Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Dear Roy,
I am writing on behalf of Cambridge University Science and Policy Exchange (CUSPE). We have been commissioned by Cambridgeshire County Council to carry out an independent research project which aims to understand the impact of County Council policies on community-based initiatives, clubs and support groups, such as Whittlesea Street Pride, NHW and other groups you are involved with.

As part of our research, we are conducting an online survey to gain insight into the opinions of people that run community-based initiatives. Evidence we collect from this survey will be used to make a series of recommendations to the County Council on changes they can make to support initiatives such as your own.

We hope you will help us deliver positive change for your initiative, volunteers and service users by filling out our questionnaire, which you can access via this link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CUSPE_communitysurvey

Please pass this on to other community groups in your area.
The survey will take around 10 minutes, and many of the questions are optional. 
Finally, we would like to thank you for all the great work your group is doing, and wish you all the best during these difficult times.

Kind regards,

Alice Fletcher-Etherington
Researcher, Cambridge University Science and Policy Exchange
PhD Candidate, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research
Newnham College, University of Cambridge

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With the wearing of ‘Face Coverings’ in Shops about to come into force, yesterday whilst at ‘Morrisons’™ (Cardia) I only went to the entrance (wearing a face covering) to ask the Security Guard what ‘plans and proceedures’ they had in place – Blank – Blank – None was the answer – he had No face covering and has been given No advice as to what to do…..

Unfortunately this is the very inconsistency that ‘some’ of us are living with.
Those of us that abide by advice, laws and rules that is for the benefit of us all.
Of course the Governments Dilly Dally on Face Coverings does not help.

Enforcement which no one realy wants to see – is down to the Police – who I dare say have more important issues to deal with…..

So why not be considerate to others and wear a Face Covering in Shops & Supermarkets – you never know – you may be helping not only yourself but others too.

Face coverings to be mandatory in shops and supermarkets from 24 July. Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock spoke about plans to make face coverings mandatory in shops and supermarkets from 24 July 2020.

So all those that ‘count’ (pun) – where available for a photo-shoot at the turf cutting of the Kings Dyke Bridge project.

Amazing that our almost invisible MP Steve Barclay can make his way to Whittlesey for some feel good factor photo-shoot (publicity) but is hardly every seen (even in normal times) here in Whittlesey – (busy, busy man these days) in fact even some of his ‘very’ loyal followers are of the same opinion !!!! – Still having been involved in ‘lobbying/promoting’ the KD project since its most recent start in 2013 – I too was wavering when it all collapsed around the ‘Kier’ issues…. But hang in Cllr Count to his credit has made the promise – let us hope that nothing untoward happens near the ‘Pit’…..

At least ‘we’ Councillors are being kept up to date with progress and as it comes I’ll post up on here…as usual.

Agenda posted last week, planning is mostly/should be strait forward, but there are applications which can be both controversial and and subjective. Whether it be access or tree concerns – it is discussed and then put forward to FDC – They do not always agree with WTC Planning Committee and they are the Planning Authority.

Due to unforseen circumstances, Whittlesey Town Council Office is closed today and tomorrow (Tuesday 21st) – If there are any changes I will post here…

I have been to ‘dozens’ of meetings where residents have been up in arms about ‘parking issues’ – they never go away. For every resident that wants Yellow Lines – there is the same number who do not want them – we as activists/councillors are caught in the middle.
Fast forward, recently (before I was re-elected) Local Highway Improvements submitted to Cambs Highways included several area’s of placing of Double-Yellow Lines.

Most of these were around junctions where ‘inconsiderate parkers’ were causing problems.
It is illegal (Highway Code) to park within 10 metres of a junction (that is measured from the centre of the junction) –
The police could try and enforce – but if they issue ‘tickets’ in one area they have to be seen to be consistent and issue tickets at all junctions – not going to happen.
By placing Double Yellow Lines at junctions re-inforces the Highway Code, and makes it very clear of No Parking – easier to enforce.

No Road Tax Ramsey Road

So now we come to Ramsey Road, where under the LHI Double Yellows were (advised on the telegraph pole adjacent) painted on the junction of Braemar Gardens and Ramsey Road, as can be seen, (Noddy picture) someone parked whilst the ‘painting was going on and a bit was missed out….Sometime later that void was filled in.

Residents complained (as they have done so in other parts of Whittlesey) that the length of the Yellow Lines did not comply with the orginal specifications.

Working with the other Councillors, Cllr Mrs Windle, Mason and CCC Connor, the said non compliant Yellows were cut back to where they were supposed to have been, at CCC Highways expense.
This made 2 extra parking spaces available – delighted residents.

Sometimes Highways do make mistakes, but it is getting put right that takes time.

Yellow Lines – some want them and some don’t…..

Did Noddy get a Parking Ticket – Oh No he did not – why – because he had a friend called PC Plod – We will not get into why Noddy has been ‘banned’ by many orgaisations –

Most kids loved Noddy and his friends during the 1950’s

A short update about Noddy’s Parking Space on Ramsey Road….Later Today.

Please follow link to Jones Bros Web-Link….

https://www.jones-bros.com/careers/current-vacancies/

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