Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

The proposed Mega Incinerator planned for Wisbech would be a “catastrophe” for the town, campaigners have said.
Why would this affect us in Whittlesey.

1/ There would be a good possibility that any waste (IBA – Incinerator Bottom Ash) would be processed at facilities already running from the Saxon Pit area.

2/ A vast increase in our already overloaded HGV’s passing along the A605, resulting in more pollutants and carbon.

Fenland District Council says it will not allow the developer behind the planned mega-incinerator for Wisbech access across land it owns.

The district council has been one of the leading opponents of MVV Environment Ltd’s plans for the 54-megawatt burner on a site off Algores Way.

Now the authority has reiterated to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, that it will not voluntarily allow ‘a right of access over Algores Way’ which is needed by the applicant behind the Medworth Scheme to build the incinerator.

A decision from the Secretary of State is due by Wednesday, February 21st.
In a statement issued this week the council said: “Fenland District Council has maintained its strong objection to the proposed Wisbech incinerator after the Secretary of State deciding the plan asked for an updated position on a specific aspect.”

In its reply, the council said: “Fenland District Council maintains its strong objection in principle to the proposed Medworth Scheme which reflects the significant concerns of the local community.

 

The council has been asked to update on its position regarding ‘a right of access over Algores Way,’ which is required by the applicant to carry out the plan.

“The council will not voluntarily give Temporary Possession Rights to the applicant given the council’s objection in principle to the development.

“The applicant is fully aware of this and hence the applicant has not made an approach to reach an agreement.”

RG Note : I strongly support the Wisbech Town Council, the residents group Wisbech Without Incineration (WisWIN)  and FDC in their objections to this proposal.

What was supposed to be a cost cuttung exercise – will now in fact cost us more…
They didn’t save what they thought they would, and actually increased their Carbon Footprint…..

We didn’t get this right’ admits county council over policy to end chemical weed killing.

At a meeting on Tuesday, council officers apologised for the way the policy change was handled and admitted the county council did not engage effectively with other councils and people in the county.

Chemical weed killing is due to start again across Fenland and the rest of the county after Cambridgeshire County Council admitted it had ‘not got it right’ on its policy.

The authority stopped using chemical weed killers last year, instead planning to only physically remove weeds if they “presented a hazard or nuisance” to people.

The county council said at the time of the change that it would save the authority £120,000 a year, would reduce its carbon footprint, and would reduce the use of “potentially harmful chemicals”.

Read the full story –  The Fenland Citizen

I complained, Whittlesey Town Council Complained, Fenland District Council Complained.

Bill & Ben & Weed

Sunstantial reading to say the least – for our County Councillor Boden to read through.
The Cambridge & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) funds major infrastucture projects and transport.
I’ve just highlighted one item on the busy agenda.

You can visit the CPCA Website and view all the paperwork. Click Here

Entries close for the Fenland Poet Laureate Awards at the end of January, so in about a week’s time. The FPL Awards are one of the county’s most prestigious literary events.

Thank you to those who have already helped with publicity, but please could you share info about the competition among your groups or contacts for one last push!

https://www.fenland.gov.uk/article/17702/Fenland-Poet-Laureate-Award

(picture – for illustration only)

👉 All shortlisted poets and winners will have their poems published in a keepsake anthology.

👉 Winners (1st, 2nd & 3rd in each category) will receive a beautiful trophy, kindly sponsored by Etec.

👉 All shortlisted poets and winners will have the opportunity to read their poems at a ceremony in March Town Hall, in association with 20Twenty Productions and FDC.

👉 All entrants are welcome to be part of the Awards Ceremony, attended by special guests.

👉 Throughout the year, there will be opportunities for winners and shortlisted poets to take part in special events.

Please circulate widely! Young Fenland Poet Laureate entries are particularly low this year.

Kind regards,

Elisabeth

(Cllr Elisabeth Sennitt-Clough)

To close the B1040 between East Delph & the Dog-on-a-Doulet owing to the next storm moving in to our area.

Predicting winds between 40 – 50 mph, heavy rainfalls until the end of this week and flooding expected.

Environment Agency and CCC Emergency Highways team are fully aware B1040 flood gates are damaged and require repairs, therefore alternative road blocks are being considered – all thanks to irresponsible drivers continually cutting through chains/padlocks,  taking both gates off their hinges and damaging the support structures.

WISBECHPARKPAVILION - AA230124

Sir Graham Bright was the first elected Police & Crime Commisioner for Cambridgeshire.
He sadly paased away on the 19th January.
I met Sir Graham on several occasions and found him very open and transparent.

He set the bar for future PCC’s none of whom I would say have reached that bar (yet).
His political career which spanned over 50 years, from his time as a councillor to being a member of parliament and subsequently police and crime commissioner between 2012 and 2016, I found that he welcomed everyones input and sought to encourage debate.
RIP