Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

We have all heard….. Never see the Police around for some considerable time.
We have all read …… Reasons from The Chief Constable, Police & Crime Commissioner and Local Policing Teams the way that ‘Policing and Crime is changing in this modern day.
I attend dozens of meetings a year with various parts of the criminal justice system and fully understand ‘some’ of the issues’ our Police force are encountering.
I’ll not bore you with statistics – there are a lot – the most impacting (That is also true of Health Care funding in Cambs) being we are the 3rd lowest funded area in England from Central Government. I think it is the duty of ALL our MP’s representing our County to press for a fairer share.
I am told that if we were to receive more money another County would get less.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Myself and Robin Sutton (NHW Secretary) will attend Peterborough NHW AGM at Cardea. We hope to meet up with our senior officers covering Fenland.
Peterborough of course has plenty of its own problems – but that should not stop us from trying to get our points over.

Latest news-letter from Cambridgeshire Police & Crime Commissioner
Click on the link below:

http://www.cambridgeshire-pcc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Connect-Newsletter-May-2018.pdf

Latest e- news-letter from National NHW Supporters
Click on the link below:

https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/NWN-Newsletter-APRIL-MAY-2018.pdf

Disclaimer: These observations are not the ‘official’ minutes of the meeting, these are supplied by Whittlesey Town Council, normally (1) month following the meeting and can be viewed on their website.
I have corrected (2) items regarding Cllrs who attended below in Red.

Agenda to this meeting was published on this site – 09th May
12 Councillors in attendance Cllr Whitwell was in attendance – Cllr Curtis arrived late – absent, Wicks + Garratt (No apology)
11 members of the public in attendance.

Outgoing Mayor Cllr Ralph Butcher presented a cheque to The British Heart Foundation.
This meeting incorporates the AGM of the Parish of Whittlesey, which is conducted before the main meeting.
As in the past not a great deal was discussed – there is a public forum but no one spoke at this time.

At the main meeting:

1/ Cllr Julie Windle was elected as Mayor of Whittlesey for the coming year, her husband Robert will be her consort.
2/ Cllr David Mason was elected as Deputy Mayor for the coming year.
3/ Police matters, (no police in attendance) – a good discussion took place about ‘Parking Issues/Concerns especially that ‘illegal parking’ – feedback from the Neighbourhood Sergeant was not very positive, that said, it is understood that Police resources are limited.
(I have covered this and will do so again) – various options were considered including writing to the Chief Constable.
The issue of ‘Heron Foods’™ having to ‘Park on the A605’ to make deliveries was again addressed and was of concern.
4/ Various reports which will come in Part II – later.
5/ At the public forum, (limit 15 minutes in total) – Mr Stephen Hodson informed the council of impending new planning regulations coming into force – and he wished that the Whittlesey Business Forum would be included in the list of ‘Stakeholders’ for the impending ‘Masterplan’ (Whittlesey).
Mr Peter Baxter – delivered his concerns of upgrading of the Water Tower recreation play equipment – in that little or no debate on 10,000+ vehicles passing by – polluting gasses and particulates has been given little no weight. Children especially he noted were more at risk.
RG – I reconfirmed the arguments made earlier about Parking/Traffic concerns in Whittlesey, the possible options including ‘Civil Enforcement’ – I and many realise the situation is and will only get worse. I quoted that Hampton had employed their own Civil Enforcement Officer to cover a variety or roles – not just parking.
What is the point of Double Yellow Lines – if it can not be enforced.
I asked for an update on the Saxon Pit concerns to be covered in Ward Matters – later.
I pointed out that recently the WTC website is not updated in a timely way – appreciating that the Clerk works limited hours and that their website is administered by a 3rd party.
There are simple solutions and the public rely on ‘official websites’ for accurate information.
Mr Robin Sutton gave a good presentation about WTC adopting ‘Green Dog Walkers

‘CCC  David Connor’ gave an update on the Kings Dyke Crossing – Some progress is moving forward – The test bore-holes samples proved all clear and no concerns flagged
All being well – he informed that subject to the detailed plans and costs –  construction (should) start in October 2018

6/ Debate and discussion took place on WTC finances and the way they are being reported.
The official auditor praised the council on its submission.

7/ Other business:
Must Farm ; Members were not happy with the consultants reports, and have asked them to go back and make the Must Farm project its priority.
Green Dog Walkers ; Cllr D Laws informed the council of the initiative to encourage a Green Dog Walkers campaign (also promoted by Robin Sutton earlier) – no cost to the council.
Neighbourhood Plan ; Cllr D Laws informed that an appetite for more housing and development may be considered – however this would need to go out to public consultation
she stated that if the wishes of the electorate/residents were for no further ‘increase’ above that which is already planned – then the council must abide by those wishes – this will cause some delay in the overall delivery of the NP.
Property Working Group ; The ‘new’ council offices (Old Police Station) council are looking for a name of the building and will be asking local schools/children for their input.
Community Rail Partnership ; Cllr Alan Bristow updated council on the recent public consultations held in Whittlesey and that he thought the majority of those he had spoken too – preferred ‘Option 2’ (This was well covered in an earlier posting on this site)
Syrian Refugees ; Cllr David Mason informed that they had received donations of furniture, bedding and curtains etc.
Kings Dyke Layby ; Cllr Ralph Butcher informed that various partners/stakeholders had been contacted in respect of the HGV’s using the Layby and the ongoing (years) of drivers toileting the site, leaving bottles of urine and human excrement around the area.
The police, our MP, Cambs Highways, Fenland District Council are just a few who have been contacted and meetings are to take place to seek a way of addressing the issues/concerns.
Ward Matters ; Cllr Chris Bodden, did answer my request about the issues (on-going) of None conforming (none hazardous) waste being found at the Saxon Brickworks.
The Environment Agency are still awaiting some test results – he had been contacted recently about the ‘smell’ returning and though that this ‘could’ be when the operator was removing the ‘suspected materials’.
He thought that the EA would be taking some form of action against the operator – but noting nothing specific has been received to date.

Next meeting 13th June 2018

e&oe Roy Gerstner.

(l) Mayor Cllr Julie Windle with (r) Consort Robert Windle

On the 20th May – my wife Connie will be taking part in a Charity Walk for the ‘Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice’ – the walk will be 5 miles and she is looking for our community to help fund-raise for this event.
She has done other events the most demanding was an abseil down the ‘Woolworth Building in Peterborough.
If you would like to sponsor Connie and donate as much or as little as you can to a very worthy organisation , who I am sure we know of someone or family that have benefitted by these fantastic people….
You can do so by visiting Just Giving website

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/connie-gerstner

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Connie-Gerstner

Correction to my original article (I was away at the time)
There was notification on the WTC Website – which advertised the closure at 22:30

Residents going to or returning from Peterborough last night at 10pm was greeted by the road being blocked off and closed – drivers told the man doing the closure that it had been advertised for 10:30 to which his answer was ‘I couldn’t give a toss I’m closing the road’
By now there was 20+ vehicles from the Peterborough side all somewhat upset and angry at the attitude of the man carrying out the job.
When drivers said they would remove the barriers – he threatened them with photographs and police action, by this time – drivers from the Whittlesey side had already removed the barriers from that side –
Jobsworth man shouting to people they would have to do the detour – by now too late.
Some phone calls later, he blamed Anglian Water for the misunderstanding.

I have seen the notices – advertising this closure.

Well on this occasion people power won the day – unfortunately my correspondent(s) did not take any photographs of the incident – or Mr Jobsworth.
Maybe our Town Councillors should investigate this incident there are Health & Safety issues on both sides of the argument and if as reported ask Anglian Water for a full apology… (Blaming the contractor of course).

Here below is the agenda for this Wednesday’s Full WTC meeting, there are several items on the agenda, of importance, some of which decisions have already been made prior to this meeting……
I am hoping to attend.
Annual-meeting-Agenda-9th-May-2018-1

The open day at Lattersey Nature Reserve went well I understand, I did go out ‘Litter-Picking’ but my access to the field was a bit muddy so didn’t go in.

[metaslider id=”7532″]

Tony & Deirdre Poynder left Whittlesey @ 30 Ramsey Road over 30 years ago.
Tony was a Navigating Officer in the Merchant Navy, he moved to work with Townsend Thoresen Ferries out of Dover.
He was the Liaison Officer on the ‘Herald of Free Enterprise’ – fortunately he was not on duty on the night of 6th March 1987 when disaster struck when the ferry capsized due to the bow doors being left open, killing 193 passengers and crew.
Tony continued to work for P&O Ferries until the mid-90’s when he took early retirement and set up his own consultancy – dealing with Maritime safety.
He and Deirdre only come back to Whittlesey very occasionally to visit Deirdre’s mother grave in Doddington.
We have always kept in touch and we did meet them recently when we were in Kent.
A very good dinner at ‘The Dog-In-A-Doublet’ this evening.
Tony & Deirdre have just become first time Grand-parents.
Tony and his family originally lived at Portland Place Whittlesey.

Tony P                         RG                                                      Deirdre P                 Connie G

A spike today has seen 8 reports of police impersonation in Lincolnshire and 4 in the Peterborough area.
The Police will NOT ask you to purchase high value goods or to withdraw large amounts of cash to hand over to a police officer who will visit their address to collect it.
The fraudsters allege the goods or money are counterfeit items.

There are people who fall for this scam…

7 members of the Whittlesey Mud Wall Group attended their latest meeting yesterday (Wednesday) along with FDC’s conservation officer.
The group were informed that the printing of a booklet explaining the history and locations of Whittlesey Mud Walls is advancing.
Funding has been applied for and it is hoped that 500 copies will be printed.

When I attend Governors meetings at Peterborough City Hospital and previously at the Edith Cavell Campus, I make the same rendition especially when there are ‘new’ Governors.
It is bad enough for the public to pay extortionate prices to park at the hospital.
When sited at Thorpe Road/Peterborough District Hospital introduced parking charges, this was because ‘shoppers and commuters’ parked there.
My main gripe is that they charge their Nurses and Staff a disproportional amount to park and work. My wife was a senior nurse/ward manager at PDH & EC and paid over £60 a month out of her net salary, the figure now is somewhat higher.
Accounts 2016/17 state that Staff paid £650,000 into the coffers of PCH.
At previous meetings the governors stated that staff parking charges were to offset security and parking maintenance.

My argument has been :-

When Police Officers park their cars at a Police Station – Do they pay parking charges – NO
When Fireman park their cars at a Fire Station – Do they pay parking charges – NO
When Ambulance personnel park their cars at the Ambulance Station – Do they pay – NO
Do teachers pay to park their cars at schools – NO
I quote several other professions who do NOT pay to park theirs cars at their workplace.

So why do nurses have to pay an extortionate amount to pay at hospitals – out of their net salaries.
In recent years when delivering my ‘rendition’ – I am always thanked for my presentation and that the governors are very sympathetic to my presentation – but unfortunately nothing can be done –
Well at least I get it out of my system every now and then….

During the accounting period 2016/17
The public paid £1,350,000 – Staff/Nurses paid £650,000 that makes £2 million.
Does this money go to pay for more staff ?