Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

An excellent U3A AGM at Childers yesterday afternoon, we were informed that there are over 230 paid up members, by far the largest community group in the area.
U3A have over 30 different groups to join in.

Well done and congratulations to the Committee Team.

Upcoming survey works

We are writing to provide an update on our proposals for a new reservoir in the Fens.  

The last time we contacted you in March 2023 was to inform you that we had published a summary of the feedback from our first phase of consultation in late 2022. 

We hope you found this useful and informative. If you haven’t yet seen the summary, you can access it here.

Since then and as per our update in February, our contractors have been accessing various parts of the site of the proposed reservoir, with the permission of landowners, to carry out surveys. 

We are now preparing for the next stage of ground investigations and non-intrusive surveys. These surveys are an essential part of our ongoing work to develop the proposals for the new reservoir. They will help us gather information and understand more about the land we could be working on and the area surrounding it.  

To facilitate the survey work, we will be setting up a site compound which you may see in the area. This is of course being done with permission of the relevant landowners. 

Please rest assured that these survey works are not a sign of construction work starting on the project. The findings from the surveys will be used to further develop our proposals and expand our knowledge of the landscape. Anglian Water and Cambridge Water do not yet have planning permission to begin construction of the reservoir. If consent is granted we do not expect construction to start until at least 2029.  

We are actively engaging with national bodies such as Natural England and the Environment Agency and the relevant local authorities to keep them informed about our proposals and any potential impacts on protected sites. We will continue to consult with these organisations throughout the process, including keeping them informed about the outcome of our surveys. Dialogue with affected landowners and residents who live on the site is also ongoing. 

Our onsite operatives undertaking the survey work will be equipped with contact cards to ensure that any queries are directed to the project team. 

Please do contact us if you have any questions or queries. 

I understand there will be a number of public present at this evenings meeting, wanting to take part in the 15 minute Public Forum.

The answer is…. I don’t know, as the majority Conservative Group had their meeting on Tuesday of this week, they would have decided who they will put forward at tonights full Town Council Meeting.

As there are 10 Conservative Councillors and 4 Independents, if all attend the meeting, the voting will be a forgone conclusion?

I did ask ? – but was informed it was – confidential. So I can have a good guess….
But like everyone else outside of that meeting – we will have to wait and see.

The tree on Scaldgate has been chopped down – what do I know about it?

From Fenland District Council.

In March 2023, we received a report that a large branch had fallen from one of the trees located on the amenity grass area at Scaldgate, Whittlesey.
During my initial visit I identified fungi but required further advice from a qualified tree surgeon.
Following their on-site inspection, Fenland District Council was advised to fell one of the trees due to the fungal decay and the increased risk of potential failure in future.
Please find attached photos showing the fungi and what remains of the branch which fell.

We were also advised to carry out work to a further tree in the same location to reduce the height and rebalance the crown.

As you know I am new to the Open Spaces Team, due to this I received advice from two officers within the Tivoli Arb Team and an experienced officer at Fenland District Council prior to completing the application to carry out tree works within a conservation area.

Popular Community Group – U3A will be holding their AGM at Childers this Thursday @ 14:00, entertainment by The Boatmen.