Over 65, and live in Fenland? Join Fenland District Council’s Travel Buddies trips to help increase your confidence using public or community transport – details on the FDC website.

A survey asking people to comment on the future of local government in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has launched today (Thursday 19 June).

Why is the survey taking place? 

Local government in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (and across the country) is going to change. You’ll remember that there was an announcement by national Government in December last year, setting out plans to move towards a new system of local councils. This will remove the two-tier system of district and county councils. Existing unitary councils including Peterborough are also included. 

In Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, the idea is to replace multiple layers of councils with one or more larger councils, called unitary authorities. Parish and town councils, which are smaller and have different local responsibilities, are not currently being asked to change. 

The Government says this reorganisation should bring services together, potentially leading to improvements and making it simpler for residents to know who to contact. Financial savings are also expected by reducing the number of councils.  

What will the new structure be? 

All seven of the councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have been working together to discuss potential options for a new arrangement of councils. Three options – based on existing council boundaries – are currently on the table. Following initial work between all seven local councils, these options are all deliverable and have different strengths:

Proposal A – A North-West/South-East Option 

• Unitary 1 
  Peterborough City Council, Huntingdonshire and Fenland District Councils – along with County Council functions. 
• Unitary 2 
  Cambridge City Council, East Cambridgeshire and South Cambridgeshire District Councils – along with County Council functions. 

Proposal B – A North/South Option 

• Unitary 1 
  Peterborough City Council, East Cambridgeshire, Fenland and Huntingdonshire District Councils – along with County Council functions. 
• Unitary 2 
  Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council – along with County Council functions. 

Proposal C – An East/West Option 

• Unitary 1 
  Peterborough City Council, East Cambridgeshire and Fenland District Councils – along with County Council functions. 
• Unitary 2 
  Cambridge City Council, Huntingdonshire and South Cambridgeshire District Councils – along with County Council functions. 

Before these proposals for potential new structures are submitted to Government in November, we need to hear what local people think.  

So, we are now at the stage where residents, businesses and other stakeholders (including you as Council colleagues) across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are being asked to share views on the future of local government. Ultimately, it will be for the Government to decide on any new local Council structures. 

What does the engagement work cover? 

Rather than asking people to feed in what geographical areas they think new unitary authorities should cover – the engagement instead focuses on the connections that people feel they have to different areas; like where they work, socialise or get healthcare.  

It also covers what priorities they think the new unitary authorities should have and what is important to them when it comes to dealing with local government services. Responses will then be used to feed into the business cases that will be developed by the councils – which must be submitted to Government in November. 

From today (Thursday 19 June) to Sunday 20 July, you can submit your views as part of this engagement work. CLICK HERE or see the Fenland District Council website

In May, the Mayor of March, Cllr Andrew Woollard, supported the Alzheimer’s Society by attending a dementia awareness coffee morning held in St Peter’s Hall.

The Alzheimer’s Society have a team of fully trained Dementia Advisers who are there to support everyone affected by dementia or worried about memory, including family members and carers.

As well as providing you with information, they can help you to understand dementia better, for example, helping with communication, eating and drinking, washing and dressing, etc.; working with you to find strategies to cope with the difficulties that you face. Staff will offer you a listening ear and a safe space to discuss the emotional impact of this. The service is free and confidential, and can be accessed at any point and as often as needed.

They can also help you to access benefits and any other services that may support you, and to plan for the future. There are a range of services including one-to-one support, groups, information sessions and are available in over 60 GP surgeries around the county.

If there is any way they can help you, please call on 01223 620962 or email at cambridgeshiredementia@alzheimers.org.uk.

Driver Required

FACT are very kindly providing a mini bus for the MAFF so we can provide Park & Ride and Train & Ride which will hopefully reduce congestion within March while the MAFF is on.

Is there someone who would like to help the MAFF by volunteering to be the FACT mini bus driver, Or drive for some of the day?

Contact via Facebook

March Summer Festival starts TODAY at 6:00 PM in West End Park!

Don’t miss out on performances from The King Blues WAX and The Sixteenths.

Bring your friends and join the fun! More details

At the meeting of March Town Council held on 2 June 2025, the Freedom of the Town was conferred upon Rob Skoulding for his remarkable efforts in giving March town a plentiful supply of defibrillators.

He continues to raise awareness and to ensure that they are added to and maintained.

Rob was surprised and delighted by the honour.

If you are, or know, a March community organisation that could do with some financial help, please see the guidance to check whether you meet the criteria. SEE HERE

Round 1 of 2025-2026 Grants and Donations will be considered at the March Town Council meeting being held on 2 June 2025 and applications must be received by 28 May.

Further applications for 2025-2026 will be considered in September, December and March.

Help clear the line – working parties 1st and 2nd Saturdays of the month for the Wisbech-March link.

https://www.bramleyline.org.uk/

The next round of applications for grant funding from March Town Council will be considered at their meeting to be held on 2nd June 2025.

If you wish to be considered, please read the guidance and submit an application form.

Details can be found HERE

At the Annual Meeting of March Town Council held on Monday 12th May 2025 Cllr Andrew Woollard was elected as Mayor of March for the forthcoming year. Cllr Nigel ‘Spence’ Spencer was elected as Deputy.