Agenda and draft minutes

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meetings held 15 September and 7 November 2025.

The minutes of the meeting of 15 September 2025 were confirmed and signed.

Councillor Barber drew attention to the civic activities undertaken by herself and the Vice-Chairman in the weeks preceding full Council.

The Chairman thanked all who attended her Carol Service on 5^th December and Member Services for their assistance in organising the event. She also thanked Reverend Paul Kite, Paul Medd, Councillor Steve Tierney, Vanessa O’Keeffe, the Clarkson Singers and the children of Orchards Primary School, for their participation.

The Chairman stated that no written questions had been received under Procedure Rule 8.6. Councillor Booth, as Leader of the Opposition, asked the following question under Procedure Rule 8.4:

·         Could the Leader please provide an update on the Flag for the Fens? Council previously passed a motion on this and agreed to a flag design competition, but nothing has been heard since. Councillor Boden responded that despite Council’s resolution, there seemed to be little appetite for spending time and money on the competition, and whilst that is what the Flag Institute said it required, he had not seen any enthusiasm from members given the majority had voted in favour. If he is wrong, then he is happy to discuss with members how they may take part to move it forward but meanwhile he has more pressing matters to focus on such as the budget and Local Government Reorganisation. Councillor Booth said that as Leader, Councillor Boden could have ensured its delivery following the Council resolution. Councillor Boden agreed that when Council decides on something, then every effort is made to deliver but repeated there no longer seems to be an appetite for this although if members are willing to assist with the time it will take without too much officer or financial resource, he will move it forward.

Members asked questions of Portfolio Holders in accordance with Procedure Rules 8.1 and 8.2 as follows:

·         Councillor Oliver said he is aware that Stephen Barclay MP is discouraging organisations from using MVV presumably to make it unviable, so he would like to ask Councillor Tierney if there is any chance that Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) would use MVV in the future.  Councillor Tierney responded that he wished he could say there is no chance because in 2019 CCC passed a motion almost unanimously opposing the Wisbech incinerator, but at a recent Environment Committee meeting they said they wanted to save money by using incineration but did not indicate where. If it is built, one of the obvious places to use would be the Wisbech MVV incinerator so it worries him that they may do that, and pressure needs to be put on them not to. He added that FDC members all agreed not to support the incinerator, and he still hopes that will be the case, but he is very concerned about it.

·         Councillor Imafidon referred to the building of the Fens Reservoir and asked if the Leader would write to Anglian Water to encourage their provision of apprenticeships, particularly considering the high number of youth unemployment in the area. Councillor Boden said that is a timely question as the Office for National Statistics has produced deprivation statistics showing Fenland ranked as one of the worst local authorities in the country in terms of skills out of an index of some 200. The Fens Reservoir is the largest infrastructure project ever seen in this region and given that there are massive commercial, employment and skills opportunities he will be happy to write to Anglian Water. He will also write to the Chief Executive of the Combined Authority to ask that he does the same as the more opportunities that can be provided for young people the better.

·         Councillor Cutler said she appreciated the Leader commented at a previous meeting that Fenland Inspire will continue until 2028 and has said that all areas will be treated equally but it does not feel like it in the rural villages. She pointed out that Murrow is a village with community spirit and a high volunteer base, but residents resent that it is one of the most neglected. Little is provided for them other than waste bin collections and young families have to travel to find decent play equipment. She asked Councillor Boden what the status is of the district wide assessment and where Murrow is in relation to that, adding that some adult fitness equipment would also be appreciated. Councillor Boden responded that he cannot answer about the assessment as that will be done by officers, but the remit is clear and that is to thoroughly assess Fenland in its entirety to find cold spots of play areas, and he will need to see that report first. However, while it is necessary to have a phased timing of works under Fenland Inspire, it  ...  view the full minutes text for item C40/24

Motion submitted by Councillor Tierney regarding Digital ID.

Councillor Tierney presented a motion on Digital ID cards, seconded by Councillor Miscandlon.

Members made the following comments:

·         Councillor Boden said in principal he has nothing against digital IDs, but the problem is the practice, and he is concerned the data collected would be utilised for purposes that nobody would agree with. This would be the largest IT exercise since the NHS system was upgraded and that was disastrous. He cannot see Government getting the IT right in this instance; it is not practical, now is not the right time and there is not the ability to commission it effectively, so he will support the motion.

·         Councillor Taylor said how many IDs do people require? People already have a lot of ID, and digital ID is just a form of control. He will fully support the motion.

·         Councillor Purser said he is in favour of ID cards but only in a voluntary capacity and he believes digital ID could potentially be a lifesaver. He wears an SOS Talisman that is not big enough for all the medical information he needs to have on it but in an emergency, he is identifiable with information that could potentially save his life. He does not feel information such as medication, allergies and emergency contact details are confidential. Much is said about data protection and breaches of privacy, and most people carry personal information on their passports so he cannot see what is wrong with a digital ID card. He has heard the argument that ID can be cloned, but so can driving licences and credit cards etc. and the information from these can be used for criminal purposes already. ID can prove who you are rather than who you are not. Therefore, as it is his view that an ID card could potentially safe a life, he cannot support this motion.

·         Cllr Nawaz stated that ID cards are an excellent idea for North Korea and China. The system began harmlessly enough in China, but evolved to a point where the authorities now record citizens’ behaviour, including their banking and employment history, whether they are behind in payments or been in an accident etc. The information is analysed to calculate a score, the highest scores provides perks, lower scores leading to restriction placed on daily life. In his view, digital ID will leave individuals vulnerable to blackmail or fraud. The NHS will be producing the genome visit of everyone in the next ten years which will be linked to the digital ID card. He does not trust this government and wants to keep the freedoms this country has fought for, so he supports this motion.

·         Councillor Roy said that he fully supports this motion; society is entering a time that will be different to that which all here have experienced in their lifetimes and the freedoms that are given up today will never be known by the generations to come. 

·         Councillor Hoy said she used to believe that if you have done nothing wrong  ...  view the full minutes text for item C41/24

To consider the Council’s Treasury Management activity for the first six months of 2025/26 and to provide members with an update on matters pertinent to future updates to the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy.

Members considered the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy Mid-Year Review 2025/26 report presented by Councillor Boden.

Councillor Booth said that having noted what the Leader said about property funds, he raised his concerns at the time it was suggested going into property funds, believing it was too much of a risk for this authority. However, there is an opportunity to learn from mistakes. He asked if the Council is exposed through the financing provided to its LATCO, Fenland Future Limited (FFL), and if there will be any danger of a loss of capital or revenue from what it is lending to FFL as it is the investment vehicle for FDC.

Councillor Boden said risk is an interesting word that is much misunderstood; it is not bad; it needs to be managed; minimising risk would minimise return. This authority looks at every aspect of work and manages risk to a level, and having a risk appetite is appropriate. The LATCO will be producing a report at the end of January which will detail the company and the alternatives for its future progression. If it were not for local government reorganisation, he would have no doubt that it would have continued down the path it had been spread out some years into the future; that will now not be but will be subject to a decision made by this council.

Councillor Mrs French thanked the Leader and officers for their hard work in producing these financial statements.

Proposed by Councillor Boden, seconded by Councillor Mrs French and AGREED that the report be noted.

(Councillor Meekins left the meeting).

This report recommends formally withdrawing the Draft Fenland Local Plan (2019–2040) and beginning work on a new Local Plan under the new plan making system introduced by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.

Members considered the Local Plan Update report presented by Councillor Boden.

Councillor Booth said he does not think there is any choice in the matter, but it has taken seven years to get this far so he is sceptical that the council will deliver a new version of the local plan in two years. What is missing in the report, and what would be useful for members, is what the process entails for development of the local plan under the new regime following local government reorganisation. He also notes the costs involved although the council was able to draw on several grants to offset that, but he has discovered that about 100 local plans have been adopted since 2019. These would probably would have been started around the same time as the FDC local plan, so it is important to get a move on with this; there have been too many delays.

Councillor Mrs French said she fully supports this, she was originally against it because of cost, but the Government did keep changing the rules, and COVID-19 caused further delays. The council has received advice, but it has no choice.

Councillor Miscandlon said he is in support and agreed that COVID messed everything up. However, an up-to-date plan is needed for Fenland even under a new unitary authority.

Councillor Boden said if 100 local plans have been published as suggested, that number shows how many other authorities have not completed them and are facing difficulties with this process. He agreed with Councillor Mrs French about the cost, which is extortionate as a local plan cannot be done for less than £1m, but the council has some grant funding available and can build on reports from the previous draft local plan, so the cost will be less than that. Furthermore, Councillor Booth is correct about the speed and timing at which things should be done, but once the decision was made to recommend this course of action to full Council, officers were asked to provide comprehensive detail of what needs to be done by March 2028. Meanwhile Councillor Boden said he is sorry that this report is not what he wanted to bring before members but there is no choice because of the government changes that have only just taken place in the last few weeks.

This report seeks approval by Council of the updated Taxi policy and for it to come into force on 23 February 2026.

Members considered the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy report presented by Councillor Oliver as Chairman of the Licensing Committee.

Proposed by Councillor Oliver, seconded by Councillor Hoy and AGREED the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy for the period of 2026-2031.

(Councillors Roy, Gill and Patrick left the room for the duration of this item).

To adopt the Statement of Licensing Policy for the period 2026-2031.

Members considered the review of the Statement of Licensing Policy report presented by Councillor Oliver as Chairman of the Licensing Committee.

Proposed by Councillor Oliver, seconded by Councillor Imafidon and AGREED the Statement of Licensing Policy for the period of 2026-2031.

(Councillor Patrick left the room for the duration of this item by virtue of the fact he is a personal licence holder).