As predicted in my earlier post – after representation by both the agent for Saxon Mr. Rice and by Alan Bessant (Saxongate) – Cambs CC Planning have approved the application – with conditions.
For this decision to be made – is only fair that the meeting is seen in full on Cambs CC Web Portal Click Here…
Mr. Rice Mr Bessant
Items not in planning consideration for this application.
Another very important day for Whittlesey residents – especially those who live nearby the Saxon Works.
The application has been in the pipeline for some considerable time, and is a ‘minerals and waste’ application and therefor dealt with by County Council.
I have placed the documents below – they are a good 30 minute read if you want to view all the details.
The Officers @ CCC are recommending to CCC Planning committee that the application be approved (with conditions attached).
A total of 31 individual objections were received and another 6 from The Saxongate Residents Group + 1 from Whittlesey Town Council (a duplicate of one of Saxongates)
I understand that 2 representatives from Saxongate will be attending the meeting.
Unfortunately I am unable to attend by plan to view on the livestream. Click Here To View
CCC-24-048-FUL Metal Recycling Facility at Saxon Works, Peterborough Road, Whittlesey PE7 1PJ
Whittlesey Community Movie Event Queen St Church – Saturday 15th Feb.
Doors open 6.30 for 7pm start.
“The Hundred Foot Journey” Stars Helen Mirren
An uplifting and feel good comedy bursting with flavour, passion and heart.
When the icy proprietress (Mirren) of a Michelin starred French restaurant in the quaint village of Saint Antonin-Noble-Val gets wind of the Kadam family opening an Indian restaurant just 100 feet from her own, her protests escalate to all out war between the two establishments. But as these two worlds collide, despite their different tastes they find an unlikely source of compromise that will change both sides forever.
No admission charges are made for these regular winter events with refreshments served during an interval.
Donations are much appreciated to offset operating expenses.
Card transactions now available if preferred.
If you value “cinema” events in your Town and would like them to continue, please try to come along.
Your smiling faces when attending encourage us to continue!
We really value your support!
For information only,
I continue to progress repairs to Whittlesey Highway Electronic Information Board at A605/Peterborough Road/Plough Road ‘T’ junction.
From around the beginning of December 2024 this board has been in ‘melt down’.
Currently, no firm date as yet.
TMC Contractors have the parts required on order and Sophie who manages the VMS unit in the TMC has requested that she is informed the moment the parts arrive at Swarco’s Depot.
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
FACT West 2025-01Probably 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
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s police and crime commissioner has defended his proposal to increase the policing precept for 2025/26 and says he was “left with little to no choice”.
PCC Darryl Preston “reluctantly” proposed the increase for taxpayers last month, which would equate to an increase of 27p per week for Band D properties, around £14 per year more than 2024/25.
A survey which sought the views of members of the public saw 865 validated responses, with 17% holding a neutral stance on increasing the precept, while 67% were generally supportive of the increase and 16% were generally unsupportive.
The Cambridgeshire police and crime panel met in Peterborough on Wednesday, February 5 to discuss and review the proposed 4.9% increase in the policing precept which residents would pay as part of their council tax.
PCC Preston told the panel: “I’m here today coming to you with a proposal around increasing tax of our local residents. It’s not something any of us take lightly, it’s a very serious responsibility that I have, particularly in light of current economic conditions.
“It’s worthy of note that I’m not aware of any other police and crime commissioner who has not gone to their panel requesting the maximum amount.”
The crime commissioner emphasised the fact that Cambridgeshire Constabulary is the fourth lowest funded force in the country and argued it may even be lower due to an “outdated and unfair” funding formula.
He added: “Based upon the funding we have received from government, I’m left with little to no choice but to propose an increase in the precept to the maximum allowed.”
Councillor Susan Wallwork of Fenland District Council asked the crime commissioner if the precept increase is just a case of “filling the pot” and not using it to improve the service.
PCC Preston explained that the increase is a case of “paying to maintain” the service.
Being honest with the public, this isn’t bringing a significant amount of additionality,” he said.
The police and crime panel voted unanimously to support the increase in the precept, which is expected to generate £92.6 million and enable the force to balance its budget.
The net total policing grant from the government for Cambridgeshire for 2025/26 is provisionally around £115.8m. With the increased precept, this would leave the force with total funding of £208.5m.
RG Note :- It would be unfair for me to make critical comment(s) as I am Chairman of Whittlesey & District Neighbourhood Watch and we are here to support our community and police the best way we can…
That said – we do tend to get the same old story year after year be it from Mr Preston or his predesessors – and it only equating to X Pence a week doesn’t wash with most.
Why not make your thoughts know to Mr Preston. Click Here
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) is a separate organisation to Cambridgeshire Constabulary.
For all general enquiries for Cambridgeshire Constabulary, please call their main switchboard on 101.
Please note, by law the Commissioner that cannot interfere in operational policing or demand the Chief Constable changes how they use their policing resources. The OPCC cannot provide updates on how a crime is being investigated. If your enquiry is about an operational policing matter, please contact the Constabulary directly.
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 22nd February 10am Lattersey Nature Reserve – Meet in the nature reserves car park
©SP
It was a weekend of seizing vehicles and patrolling the rural areas of the county for our Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT).
Here’s what they got up to:
🚜Patrolled and spoke to farmers in Sutton Gault, Fowlmere, Orwell and Wimpole
🚗Seized a car in Coldham due to the car having an invalid MOT and the driver being uninsured. They have been reported for the offences
🚘Stopped a car in Thorney which had been linked to thefts in neighbouring counties. Checks on our system revealed the driver had an expired licence and no insurance, resulting in the car being seized and the driver reported
🚔Attended calls for concerns of hare coursing in Doddington and Sutton. Those involved were stopped and spoken to, but given words of advice after no hare coursing equipment was found in the vehicles
It was great to hear positive feedback from those we spoke to. If you see us out and about and wish to make us aware of any concerns, then please stop and talk to us!
Alternatively, you can report any incidents to us by calling 101 or online. Always call 999 if you believe a crime is in progress or someone is in immediate danger.
