Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

We are very aware of the challenges of travelling around Fenland if you do not have a car.  Whilst most of you will already be aware of FACT Community Transport we want to take this opportunity to remind you about their services including the dial a ride and dial a car. It is hoped that this information is useful for you to assist residents in your wards should they be eligible for this transport.

FACT operates as a charity serving the Fenland, Huntingdonshire and East Cambs Areas of Cambridgeshire to people who have difficulties using conventional modes of transport. Their aim is to provide accessible, affordable and safe transport services. They are a membership organisation, therefore groups/individuals are required to register and meet eligibility criteria before they can benefit from the services.

Dial a Ride Service

FACT provides a door to door Dial A Ride service to individuals who cannot access conventional modes of transport and who are socially isolated. To become a member, residents have to meet a certain criteria to show they are eligible to use the services- eg cannot access public transport, have mobility issues or live in a rural area. FACT  members generally consist of the frail and elderly.  Their fleet of vehicles range from minibuses with seating capacity of 12 – 16 passengers to some vehicles being able to carry up to five wheelchair users. Residents who are eligible for a national concessionary bus pass will also benefit from free travel on these services though CPCA and FDC Concessionary travel for dial a ride policies.  The timetables for the dial a ride services are attached for reference.

Dial  A Car Service

FACT also have cars carrying one wheelchair user/two passengers.  The cars are for their Dial A Car service, members can use the Dial A Car for services such as medical appointments.  As with the dial a ride, customers have to meet the FACT eligibility requirements. The customer also has to pay for the journey using the dial a car.

All drivers are trained to a nationally recognised standard –​ MiDAS (Minibus ​Driver ​Awareness cheme) which is administered nationally by the Communtiy Transport Association UK (CTA).   

For further information on all services FACT provide, please refer to their website www.fact-cambs.sch.uk

Probably one of the most complaints I get – as I’ve said and make no excuses – it is emotive – Most want to park right outside their house whether or not it is legal to do so.
Every time ‘we’ Councillors ask for help from our Policing Team – and they do give out tickets – more complaints from those who is on the receiving end.
I feel for those who are less mobile and need to park close to their homes – they can apply for a ‘Disabled Bay’ but it will not belong to them exclusively.
Complaints every week about parking outside and nearby schools.

Seven tickets issued during parking patrols.

🚘Parking on a single yellow line during specified hours

🚘Parking on a junction

🚘Parking on the pavement in a way which puts pedestrians at risk

These are all examples of obstructive parking which could result in you being issued a parking ticket!

Last week, two of our PCSOs were out and about in March, Manea and Whittlesey, and issued a total of seven tickets.

Want to avoid returning to a ticket from us? There are plenty of free car parks and areas to park, even if it means you have to walk a little further to your destination.

We will continue these patrols when we can. If you have any concerns about area, you can let us know here.

Hello Roy, 
Unbelievable another tax rise,  for the Police, when  here in Whittlesey  we have no police station, along with other towns,  you only see  the police in Whittlesey on Straw Bear Day, and Whittlesey Weekend, why should  our council tax  be used on  services that we do not receive, they call that fraud.

Done this many times now…
1) Less than 20% of the eletorate voted during elections of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
2) PCC main job (we are constantly informed) to hold the Chief Constable to account and provide the resources for our police to operate.

Some 10 days ago, when I understand mayheim erupted due to certain elements of the community causing anti-social behaviour, theft and hare-coursing in Fenland – the Police were slow to react and when a hastily meeting was arranged and attended by all the big shots – did a message get through to the Cheif Constable – and for several days afterwards we’ve been updated with now 8 arrests being made…..surprised.

©PT – Cambridgeshire and Peterborough police and crime commissioner ‘left with little to no choice’ to increase tax by 5%

A police and crime panel unanimously supported the precept increase

The next full Whittlesey Town Council meeting is due to be held on Thursday 20th February @ 18:30 – Council Chamber – Peel House – Queen Street.
An Agenda will be published later this week.

The rain and cold never puts these volunteers off from attending whatever the weather

A dismal morning indeed, but no lack of enthusiasm from our 17 volunteers who attended. A fine array of litter was collected including redundant umbrella’s and some gas bottles. We still managed to collect 27 bags of litter, 12 being distributed about town for collection other than seen here, elsewhere. Well done to all those attended.

The next litter pick will be on Saturday 22^nd February 10am Lattersey Nature Reserve – Meet in the nature reserves car park

©SP

I can remember that for some 15+ years various councillors at WTC & FDC
(All credit to them) have tried to get our Bus Service to serve the community better.
and more frequently – Not one unfortunately has had any success – a vast uphill struggle – which I say I did not get very involved in
(no one asked me too).

Now with the impending departure/retirement of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) mayor Dr Nik Johnson has chosen to franchise the region’s bus system.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayor Dr Nik Johnson will not run for re-election in May.

Like him or not he has delivered (some projects for Fenland & Whittlesey)and he did not withold money promised by the previous Conservative Mayor – for (a) Kings Dyke Crossing and (b) the £1M set aside for each market town – Whittlesey used theirs for (The defuncted Heritage Centre) the Heritage Walk, enhancements to the Manor Field and Swimming Pool and financing for the ‘Relief Road’ inception plans etc to name a some…so yes I dare say on reflection we did get quite a few things.

Ponient comments made by Mayor Johnson – which I can identify and sympathise with is the following.

That said, none of this has been easy, and I have had to contend with no shortage of challenge, conflict, and controversy along the way, all of which have taken a very heavy toll, personally, professionally, and most of all, physically.

          

Woman living with HIV working from her home living room on a laptop

NHS Digital Survey Report

We are pleased to present the findings of our Digital Enablers Survey, conducted on behalf of the NHS, which captured valuable feedback from the community on the future of digital access to health and care services.

A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and ideas. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping how digital tools can better support people across our area. The responses from this survey will help inform the procurement specification, which will guide the next steps in developing a new digital front door.

We appreciate all your contributions.

Click Here For Report

Fenland and East Cambridgeshire Health and Care Forum

Thursday 13th February 2025,
10.00am – 12.00pm
Queen Mary Centre
Queens Road, Wisbech, PE13 2PE

Click Here For Details

Need to book a place – easily done click link above.