Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

At this evenings Friends of Whittlesey Library held their committee meetings and several positive items on the agenda were agreed.
The Friends will buy 6 children stools for the use of the Library.
The Coffee and Cake stand at the Straw Bear Saturday was a success.
We agreed that I would look into another musical event possibly for the autumn.

The date of the FOWL QUIZ is confirmed as Friday 16th March more coming.

Alice in the Cuckoo’s Nest

This event is being put on by Cambs Library Services, with the ‘help’ of The Friends of Whittlesey Library.

Although the show is family friendly, ‘Alice in the Cuckoo’s Nest’ is a new experimental adaptation and a far cry from the innocent adventure portrayed by Walt Disney’s 1951 film version: “We’re not shying away from the darker sides of the subject matter,” said Company director Tom Cuthbertson, “but nor will there be overly explicit content which would exclude younger audience members. Hopefully audiences of all ages will take something away from it, and it will help fuel important conversations about mental health.”

See more information on Cambs Library Services Website Click Here

Tickets are still available and can be booked online.

Boat owners could be fined for overstaying on moorings in March and Whittlesey under new proposals to tackle river users who ignore local bye-laws.

Access to the Council’s River Nene moorings is free of charge for 36 hours, but last year several boats overstayed the restrictions in March for a considerable length of time.

Local residents and March Town Council raised the issue with Fenland District Council, which owns the moorings, as it prevented other boaters from being able to access the busy moorings and was having a potentially negative impact on tourism for the town and local businesses.

Now Fenland District Council has launched a consultation on proposals to adopt a civil law approach to the way it manages its moorings and enforces the visitor mooring period.

To see the whole document and to make a comment visit FDC’s website
http://www.fenland.gov.uk/article/12946/Council-seeks-views-on-moorings-management

The AGM of The Whittlesey Business Forum takes place this Wednesday at the Falcon Hotel at 6:30
Election of Officers and a full agenda.

I note reading last years minutes that Cllr Ralph Butcher gave an interesting talk about his time as a Councillor from 1971 –
I quote
“Update on the Kings Dyke railway bridge – was expected to be completed in 2018”

Ralph updated his timescale at a recent Town Council meeting to be completed by the end of 2019

On a Councillors website – his news for winter 2016 also states that the Kings Dyke crossing would be completed by the end of 2018 – looks like ‘we’ all got some duff information.

Going to Peterborough today – Along B1040 (Open) + North Bank Road (Open) + Pearces Road (Open) to find that the repairs to the road was about 100 metres of resurfacing – I wonder why it took 2 weeks….Still at least it is all clear on this part of the road….There are road works on the B1040 – Whittlesey Road Thorney.
Slightly more positive note…

A trial offering residents free bulky waste collection has proved so popular there are only a few slots left for people to book.
The initiative was launched as part of the wider #LovePeterborough campaign last month, aimed at reducing fly-tipping and encouraging responsible waste disposal.
The scheme runs until 9 March 2018 and out of the initial 1,767 collection spaces available, less than 160 remain on a first come, first served basis.

Once the trial has finished, evidence assessing the impact it has had on the number of fly-tipping incidents will then be reviewed by councillors later in 2018.
Read the full article @ Peterboroughnow (Evening Telegraph)©  Click Here
Maybe FDC could introduce a trial similar – It could workout cheaper to collect it for free,
than having to remove this blight on our landscape.
The fly-tipping in Fengate has often been on private land – it is the responsibility and cost to the owner of the land –

Some more positive news – Earlier this month -Eleven litter louts who ignored on-the-spot fines for dropping rubbish on Fenland’s streets have been taken to court.

Fenland District Council took the culprits to Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, January 3, when initial £75 fixed penalty notices were increased to a £220 fine. The fine dodgers were also ordered to pay the council’s prosecution costs of £150 and a victim surcharge of £30 – bringing the total bill to £400.
The fine imposed and victim surcharge will go directly to the court.
Read the full article @ Peterboroughnow (Evening Telegraph)© Click Here

Whether the culprits ever pay up or not we rarely hear about – next several letters going to an address where they’ve done a runner – those still there eventually get a visit from the Bailiffs – you can guess what might be recoverable….

Finally on this piece of old news – maybe not everyone saw the BBC article – where Wisbech Band D properties are paying £600 more than Kensington and Chelsea…
Whittlesey very similar – want a laugh – read the excuses and I’ve heard more directly from one or two of our own Councillors!!!
Read the full article on the BBC© Click here

Get ready – what is now an annual event in March – and has been very well supported in the past.
The Friends of Whittlesey Library have a meeting this Tuesday and I hope they will decide on the price of the tickets which includes a Fish & Chip Supper (Alternative can be requested in advance) – So please put the date in your diary and I will update when more information known.
2018 Quiz Poster FOWL

A605 – It just goes to show !!!!! When (1) of our primary routes into Peterborough (Be it B1040/Thorney Road or North Bank/Pearces Road) is closed, what ‘havoc’ this causes A605 Whittlesey to Peterborough – virtually all week at peak and at times off peak periods the traffic has been nose-to-tail all the way to Cardea/Standground.
Of course our ‘Highways experts’ at Cambs CC do not believe either the public or our elected representatives.
To make things even worse some branches fell  off a tree just beyond the Petrol Station on P’boro Road – then there was the Car Transporter blocking the road just past Kings Dyke Crossing only to be still there on the opposite side 6 hours later causing tailbacks was an understatement.
Now the questions is – When (Yes 2019 Maybe) When the Kings Dyke bridge is eventually built will this solve the problems – well maybe to a small extent but I don’t believe there will be a quantum improvement in the traffic flow – especially when one of the other routes are closed.
Fake News – Well I hope not on this site, however I do have to rely sometimes on 3rd Party information, and it would appear! that the reasons for FDC Leader to resign were not that accurate given in the Cambs Times© – a friend spoke directly with John Clark yesterday – to be informed that the reasons quoted on the Cambs Times© website was off the mark somewhat.
We can all guess his reasons…..
Showfields Planning – You can see my previous post below – I have spoken with people since and ‘most’ are resigned that the next stage (Variation) will probably go through.
Until ‘we’ hear what WTC Councillors (officially) have to say at the next Planning Meeting or Full Council – maybe the experts have something up the sleeves – we wait and see.
The Great Plastic Waste Debate – I could go for ever – but won’t – however I read that there has been a ‘Lot’ of changes of minds by BIG Companies – and I name the Coca Cola Company© who only last year was totally against any idea’s to clean up the earth from Plastics and Cans. There was a lot a people back-lash and maybe-just maybe a change of song. A lot of Hot Air and promises – but will they and others actually deliver.
Our Government just happens to make statements after many ‘years’ of consultation and even more to come – without again any firm commitment in law or statute.
I/We will carry on the fight.
What was that Smelly….. – A number of residents on the Western side of town have again experienced some not so nice ‘smelly stuff’ – a few did report it and most tolerated it.
Quite often when the wind blows in my direction we get ‘Fried Chip Smelly’ – now I wonder where that might come from – fortunately doesn’t last too long.
Finally – Flu – Cold – Pleurisy – I’ve had it (bronchial pneumonia) and many others are badly affected – some being hospitalised mine was discovered whilst on holiday, so I like many did not see a local doctor, go to the walk-in centre or A&E – Many have recovered on their own, so how does the Government know how many have been affected/infected – only those who actually see a doctor or possibly a pharmacist will be recorded.

PS – I nearly forgot –  Congratulations FDC – At the Straw Bear Festival – ALL Toilets in working condition and they were being used – Well Done.

Have a Bug Free Week… Hopefully.

I am Roy Gerstner – I am NOT a councillor.
I am responsible and accountable for what I say and publish.

If you think any of my comments are factually incorrect – please let me know and I am more than happy to correct them.

If you have issues and concerns contact your councillor.

If you feel your problems and issues are not being addressed – let me know – I may be able to help.

I used this term when the original ‘outline application was approved.
(See FDC Website under F/YR15/0134/O

I am pretty certain that the majority of residents are very aware of this controversial application.
Now we have in the public domain an update from the (New!) owner(s)

F/YR17/1231/VOC  Removal or variation of conditions of planning permission F/YR15/0134/O (Hybrid application: Outline application for the erection of 220 dwellings (max) with access, public open space and associated works/infrastructure. Full application for the engineering works associated with the formation of the vehicular access road off B1040 East Delph) | Land North Of Whittlesey East Of East Delph Whittlesey Cambridgeshire

To read the conditions variation details follow this direct link to FDC’s portal Click Here

Note Fenland District Councils Website Crashes very frequently and is known not to be working for many hours at a time – keep trying is the answer.

The full application/paperwork/objections and associated documents can be found by following this direct link to FDC’s portal Click Here

As of this morning there were 12 objections (These can also be viewed on the above link)
WTC did not receive this application in time for the last Planning Meeting and have asked for further time to respond.

If you feel strongly (for or against) this application I suggest you make your views know.
You can do this by contacting FDC quoting the application number or
Contacting your Whittlesey Town/District Councillor.

Several members of the public have done so already  and planning ‘expert’ Cllr Martin Curtis who is one of the WTC Ward Councillors –
remember objections can only be made on ‘Planning Grounds’

You can find out who your Councillor is by going to WTC website Click Here

I am being very pessimistic – I see NO Showfields Action Group anymore and as of today a relatively small number of objections (Not all on planning reasoning)
I would be very (pleasantly) surprised if this did not get approved.

My post of the original approval July 2015 can be view by Clicking Here

Below the original promotion leaflet lobbying public

I’ll post an update tomorrow (Friday), in the meantime, I wish my friend William ‘Billy’ Wright a speedy recovery. I visited him today at PCH just before he was to be transferred to Papworth to await an operation.

I decided to go alone to ‘listen’ to the F&P (Finance & Policy) meeting, followed later by the Planning meeting.

1. F&P meeting was predominately the same as last weeks full council meeting, however there was some serious discussion around:
(a) Premise Evacuation Policy
(b) Fire Procedure Policy
The debate revolved around fact that there is no suitable emergency exit from the meeting room on the first floor, other than having to go down the stairs and out of the usual exit.
When WTC took on the building it is my understanding that they had a ‘Fire’ official look over the building and brought up no issues.
Now that the above has been identified, the committee decided to re-seek further updated advice from a competent person and I presume act on their report.

2. See below the agenda….
Ref F/YR17/1051 Conversion of ‘Wrights Shop’ – there was a good debate – however some great confusion about Cambs CC wanting 4 dedicated parking spaces for the 2 new shop units….in my experience this has ‘never’ been brought up before, and dozens of retail units in the town would surely be subject to the same conditions.
My opinion is that quite often there is NO consistency in applying planning rules, quite often various ‘stakeholders’ change there stance on planning – this should NOT be so.
All applications should be subject to the same rules.
A somewhat entertaining!!!! rift between Cllr Bistrow and Cllr Mrs Mayor took place about
her ‘abstaining’ from the decision process.

Councillors have to declare ‘interests’ whether personal and/or prejudicial and there are rules pertaining to councillors and officials have to abide.

Anyway the result was 2 Councillors voted for the planning permission and 1 against.

If you zoom in (+) the document will be better readable.

Although incidents like happened at the Straw Bear Festival are very rare, and I hope there will be some review about security in the future. Whittlesey crime is increasing, yes we have periods of little crime and then it goes up for a while.
Over 100 incidents were reported for the Whittlesey area during November (Latest figures available)
This now raises our level to a Medium Crime Area
You can view the map by going to Cambs Police Website.

https://www.police.uk/cambridgeshire/Fenland_Whittlesey/crime/

On the Home Page – you can report any crime, it is very easy to use – I am assured by Cambs Police that ALL crime reported on the website will be treated the same way as telephoning 101 – You will get a receipt but unless you are a material witness there will not be a follow up.

Why not make your Road/Street safer with your Neighbours –
We have some 50 NHW Co-ordinators within Whittlesey and surrounding area’s
Register with e-cops to receive crime updates and news.

https://www.ecops.org.uk/

Visit Whittlesey NHW Website for a vast array of (Always up to date) Information.

https://www.whittleseynhw.org.uk/

The next meeting of Whittlesey NHW Group will be:

Tuesday 13th March @ 7pm – Whittlesey Town Council Offices Grosvenor Road
(opposite the Bus Stop) – Side door up the stairs – ALL welcome.

Roy Gerstner
Chairman Whittlesey & District NHW
Cambs NHW Executive Committee member