Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Well what a difference 12 months make. All credit to Lyne Palmer and her small team for taking on and making a fantastic success of the Christmas Extravaganza.
Might seem a while ago – but considering the event ‘almost’ folding come last year – around 25 people attended the 2017 AGM and ‘promised’ all sorts of help and support… Alas – what did we see last night only 9 (including myself) turn up – where have the other 16 or so evaporated I wonder!!!!
Still Lyne and her decreasing small team are carrying on and well done and thanks to then – Whittlesey will see another Christmas Extravaganza – This year a change of day..

Make a note in your diary ‘Saturday 8th December 2018’ times TBA later.

My ‘small’ contribution, is that I ‘Independently’ examine the Groups accounts’ – which I am allowed to do under the Charity Commissions Regulations.
I do this for other voluntary groups in Whittlesey at NO costs.

Click on pictures to enlarge – 2018 Agenda + Minutes of the 2017 AGM

Kings Dyke Nature Reserve have several concerns of this development.
I and around 1,000 other people are members of the Kings Dyke Nature Reserve.
I copy below a message from the administrators…
Outline planning is already in place and this latest is for reserved matters.

Planning reference F/YR18/0128/RM

Some people have asked for a summary of the key points. These are as follows:

1. The Design and Access Statement appears to identify the nature reserve as an asset to the housing development by providing open space. The reserve is private and access is by membership only.  The reserve should not in any way be used to sell the development.
2. The proposed development includes for a small 10m buffer to the northern boundary and nothing on the western boundary. This is totally inadequate (we are suggesting a minimum of 20m on both the northern and western boundaries). How are the buffers to be maintained and funded?
3. Great crested newts and at least 2 species of reptile occur on the development site. Planning guidance states that the loss of habitat for these groups should be mitigated by the provision of an equivalent area (or a smaller area may be acceptable if the habitat has been significantly enhanced). Neither of these are proposed in the layout or mitigation.  A European Protected Species licence for the great crested newts is required before the development can commence – it is unlikely that Natural England will grant a licence without an appropriate buffer or translocation zone. Fenland have to be confident that a licence will be granted before giving permission.
4. The majority of the drainage from the development (including roads) will go into soakaways. As many of the newt ponds on the reserve are groundwater fed, these have the potential to become contaminated as groundwater will naturally travel into the void of the reserve. There is no provision for survey, monitoring and if any impacts are noted, any mitigation of the water quality of the ponds.
5. There is a planning condition to provide a suitable people and cat proof barrier to the reserve. No suitable design for a barrier has yet been submitted and therefore the condition has not been satisfied.

If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to give me a call.
Regards,
Phil Parker

RG comment – Housing, Housing Housing – everyone and everywhere needs it – but we have another problem here – access onto the A605 (again) how much more traffic can this road take!
The same argument with housing at Snowley Park/Glenfields – most of the traffic trying to join the A605 via Crossway Hand, try turning right towards Peterborough.
This development will see probably in excess of 70+ cars joining the already ‘congested and polluted’ A605

This item was on the Planning Meeting Whittlesey Town Council 19th February 2018
I was unable to attend this meeting.

Planning-Agenda-19th-February-2018

Anglian Water this afternoon gave “later tomorrow” to CCC as the time when West End would reopen, so it looks as if today’s target may not be met – perhaps?

My thanks to Cllr Chris Boden who sent this update..

Anglian Water tell me that the burst water main is now fixed (which is why no-one has been seen this morning working in the hole!).

Anglian Water have put the backfilling job out to their contractor who is meant to do that and effect an initial re-instatement of the road surface some time today.
Let’s hope they keep to schedule!

My thanks to SR and others yesterday –
Scam,
You may like to warn your followers of the new scam we have recently received.
I took a phone call which was a recorded message, allegedly from TalkTalk.
A lady told me that our IP address had been attacked from several foreign sources.
It had now been compromised and I would need to set up a new IP address.
I should press 1 to speak to a “technician” who would help me through the process.
Of course I did not. I spoke to TalkTalk who confirmed it was a scam.

The phone number displayed was 01736 005193.

RG – for those who do not know – a unique string of numbers separated by full stops that identifies each computer using the Internet Protocol to communicate over a network.
If further interest then ‘Google’ IP address and you will be enlightened.

Is Morrisons coming to Whittlesey – Well I don’t think so, someone heard at Morrisons Cardea that this was case….

What I was told was that Morrisons are stocking the Convenience store ‘McColls in High Street Ramsey.

Of course I could use stronger words – why – The main road A605 has a burst water main, discovered yesterday (Sunday) – Road closed since – went by 4 times today and at no time saw any workmen – now that’s not to say they were not there – but certainly every-time I needed to navigate that part of the road – there was NIL activity.
This was the scene on Snoots Road, with HGV’s having to negotiate traffic and legally parked vehicles

Looked on the Whittlesey TC Website and NIL information….If the Peterborough ET was aware and running an article – why wasn’t our Town Council informed – maybe they were and it just didn’t get posted….

To say it was bedlam at times is an understatement of course when-ever one of our routes to/from Peterborough is closed – it causes these issues….

Maybe one of our ‘Dream Team’ (Past, Present or Future) would like to take up the campaign for a ‘Bypass’ – along with the several thousands of houses needed for the argument. (Yawn – don’t hold your breath)

The question is: why do so many successful, high-profile leaders, who’ve spent years carefully working their way to the top, flame out so recklessly once they’ve reached it.
Quotation from he Harvard Business School.

The Conservative Group continues a ‘purge’ of sitting councillors, with news that Coates FDC & WTC councillor Alex Miscandlon has become the ‘latest’ to fall and fail in his attempt to be re-selected in next years (May 2019) local elections. The reasoning is a closely guarded, but I dare say will all come out in the ‘wash’ at some time.
Like it or not – similar to Ex FDC Leader John Clark – by default Cllr Miscandlon has brought about an element of consistency in his role as Chairman of the influential Planning Committee – and that’s probably where the issues are….
The consistency is not to everyone’s liking and there has been much comment about Fenlands Planning Committee – much of it in a negative and critical tone over a long period.
Again I ask – what motivation does a standing councillor have – being de-selected some 13 months before the elections.
I would like to think – carry on regardless – but I doubt it – where does this leave the electorate – ?

Steve Garratt

Another long term Whittlesey FDC & WTC Councillor, I understand will NOT be seeking re-election on a conservative wicket – Steve Garatt had been quiet active in his early years as a councillor, somewhat ‘off’ the boil over the past 3 years for various reasons.

His attendances at council meetings are somewhat worrying considering his commitment previously.
Fair as I am – Steve was one of the councillors who secured nearly £1 million funding for the refurbishment of the Manor Leisure Centre.
Steve said: “I have had the privilege of being Mayor of Whittlesey on two occasions the first time in 2004 and second in 2008. I found it a great honour representing Whittlesey and made many friends across Fenland © Cambs Times 2011

Did my ‘antenna’ pick up that Steve is ‘threatening’ to stand as an
‘Independent Candidate’ come next elections – well Steve – bring it on – I challenged you to do so….

Another not ‘Very Happy’ WTC councillor Bob Wickes from Coates may not stand as a Town councillor – before being elected he was extremely vocal at nearly every Town Council meeting, after being elected he has somewhat been very quiet –
His prolific quotation being:
I’m Keeping My Powder Dry’
Sorry No photo of Cllr Wickes – this is the best I could do….

Martin Curtis

So now to Martin Curtis – who is making a come back as a candidate – for ‘Coates’ – of course Martin carries a wealth of experience – that didn’t stop him from forgetting to sign his election papers last time and caused a re-run of that election costing the ratepayer in excess of £6,000.

Many people who picked this up in the press, asked me – Does Martin C have the time and/or the commitment to be back at FDC should he be successful in his re-election.
Remember Martin has had a rather somewhat ‘Toxic’ relationship both with past and present councillors and officers at FDC and has made more than clear of his displeasure of the planning regime at FDC. Maybe for the good or maybe for personal reasoning we wait and see.
Since his last period as FDC councillor, he is now ‘gainfully employed’ and not based locally, this causes logistical issues in attending meetings.

Martins Blog is still on the web although not very active here for a number of years.

Next we will come to current Chair of FDC Cllr Mrs Kay Mayor, possibly one of the hardest working councillors I have ever come across – that said, she has in the past 18 months said she would not be seeking re-election next time.
My understanding is that their has been a change of mind…..

So do ‘we’ in Whittlesey have the prospect of a ‘Dream Team’ – Is it a possibility, that :

‘If’ Cllr Chris Boden (Back of picture) is heading towards being the next leader of FDC.
Mrs Dee Laws (Right on picture) taking over the Planning portfolio.
Mrs Mayor with vast experience, knowledge and very active.
Plus the resurgence of possibly Martin Curtis.

This is a formative group to say the least, and should this come about, we hopefully won’t be playing 2nd and 3rd fiddle to March and Wisbech – which has been the case for sometime.
The BIG question is: Should this ultimately come about – can ‘they’ and will ‘they’ be able to deliver a better future for our town and villages!!!!!

I can now understand ‘why’ the selection process is taking place so early.

So to all the ‘vocal – social networking – keyboard warriors’ have you got what it takes to be a prospective candidate against such a formidable group come May 2016 – I doubt it – prove me wrong….

There is more news, but enough for this week….

Finally for this weeks session, may I wish Ken Mayor a good recovery from his hospital visits. An ex FDC/WTC councillor who promoted Whittlesey over many years.

Ken Mayor

Since I have several hundred regular readers from overseas (presume ex whittlesey people) some asked if we were badly hit – the answer is NO – however just 5 miles to the west the road conditions were dramatically worse.
Today Saturday – housing estates off the main roads remain a bit hazardous.

Click on pictures to enlarge…..
Unlike some places in Holland, our River Bower was not frozen over.
Some kind people built a snowman in St Marys.

click here read story on Fen Skaters

Below is the message sent out by the National Neighbourhood Watch….

Comment and update on the ‘ever’ changing political landscape of Whittlesey/Fenland.
Another head rolls as Cllr Alex Miscandlon is ‘de-selected’ for next years local election for the Conservative Group – plus much other news….
I personally think it far to early to select/deselect would be candidates – but that’s their problem – and it is certainly causing ‘issues’..

Well ‘Happy New Year’ in Chinese – Year of the Dog – Last few weeks in Malaysia/Thailand to celebrate with our Far East family – No rain, No humidity and a nice 30+C – look what we’ve returned too.