next year (2026) for approval to move to construction phase.
Considerable work is required before then, including community consultation.
Wisbech Park Splashpad improvements
Some additional water features have been bought, and installation is planned this summer (2025) for Wisbech Splashpad.
Appropriate products to provide shaded areas have been identified and work is now under way to get planning permission in place. The Splashpad is in a conservation area.
Additional seating, planters and possibly soft landscaping to further improve the space are also being considered.
The Splashpad is a free water play area open 10am to 5pm in summer months at Wisbech Park.
11-12 High Street, Wisbech
An update on the in-progress plan for a new building with retail and residential spaces is to be brought to a future meeting of the council's Cabinet.
Officers are completing work to allow the final design, planning and tendering to be undertaken to find a preferred contractor.
Floodlighting for Clarkson Memorial, Wisbech
Initial work has taken place to investigate the possibility of adding floodlighting to the Clarkson Memorial, in Bridge Street, Wisbech.
Costings of the work are now being assessed and planning and conservation considerations being made.
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