Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Only 4 of us in attendance, (Cllr Laws apologies)
3 Members of the public.

Mr Robert Windle exhibited a ‘promo’ display which was very colourful and effective,
not that expensive.

Main items being debated – the cost of the Hanging Baskets (70 in total) (mainly the watering contract). This years will go ahead, however it was put that with the costs becoming challenging (looking at sponsorship) – that put to full Council that there is a reduction in number of Baskets for 2027.

The High Causeway Local Highways Improvement (LHI) to have rising bollards installed is after many years of trying a No Go….because Cambs CC will not support the program.

There will be no meeting in May.

I attended as a member of the public, as I am a member of Fenland District Councils Planning Committee and take no part in WTC Planning meetings.

10 members of the public attended, including representative from the Saxongate Residents Group.
Mr Stephen Hodson spoke on the Health League Tables putting Fenland quite low down.
Mr Robert Windle, requested that the Public Forum should have taken place after Mr Rices’ presentation on the Saxon Eastern Buttress update.

Mr Stephen Rice gave a short presentation on the challenges of wet weather causing delays in the works at the Eastern Buttress works, he said that the operator hoped that the work would be conpleted within the next 12 month window.

Today I saw and spoke with two Environmental Agency Officers, installing a constant monitoring device (water quality) by the Bower/Briggate Bridge today.
It remains in place monitoring 24/7 – they couldn’t tell me how long it would remain in place.

Mr. Stephen Rice Update on the progress of Eastern buttressing works at Saxon Pit.

The meeting is open to all members of the public to attend.
There is a public forum of 15 minutes in total, however the general public will not be able to ask Mr Rice any questions during his presentation, if you have any question(s), you should contact one of the councillors who are on the WTC Planning Committee……
(picture RG)

After several members of the public contacted me and have themselves tried to report the potential safety issues of these works, I have contacted several departments at FDC and CCC that these issues maybe addressed.
This morning I saw our Street-Scene officer taking photo’s and he also has made reports.

I did stop and talk with the contractor doing some minor work on the building,
his remit was to remove all satellite dishes and associated cabling.

He was filling in some small hole and was only there for part of the day.

(Picture BW)

Little or no work has been carried out on this building since the 2025 application.

If after 3 years, work or conditions are not carried out the applicant has to re-submit their plans (at their costs).

Yesterday (Friday) at the request of Mr. Phil Hughes, I had a 2½ hour meeting in Whittlesey with him in respect of all the latest information regarding the proposed Manor Leisure Centre upgrading.
Naturally it would take a very long time to report everything but I’ll highlight the main topics, he brought with him the latest versions of the plans.

1/ There WILL now be an area designated for both male and female only changing cubicles.

2/ The main ‘sports/community’ area, will accomodate 160 ‘covers’ for fuctions, this is not far from what the main building at present will accomodate. Dancing etc.

3/ The ‘Cafe’ area will be run by ‘Freedom Leisure’ in-house, they may ‘trial‘ a dog area for those with their pooches…. Note ‘trial‘.

4/ As requested all Access Changing area’s will have grab rails and enhanced lighting.

5/ There will be several area’s for those with disabilities and wheel-chair users.

6/ There will be a very modern [expensive] pool lift which will lower/raise even those in an adapted whell-chair.

7/ The whole roof will be removed and new roof with up-to-date thermal insulation.

8/ The whole ‘Plant Room’ will be re-equipped.

9/ Target date for start of works, late September 2026 – Target date for completion late December 2027 [subject to planning approval and funding].

10/ There has been dozens of modifications taken onboard, many from the public consultations which took place.

11/ The Sports exercise equipement will be moved over to the main building, whilst construction is being carried out, and this building will be the last to be demolished, the Food Bank remains until that time.

12/ FDC Cabinet will meet this Monday to discuse the £2M Sports England funding.

Costing as Febrauary 2026 – these figures may well have changed….

Again this list was @ February 2026 and has slipped back in a couple of instances, this is not to say the targets may come forward, depending and many factors.

One meet up today is with Mr Phil Hughes, Director of Leisure @ FDC in respect of the proposed Manor Leisure Centre (proposed) Upgrading.