Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

A number of customers have reported a phishing email regarding an order they haven’t placed. If you think you’ve been sent one, please do not provide any personal details and forward it to phishing@tesco.com. For help staying safe online visit tes.co/email-scams
or https://www.tesco.com/help/privacy-and-cookies/privacy-centre/stay-safe-online/protect-yourself-from-email-scams/

At Fenland District Council, there is a group of Street Scene Officers, their remit initially was to deal with Littering, Fly-Tipping and Abandoned vehicles, they were supplied with ‘electric bicycles’ (hardly ever used -Elf & Safety Issues) at over £1,000 each.
They were to cover each market town and work with local councils and community groups.
Over the past 10 years, their success has been somewhat scant to say the least – one or two having difficulties in how the law stands in conjunction with (PACE – Police and Criminal Evidence Act) and few offenders were ever taken successfully to court.
FDC then decided to trial ‘The Kingdom Group’™ a private organisation which Peterborough City Council employed with some success.
So we’re now told –
Private enforcement officers to continue operating in Fenland after ‘successful’ pilot
See article in Cambs Times© Click Here
I am somewhat confused, having met some of the Kingdom™ employee’s on their rare occasions they visit Whittlesey – (in a previous post – they asked me what was the best place to find people littering!) – They informed me that they were not employed on a Bonus Scheme – whereby the more they catch the more they are paid.
From reading the article it appears there is NO cost to the council (FDC) – so how do Kingdom™ manage to operate!

The enforcement has not only acted as a successful deterrent and helped keep our district cleaner at no extra cost to the council, but it has also raised awareness about littering and the harm it can cause to our environment.

I am very happy indeed if Kingdom™ catch more and more people who carry out anti-social environmental issues – but why then do we still have and pay for Street Scene Officers – and question – what-ever happened to their wonderful electric bikes….
Our appointed Street Scene Officer I must say is very helpful but only works part time.
I would have thought that if the ‘trialled’ success of Kingdom was so good – then the need for 5 or 6 Street Scene Officers was no longer needed?

I am first to support any initiative to bring offenders to be prosecuted – and would appear that The Kingdom Group have had a lot more success than our Street Scene Officers/FDC Legal Department.

01 Mar 19            14.30-15.30pm                 Horsefair, Wisbech
14 Mar 19            09.30-10.30am                 Parson Drove Post Office, The Bank
18 Mar 19            1.30-3.30pm                      Aldi, Bridge Street, Chatteris
18 Mar 19            10.00-12.00am                 Sainsbury, Mill View, March 
19 Mar 19            09.30-10.30am                 Londis, High Road, Gorefield
19 Mar 19         10.00am-12.00pm      Whittlesey Library, Broad Street,
27 Mar 19            10.00-11.00am                 Meat & Eat Café, High Street, Manea

PCSO Carol Holloway 7165

Are you aware of the Momo challenge?

Momo is a creepy doll-like figure which is said to appear in social media, videos and games online, encouraging children to add a contact on WhatsApp. It then sends them violent images and dangerous dares.

Recent UK media reports have linked the Momo challenge to self-harm and suicide. However, there are relatively few reports of children having participated in the challenge, and it’s unclear as to the extent of the concern. What is clear, is that a lot of people are worried about it, but instances of harm seem very rare.

The Momo challenge is not new, having appeared around the world during the summer of last year, it appears that an incident in Scotland involving an 8 year old boy may have been seized upon by mainstream UK newspapers.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland have suggested that amongst those behind the Momo challenge, may be cyber criminals intent of obtaining personal information.

Kidscape a national charity to prevent bullying and harm to young people, they have prepared some online advice to parents in relation to the Momo challenge.

www.kidscape.org.uk/news/2019/february/the-momo-challenge-what-parents-need-to-know/
Please note, this is not an official Cambridgeshire Police comment on the Momo challenge, but as Cyber Ambassadors you may or may not be asked about it during your presentation.

See also The Guardian’ – Parents: don’t panic about Momo – worry about YouTube Kids Instead.
One turns out to be a viral hoax. The other is a major platform that is still rife with distressing and disturbing content…

Read The Guardian article: The Guardian Feb 28th

Here is the timetable for all those ‘keyboard warriors’ who have a lot to say about local council(s) & councillors….this maybe your opportunity to have a real say in how our Town progresses in the future. The conservative party (well organised as the are) are ready with their candidates to make a stand in Whittlesey, The Green Party is still canvassing for candidates and one or two Labour candidates have started canvassing.
The opportunity is to give the electorate a ‘choice’ it is their decision – win or lose you will have given the electorate a demographic process which our country is proud of.

ELECTION TIMETABLE 2019 

• Notice of Election – 19 March
• Nominations start from 20 March from 9.15am – 4.45pm Monday to Thursday and 9.15am – 4:30pm on Friday
• Poll cards – 26 March
• Nominations Close – 4pm on 3 April
• Withdrawals – 4pm 3 April
• Statement of Persons Nominated – 4pm 4 April
• Last date to register – 12 April
• Postal Vote Applications – 5pm 15 April
• Postal vote packs Sent – 17 April
• Proxy Voting Applications – 5pm 24 April
• 
  For any further information, please contact elections@fenland.gov.uk

Blighting not only our landscape, but a danger to humans and animals… this near Kings Dyke, fortunately Cllr Chris Harper (Stanground South) is on the case.

Large quantity of use/spent Cannabis Plants found and removed, this is a pretty usual event, with regular NHW members reporting over several years, it take a while sometimes for the authorities to remove the bags.
In conjunction with water bailiffs your local neighbourhood team recovered a high quantity of cannabis from a river today near Whittlesey.

Investigations continue into identify who discarded these items and we will be knocking on their door in the near future. If these are yours and you would like to speak to us sooner then please feel free to contact us on 101 or via private message.

For anyone who would like to take up the new found hobby of drug fishing, don’t waste your time we have already got it all! #FenlandNPT #OpRaptor #7172 #0489

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’…!!!