Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Only 6 members of the public attending todays meeting in Chatteris with Police & Crime Commissioner Jason Ablewhite and newly appointed Chief Superintendent Nick Dean who took up his role in late September and Northern Sector Superintendent Andy Gipp, (Who had a meeting with some Whittlesey Councillors last week?).
Jason Ablewhite’s short presentation on where Cambs Policing is at present. Some good news being that Policing levels have not reduced below 2011 levels and that the 2018-19 increase in Police precept has resulted in a ‘Net gain’ of 105 extra Officers – this is now having an effect on all area’s of Cambs Policing.
There has been an overall saving of £27M in efficiency and joint purchasing of assets.
In Cambs we are paying 43 pence per day per person for our Policing where as the National average is 57 pence per day per person.
Recently a victim of ‘Cyber Crime’ was fleeced out of £330,000 over a long period of time before realising what had happened.
Myself and Robin Sutton attended from Whittlesey and as there were so few attending we had plenty of opportunity to ask and engage with all the Top Brass – They were aware of the incident last week – where an elderly lady was ‘mugged’ and they had arrested someone in connection with the incident.
Our main thrust was Neighbourhood Policing which they were all very supportive – encompassing many aspects of elderly, young and lonely people who are being targeted.
Overall it was a good meeting and we covered most aspects of what concerns residents have here in our community.

Visit Whittlesey Neighbourhood Watch Website – one of the best in Cambridgeshire –

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

The on-going issues of Parking around Schools, is a very emotive subject as parents want to drop off and collect their children from school.
However ‘a’ little consideration goes a long way – especially if your driveway is blocked.

WHITTLESEY SCHOOL PATROL (22nd Nov)
PCSO 7172 was at Alderman Jacobs Primary School, tickets were issued on Drybread Rd, with many drivers being educated on the Highway Code.
Please think about where you are leaving your car during the ‘school runs’ so together we can make it as safe as possible for the children

Two items this week – I could come up with more, but will save them for another day.

Firstly after my posting about ‘value’ for money from the Combined Authority for Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, several articles appeared in both local and regional press about Mayor Palmers ‘running costs’ not even his own scrutiny committee can hold him to account.
Of course ‘Mayor Palmer’ is a hero at present for him coughing up the extra £16 Million for the Kings Dyke Bridge works…..remember this is ALL Tax-payers money.
He stated on being elected that the running costs would be kept reasonable – now we have further excuses for ‘costs’ escalating through the roof – I am watching this…..

Then one of my other passions – the for – ever – on-going ‘Abandoned’ Road Signage in/around Whittlesey – I have brought this up on so, so many occasions at Whittlesey Town Council.
Recently we had in excess of 18 signs directing traffic to – where – No-where.

After my recent complaints – some did get collected. Then at the last Town Council meeting I did really did have a go in making the point that our ‘Cash Strapped’ County Council are throwing our hard paid for rates into the road. Them or their contractors it makes no difference – someone (us) is paying for this wastage.
Over the years I have found ‘dozens’ of signs, some get knocked or blown over then either become a hazard to not only pedestrians but road users.
I have sent off the ‘latest’ 3 which have ‘arrived’ this weekend –

I presume these are for Road Works to Benwick Road starting on Monday 26th Nov. So these may well have been put in place for the forth-coming project – One sign being unsafe to both pedestrians and drivers.

The message has been sent – lets see if ‘I/we’ can get a sensible answer to this problem.

Hundreds if not Thousands of £££ worth of abandoned signage just in Whittlesey – I dare say if it is happening here it may well be happening all around the County.

Your money – My money being needlessly thrown away.

Below another example – that remained in place for a very long time after what-ever-work was being carried out, this sign actually ended up opposite in the Church Field, until I got it retrieved.

You may of course vent your opinions on ‘social media’ or you could bring your ‘opinions and concerns’ direct to the Chief Constable and Police & Crime Commissioner.
You must register at the link below.

I will be attending as will be Robin Sutton who is now the Chairman of Cambs NHW Group.
If you can not attend – you can contact me and I’ll take your concerns to the meeting.
You can tell your Councillor of your concerns and ask them to attend on your behalf.

Black Friday – How To Shop Online Safely
Follow Martin Lewis advice – If you don’t need it – then don’t but it

After yesterdays incident of an elderly lady being ‘mugged’ here in Whittlesey, I have made ALL my elderly neighbours aware of the incident.
At this time of year – ‘we’ all become a bit complacent and not always aware of our immediate surroundings.
Many have parcels delivered, some go next door, always make sure who is at the door before you open it.
I have a very nice elderly neighbour (90) who is very sharp – however it is the highlight of her day (week) if someone comes to the door – as she sees very few people.
Luckily she is savvy enough to have a good chain on the door and I always call her if I am expecting any delivery –

Please be a good neighbour and keep an eye/ear open for them.

In the past few days, criminals have been using an automated telephone messaging service within the UK, claiming they are from the South West Regional Cyber Crime Unit. The person listening to the message are told that their internet connection had been compromised and that it would be shut down within 24 hours. The message then invites the person listening to press 1 on their keypad to speak with the technical department. (DO NOT DO THIS)
Although the UK is covered by both regional and local cyber crime units, this is the first time I have known the criminal purport to be from a legitimate UK Police department. This is a total fraud and no one should react to the message by pressing a key other than to disconnect the call.

Any similar reports to Action Fraud please

To visit Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s website please follow this link:
https://www.cambs.police.uk/home.aspx

It might seem a gesture of some sort that County Cllr & Leader of Cambs CC Mr Steve Count is ‘handing back’ a very small part of his ‘generous’ allowance, as a gesture of unity for those 1,800 staff earning over £25K working for the County Council to take 3 days unpaid leave at Christmas to ‘save money’

The ‘rich bit’ Cllr Count is that last year councillors voted to give themselves a hefty 30% rise and payments for ‘special responsibilities’ also rose to a level in excess of the council’s own independent remuneration panel’s recommendations.

But Cllr Count believes that argument is long gone and it is the present situation facing the council that matters.

Sorry Cllr Count I for one do not believe the argument is long gone and I will make sure the electorate remember it.
It is as bad as the Mayor for the Combined Authority saying ‘people’ are not bothered about him paying off his deputy recently and to top it took £11,000 of legal advice.

Do these ‘Councillors’ realise where this money is coming from – you and me – the tax and rate payer – it is high time they were made more accountable.

I’ve quoted this before – I believe that ALL Councillors should be treated fairly in respect of compensation. The problem is that when ‘independent review bodies’ make recommendations – Our Leaders seem not to take any notice what-so-ever – so what’s new…..

Two articles on the Cambs Times©™ Website.
Click Here & Click Here