Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

I am just getting in touch to share again the opportunity for in person training on ways to find more followers and helpers to support the work of your group.  The workshop is next Tuesday 25th March 10 am to 1 pm at Eastrea Hall near Whittlesey with a networking lunch afterwards – it is free for community groups in Cambridgeshire. 

 If you would like to book, please follow this link Attracting followers and helpers for community groups – CCVS  or email Rima@cambridgecvs.org.uk or call: 07709741962.

If you have questions about the training, please contact Chris christine@cambridgecvs.org.uk

Best Regards
Rima, Sarah and Chris

Rima Simkute (She/Her)
Fenland Development Officer

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I can arrange face-to-face meetings and phone and video calls on request.

My usual working days are Monday- Thursday 08:30-16:00, but can vary.

My phone number is 07709741962

Free events and training: 

Thursday 24 April: Fundraisers network

Thursday 8 May: Essential skills for Trustees – part 1 of 2

Thursday 15 May: Essential skills for Trustees – part 2 of 2

These events give trustees from community organisations and small charities the essential tools to perform their role safely and effectively. We recommend booking  both sessions.

Thursday 22 May: Introduction to storytelling

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For all the latest information – www.cambridgecvs.org.uk

The presentation of stories in a way that is intended to provoke public interest or excitement, at the expense of accuracy.

I have deliberately held back on Cllr Haq’s electioning campaign for the forth-coming County Council Elections – needless to say I can not support him in any form or way.
He once accused someone of character assassination. Sorry this is not my way of engaging.
There will be much more coming Dr Haq’s way should he want it – and it will be honest and truthful.
His lastest I understand in his quest for sensationalism is…..misinformation.

Roy,

I hope this is something for your blog. I am absolutely fuming about it.

Attached is a screen dump of Haq’s latest Facebook Post – which claims that SHS has been banded as ‘well below average’ by Ofsted. (His quotes not mine).  It hasn’t.  

The last report maintained its status as “good” although said it might be downgraded if it were a full inspection.  It highlights a few issues – but it certainly has not been banded as well below average. 
(A very concerned Ex Whittlesey Councillor – Conservative)

I’ve had quite a few requests for me to send/publish both minutes of last months WTC Full Council meeting and the minutes of the Johnsons liaison meeting.
After seeking advice – I will hope to publish both on this web-blog platform sometime around 22:30 tonight.

Although ‘we’ are not allowed to publish the Police Report from our Neighbourhood Sergeant, I though I’d share just a little as it is in the interest of the public.
After ‘lots’ of complaints about ‘illegal/inconsiderate parking’ \ St Mary’s Street – our Sgt has confirmed that a number of tickets have been issued.

Other good news for some…

An accident involving a female runner in the Wisbech parkrun at the weekend has prompted an inspection of the town park’s pathways.

The Mayor of Wisbech Sidney Imafidon accompanied by Fenland’s head of parks and open spaces, Phil Hughes, and Terry Leftley, a regular participant in the town’s park run, carried out an inspection of all the pathways on Monday.

The ambulance service attended and checked the woman over.

Cllr Imafidon said: “I have been calling for work to be done for months now, and although the place where this accident happened is not damaged, and it seems likely it was more of a balance issue, it led to Phil Hughes contacting me to carry out an inspection.

“We identified several areas that were in need of resurfacing and urgent attention, and looked at other ways to improve this valuable town asset.”
He continued: “Of particular concern is the bottom corner near Park Street, which is quite rough and always gets very muddy and slippery when it rains.

“It was agreed that work is needed, and Phil said he would get the contractors out to survey the area to see what needs to be done.

“We are also hoping to try to incorporate the improvements into the Fenland Council Inspire project – so it is unclear how soon the work will be carried out, but we are hoping it will be sooner rather than later.”

Cllr Imafidon posted about his park inspection to Facebook and among those to comment was a regular runner.

The woman runner, who has run in aid of charity and takes part in runs across the country, said: “The issue with this part of the parkrun course has been a concern for a long time. When I used to time keep, I saw many runners injure their ankles here, and it’s frustrating that it took a serious incident at the weekend for action to finally be taken.

“As a regular park user, I’m disappointed that concerns about safety weren’t addressed sooner.

“I hope this incident leads to real improvements, not just a reactive response, and that the council takes responsibility for properly maintaining the park to prevent further injuries.”
©Fenland Citizen

“We do the daily fitness walk around the park, and I have had a number of people come up to me complaining about the state of that area and asking for something to be done.

“I have also had mobility scooter users complain to me about it.

Dear Roy,

We were contacted by a concerned mum recently who was worried her daughter was being groomed or exploited.

The woman from Huntingdonshire said she had seen an increase in her daughter’s phone use and she had received mysterious gifts – including phones and designer goods.
The teenager’s change in behaviour had become more intense and she was being hostile when challenged.

Other calls include one from a worried dad in South Cambs, who discovered his 12-year-old daughter had been speaking to people online using a hidden phone, and a headteacher in Fenland who said a boy had confided in him that he was being exploited to sell drugs by his friend.

Cases like these are flagged up to our dedicated Child Exploitation Hub every single week and our officers work hard to safeguard children, but we can’t do it alone. You may think children aren’t exploited where you live or it won’t happen to those you know – but these cases prove differently.

Do you know the signs to spot this Child Exploitation Awareness Day?

Please take the time to speak to your children, those you care for, or family and friends, about any concerns you have. One conversation could be a start towards making a real difference.

Concerns can also be reported to us, like the parents and headteacher did here. Find out more information about child exploitation on our dedicated web pages.

Kind regards,

I don’t know whether any other Councillor spent 45+ minutes filling in this survey about planning in our area and the challenges it brings – I did and I did highlight issues around infra-sctructure – be it doctors, dentists, schools roads and transport….
Ask your Candidate when knocks on your door next time….