Fenland Council will meet to consider a range of financial and economic matters, including a motion to approve an addendum to the Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy, a mid-year review of the council's treasury management activity, and a refresh to the council's Economic Growth Strategy. They are also expected to approve a new Statement of Principles under Section 349 of the Gambling Act 2005.

Fenland Council's finances

Councillors will be asked to approve an addendum to the Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy, which sets out the council's budget plans for the next four years. The addendum is necessary because the government has recently announced changes to the way that local government finances will be calculated in future years. Councillors will also be asked to consider a report on the council's treasury management activity for the first half of the 2024/25 financial year. The report will update councillors on the council's investment portfolio and borrowing activity.

The Council's Economic Growth Strategy 2025-2028

The Council is expected to consider a report on the refresh of the Economic Growth Strategy. The report sets out the council's ambition to:

...support our businesses to thrive and grow, and to make Fenland an even more attractive place to live, work, visit and invest.

The strategy identifies four key priorities for the council:

• Growing the local economy
• Improving skills and productivity
• Supporting businesses
• Making Fenland a more attractive place to live, work and visit

The Gambling Act 2005

The Council will be asked to approve a new Statement of Principles under Section 349 of the Gambling Act 2005¹. The Statement of Principles sets out how the Council will aim to prevent gambling from being a source of crime and disorder, ensure that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way, and protect children and other vulnerable people from being harmed by gambling.