Fenland now has one of the largest Bulgarian communities in the East of England for a and only Boston outside of a large town/ city has more Bulgarian people. Latest figures are revealed in a report to be presented to Fenland District Council on December 16 by portfolio holder Cllr Susan Wallwork.
In an update from the Fenland Diverse Communities Forum – tasked with delivering the Community Cohesion Action Plan – she says its work involves addressing “the cultural and structural inequalities around diversity and gain representation on local matters from all parts of our communities”.
Cllr Wallwork says that in Fenland of the 20,640 with settled status (the last quarter showed 20,080 people) of these 6,230 people were from Lithuania and 5,730 people from Bulgaria.
“We have one of the largest Bulgarian communities in the East of England for a district council and only Boston outside of a large town/ city has more Bulgarian people,” she says.
“From the figures and feedback from the community the Bulgarian population continues to grow, and anecdotal information also states that many Bulgarians are relocating to Fenland from other areas.
“These numbers are not included in this information as they may have gained settled status elsewhere in the UK.”
Cllr Wallwork says members of the Diverse Communities Forum (DCF) assist and have supported Western/ Eastern European communities to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme who otherwise were unable to apply due to lack of language, literacy or computer skills and would not have been able to apply.
“The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) is a registration process for EU nationals and their family members who wish to stay in the UK after the UK left the EU,” she says.
“All EU nationals who do not have British citizenship will need to apply for settled status.”
Cllr Wallwork says: “The EU Settlement Scheme (also referred to as Indefinite Leave to Remain) allows people who came here from Europe prior to BREXIT to continue to live, work and study here in the UK.
“It also means that they continue to be eligible for public services, such as healthcare and schools, public funds and pensions and British citizenship if they want to apply and meet the requirements.”
The latest local quarterly figures show the numbers of people who have obtained settled status in Fenland and other local authorities nearby:
Cambridge City Council– 35,340 – very high numbers of Italians – previous quarter 34,710 people.
East Cambridgeshire District Council – 8,560 previous quarter 8140.
West Norfolk and King’s Lynn Borough Council – 15,000 previous quarter 14,540.
Peterborough City Council – Peterborough – 75,150 previous quarter 74,350 people.
South Cambridgeshire District Council – 14,400 previous quarter 14,010.
South Holland District Council – 21,200 previous quarter 20,820.
Cllr Wallwork says: “If people do have settled status, then they can then be out of the UK for 5 years (4 years if they are Swiss) without losing their status.
“Returning to the UK for visits will ‘reset the clock’ so they can be away for a further 5 (or 4 if you are Swiss) years – people need to carefully keep the evidence of returning to the UK or they can lose this status/ right to remain in the UK.”
Her report highlights that Fenland Council and its partners “are keen to engage with local community groups, including Black Minority Ethnic and perceived hard to reach groups.
“Members of the forum continue to work to minimise community tension and build community cohesion.
“Members have demonstratable knowledge, experience and expertise in equality and diversity issues so they can make a significant contribution to the work of the partnership, 24 minimise any potential duplication of effort and maximise and focus on agreed partnership outcomes.
“The forum provides ongoing links with and between partners in the statutory, community and voluntary services as well as faith groups”.
Cllr Wallwork says the forum also helps celebrate and raise awareness of many key dates such as Diwali, LGBT, Black History & Gypsy Roma Traveller Months, Hate Crime Awareness Week and other key days throughout the year.
