Fenland
Fenland is a local government district in Cambridgeshire, England. Its council is based in March, and covers the neighbouring market towns of Chatteris, Whittlesey, and Wisbech, often called the "capital of the fens".[1] The district covers around 500 square kilometres of mostly agricultural land in the extremely flat Fens.
It was formed on 1 April 1974, with the merger of the Borough of Wisbech, Chatteris Urban District, March Urban District, Whittlesey Urban District, North Witchford Rural District and Wisbech Rural District.[2]
Politics
Fenland District Council is elected every four years, with currently 40 councillors being elected at each election. Since 1976 the Conservative party has held control of the party, apart from a period after 1995 when Labour had control, but the Conservatives regained a majority at the 1999 election. As of the 2011 election the council is composed of the following councillors:-[3]
Economy
The Fenland economy has for years been built upon farming and food related industry. The food industry is now well established, and related processing, storage, packaging and distribution has become more sophisticated and diverse. The predominantly rural economy of the area has also included a strong industrial tradition, including brick making, printing and engineering, but many Fenland residents already travel outside the area to work.
As growth of the local economy from Cambridge continues, the pressure for outsourcing of industry, housing and jobs is expected to move northwards. Chatteris will be given priority for economic regeneration in the Cambridge sub-region and further housing allocations will be dependent on improving job prospects.
Twinning
Fenland is twinned with:
See also
References
External links
Fenland District Council
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