Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Just been somewhat busy as usual, prepare for today’s FDC Planning Meeting.
Attended FDC Planning Meeting.
2 residents issues to help out with.
Attended this evenings Whittlesey Business Community meeting.
Just now arrived home 21:30
Posting updates coming tomorrow morning.
Roy G…..

I will be attending Fenland District Council’s meeting to determine The Phoenix Youth Provision (Whittlesey) and 4 other local community groups to have the Scaldgate Building classified as an ‘Asset of Community Value’ – I have already written an e-mail in support and advising the group director of the ‘risk factors’.
Only myself and Cllr Nawaz responded in support ……all were made aware.

You can read what an Asset of Community Value is  – by Clicking Here to FDC

Eric from Gracious Street relies on his wheelchair to remain independent, he had polio as a child and has been wheelchair bound since then.
Yesterday whilst transversing High Causeway he nearly came a cropper with this missing block paving stone….why has no one else report this….as when I did, there was no history.
We wait….

Always contactable ….. Always respond/reply ….. see top toolbar for details.

Cambridge Science Park masterplan unveiled: 20,000 new jobs, triple the building space and a Park of Science open to all.

A masterplan to triple the building space on Cambridge Science Park, creating 20,000 new jobs and a new neighbourhood in the north of the city, has been unveiled.

The ambitious vision, including the creation of a ‘Park of Science’ open to all, could take 25 to 30 years to deliver in full and is expected to catapult the park’s annual economic output from £1billion to more than £3billion.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves was quick to welcome the masterplan for growth on what is the country’s oldest and largest science park, describing it as “exactly the kind of long-term, high-value investment the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor was made for”.

Read the complete article on Cambridge Independent – Click Here

Founded by Trinity College in 1970, Cambridge Science Park has a distinguished history, with inventions, drugs and innovations created on the site having a global impact.

But the University of Cambridge college says the time is right to consider its growth for the next half a century – and to ensure the site is welcoming to the wider community.

Empty properties can quickly attract anti-social behaviour (ASB), affecting not just the building but the wider neighbourhood. Evidence across the UK shows that vacant, poorly managed buildings are more likely to experience vandalism, fly-tipping, trespassing and other nuisance activity. Even one neglected property can increase local complaints and reduce how safe residents feel.

Empty buildings also signal neglect, which can encourage further disorder — often referred to as the “broken windows” effect. In contrast, occupied and well-maintained properties act as a deterrent, helping to prevent problems before they start.

One effective solution is Property Guardianship. Carefully vetted individuals live or work in vacant buildings under temporary agreements, keeping them secure, occupied and maintained. Their presence provides natural surveillance, helping to reduce unauthorised access and ASB.

How you can help

Through Neighbourhood Watch’s partnership with Ad Hoc Property Management, members can now raise concerns about empty properties in their area. Reporting a vacant building is a simple step that can help:

• Reduce anti-social behaviour and nuisance activity 
• Prevent vandalism, arson and illegal occupation 
• Improve community safety and confidence 
• Support faster action from property owners 

If you notice a vacant building that may be causing issues, you can complete a short form on the Neighbourhood Watch website. 

Report an empty building in your area | Neighbourhood Watch Network

Where appropriate, the property owner will be contacted to explore options for securing and managing the building — helping to create safer, more settled neighbourhoods for everyone.

Any income received by Neighbourhood Watch through this partnership will be used to
support our work tackling the impact of anti-social behaviour across England and Wales.

We’re halfway through the quarter and your local neighbourhood team has been tackling the issues you’ve told us matter most in March and the surrounding area.

These include tackling drug dealing and vehicle-related anti-social behaviour in March, Whittlesey and Chatteris town centres.

Where drug dealing is concerned, work has included a combination of high visibility and plain clothed patrols, stop searches, arrests, warrants resulting in class A and B substances being recovered and disruption caused to supply chains.

Officers have also proactively targeted persistent vehicle related anti-social behaviour, with enforcement activity. This has included school related parking issues, with fixed penalty notices issued where necessary.

The team have also seized numerous illegal e-bikes and e-scooters and made arrests for drink and drug driving. 

I hope this gives you a brief snapshot of some of the work the team has been doing to address the issues that matter to you. You can find out more information on our website.
If you’d like officers to focus on another issue, please look out for details of quarterly priority community meetings towards the end of June. These will be promoted via eCops and also on the Policing Fenland Facebook page.

Thank you for your support.