URL: https://www.fenland.gov.uk/localgov/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=972

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: The Fenland District Council Business Plan 2025/26 outlines the list of capital investment initiatives identified by Cabinet members under the Fenland Inspire! banner. It is envisaged that these projects will enhance sports, leisure and heritage facilities, promote healthy lifestyles and preserve the district’s unique character.   The purpose of this report is to update Cabinet members on progress to date and to highlight a number of potential risks associated with the Fenland Inspire! projects.

Content: The Fenland District Council Business Plan 2025/26 outlines the list of capital investment initiatives identified by Cabinet members under the Fenland Inspire! banner. It is envisaged that these projects will enhance sports, leisure and heritage facilities, promote healthy lifestyles and preserve the district’s unique character.   The purpose of this report is to update Cabinet members on progress to date and to highlight a number of potential risks associated with the Fenland Inspire! projects. AGREED to note the content of the report on Fenland Inspire! and resolved:   ·         to reaffirm Cabinet’s intent to use the Fenland Inspire! Programme to leave an inheritance for Fenland residents after FDC is abolished as a result of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). ·         to further note that the timescale for LGR is not yet certain, and that although it is currently thought likely that LGR will go ahead on 1st April 2028, there is at present no certainty as to the date of FDC’s abolition, assuming that LGR goes ahead at all. ·         to affirm that it is unacceptable for FDC to enter into spending commitments that it cannot meet and that FDC must therefore exercise caution in entering into spending commitments, in the interests of both current and future Fenland taxpayers. ·         to note the significant increase in the estimated costs of the Fenland Inspire! Programme. It would clearly be inappropriate to progress all of the current elements of Fenland Inspire! although, once Government publishes a Statutory Instrument, to effect LGR, it can be reasonably assumed that LGR will go ahead on the date stated in the Statutory Instrument. ·         to note that until Cabinet can reasonably assume that LGR will be going ahead, it would be imprudent to proceed with all of the Fenland Inspire! Projects, especially given that frustrated or wasted early costs on capital projects have to be accounted for as Revenue, rather than Capital, expenditure. However, several of the Fenland Inspire! Projects are already in the pipeline or are quite small in cost and low risk in implementation Most of the projects have already received approval from Cabinet or Council to progress. Moreover, if FDC was to wait until it can be reasonably assumed that LGR will be going ahead, it is clear that FDC would have real capacity limitations in delivering all the projects in the programme. ·         to approve that officers progress the projects, or parts of projects, listed in appendix 1. ·         that the list of projects in Fenland Inspire! is not definitive. Projects may be added to or deleted from the list by Cabinet. ·         that the Wisbech Chapel building improvement project is unsustainable and should be removed from the Fenland Inspire! Programme. ·         that in light of the uncertainty surrounding LGR, Cabinet will suspend further work on all projects, other than those listed in Appendix 1 below) until a comprehensive report is brought back to a future meeting of Cabinet. ·         that officers should, nevertheless, keep careful watch for external funding opportunities for all projects.  ·         the Leader will provide officers with an updated Schedule S, detailing which members are leading on which projects.   APPENDIX 1   1.    Wisbech Park Splash Pad: phase one only 2.    Wisbech 11/12 High Street 3.    Manor Leisure Centre, Whittlesey 4.    Chatteris Leisure Centre condition survey work 5.    District wide assessment: new play equipment 6.    New Village Green, Wimblington 7.    Civil Parking Enforcement 8.    St John’s Chapels, March 9.    New March Country Park: confirmation of land transfer agreement only 10. 3G pitches: preparing or submitting applications to the Football Foundation for external funding 11. Clarkson Memorial lighting and planters        

Date of Decision: June 16, 2025