Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

As per my several previous posts on the Whittlesey Town Councillors who will NOT be standing for re-election in this coming May’s local elections.

Cllr Eamonn Dorling, who in the last elections was elected as a Conservative Whittlesey Town Councillor for the Delph Ward. In forthcoming May local elections Cllr Eamonn Dorling will not be fighting a re-election on a Conservative Party Platform – He intends to stand as Independent.
Cllr Dorling has an excellent attendance record at Town Council http://www.eamonndorling.co.uk/

So as far as I am aware, that’s it as far as Whittlesey Town Councillors NOT standing for various reasons at this coming May’s Local elections (I maybe wrong – please correct me of so) 4 not standing at all and 1 who will be standing as an Independent and 1 possible maybe….!!!

MC Retiring           RB Retiring        SG Retiring         RJ Retiring             BW !!!!!

The one question I can never get answered when this type of project comes along :-
Why does the quotation – ‘We have to spend money first in order to save money later’
£18 Million for what we keep being told is a cash strapped council – and looking at the amount of glass the building has it may need to be triple glazed to keep a degree or two in.
There maybe some arguments for more efficient buildings, but it seems (As with Peterborough Unitary Authority – moving to ‘Palatial Offices at Fletton Quays), however
I wonder in CCC’s case they’ve worked out the actual ‘increase’ in mileage that both Staff and councillors will travel weekly/monthly/yearly – if so I’d like to know.
Another point being when ever did a council project run to budget…..
Need I quote Kings Dyke Bridge……and it wasn’t ALL down to increase in the land.

I suspect and I maybe wrong…that there will be a substantial increase in mileage – of course by the time we do eventually find out 2 years after they have moved – it will be far too late in the argument to hold councillors to account for the move.
When the public paying ratepayer (who ultimately is funding the costs) are for ever having their rates increased and we’re being told how efficient our councils have become – Lean / Mean / Fighting Machines – I think Not…. and that a few pence here and there weekly increases (they use the lowest denominator) – to try and prove a point.
I work out how much does increases cost me – a year and that gives a much truer indicator of increases.
I just love the word Palatial – lovely true ring to it…..says it all.

Of course we have the ‘new’ Whittlesey Town Council’ Offices – on the horizon, I have supported this move, for the same reasons as our council, renting offices for ever and ever is not good value, and I believe the ‘Old Police Station’ came at a good price…..lets just hope the renovation work does not include anything ‘Palatial’…!!!

As per my posts on the 26th, 30th January, 09th & 16th February on the Whittlesey Town Councillors who will NOT be standing for re-election in this coming May’s local elections.
Cllr Bob Wicks who was elected as a WTC councillor for the Villages (Coates, Eastrea & Turves) at the last elections on a conservative platform. He resigned from the conservative group last year and is currently ‘sitting’ as an Independent.
Although I say he will not be standing – that is on a conservative party platform – he may well decide to stand in Mays elections on another platform.

Photo WTC/RWT Photo

As a reminder so far we have:- and more to come……

Cllr Martin Curtis      Cllr Ralph Butcher    Cllr Steve Garratt       Cllr Rita Jolley

All Photo’s WTC/RWT

Want to be part of Whittlesey Business Forum/Network with other local business people.
20190220 WHITTLESEY DISTRICT BUSINESS FORUM AGENDA February 2019

I run (2) websites the other being for my old shipping company
http://www.lof-news.co.uk as well as this one, both are using  older software and my web provider has informed me I need to make certain major updates.
It is planned that these major updates on both sites will take place this week-end and hopefully all be come back to normal.
So I doubt any posts over a few days.

The time of the meeting has been brought forward to start at 18:30
NQS PPG Agenda 250219

I am sorry to see/hear that a lady has died in a road traffic accident on the B1040 Ramsey Road/Ponderbridge. Maybe it is time for our County Councillors to have some serious talk(s)  with Cambs Highways. This stretch of road has historically had several serious accidents, until the finding by the Police Traffic investigators come up with how/why this latest incident has happened it would be Picture Terry Harris/Cambs Times©                 wrong to apportion any blame.

Most accidents are the cause of the driver, however the condition of this road doesn’t help, especially if you are not aware of the subsidence issues on this stretch of road.
For 2 years we were promised major improvements to Ramsey Road, and many including myself were to believe the whole stretch from the Ramsey Road Level Crossing to Ponderbridge was going to addressed…. however after delay/delay/delay last year some short sections of road nearby Harris Haulage Co were given a serious amount of maintenance and work, alas the money ran out and several sections of subsidence within the road still exist.
Trying to educate the driver may be a quick and cheap answer – Signs at both ends large enough to see – informing those of the risk to the motorist and the number of accidents that have occurred.
Putting in a speed limit is of no great use – as there will be little or no enforcement.
Time for this to be given serious thought – before anymore unfortunate drivers have more accidents.

As many of you know, I am very passionate about keeping our town & villages clean and safe. I have been campaigning for the best part of 20 years to have a better policy on Plastic, Glass, Paper and Polystyrene – the re-introduction of a deposit scheme similar to those used in many other countries.
I have lobbied our MP Stephen Barclay on a number of occasions, and although sympathetic has never himself driven my/our argument with any great voice.
He did tell me that the government were ‘consulting’ and they have been doing that for some considerable time (several years)
We have now reached a pivotal point where ‘the government have to make a choice (that’s after more consultations).

It was also good news to hear that ‘Waste Strategy’ is also being updated, this will include the government giving subsidies to councils for ‘Green Waste’ – we currently have a choice in Fenland whether to pay for our Green Waste to be collected.
I am pleased that many of these very important environmental issues are being give some priority – it has been a long time coming.

Today also announced that there ‘maybe’ a 1p tax on clothing, as some 300,000 tons of clothing goes into landfill ever year – a staggering amount for the UK’s insatiable desire for
new clothing….lets see where this goes.
See the excellent BBC News Website
BBC News Website

Further feedback from the full council meeting last week, my correspondent informs me that the Chair of the meeting is requesting that councillors should keep to the agenda and stop debating after a vote has been taken. The correspondent said that council meetings go on far too long and this is the responsibility of the chairman.
Planning-Agenda-18th-February-2019

As per my posts on the 26th & 30th January + 09th February on the Whittlesey Town Councillors who will NOT be standing for re-election in this coming May’s local elections.

Another very long serving Town Councillor, Mrs Rita Jolly has decided not to run or contest in the forthcoming May elections.

Rita has decided to retire from being a local councillor.
Yes I do know the reasons why all the councillors have decided to ‘retire’ – but as far as I am concerned that is their personal choice and between them and their political group.
No point in ‘Dirty Washing’ enough of that with National Politics.

Photo WTC/RWT Photo

Yes there will be more announcements of Whittlesey Town Councillors who will NOT be standing in this May elections….another next week…..You will only read it here…

So the invitation is out there for all the ‘Keyboard Warriors’ on Social Media – who have had the best part of 4 years having a go on FB© – Put up if you think you can make a difference…..We are all waiting…!!!!

As a reminder so far we have:-

Cllr Martin Curtis             Cllr Ralph Butcher          Cllr  Steve Garratt