Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

I am humbled to have been a member of the ‘New’ Business Forum since its re-launch.
I am not a businessman and own no businesses, however I and a couple of other community group leaders were invited to take part and I’ve been there ever since and pay personally for my own membership.

Now in its 3rd year the Group has around 50 members and meets monthly (except August).
At last evenings meeting, Mr. Stephen Hodson who was one of the instigators of the ‘New Forum’ stood down as chairman and a new committee was elected.
Chair Mr Joe Jennings
Vice Chair Deborah Slater
Secretary Catherine Healey
Treasurer Eamonn Dorling

A full agenda took place with many items and events coming for this coming year.

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Click on pictures to enlarge.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the WBF they have their own dedicated website @ http://www.whittleseybusiness.co.uk/

Coming tomorrow -Thursday 25th – The latest on who maybe will be the leader of the Conservative Group and probably of Fenland District Council – and it is NOT a Whittlesey Councillor !!!!!

Good information from the PCC – Click on link below.

http://www.cambridgeshire-pcc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/News-from-the-Police-and-Crime-Commissioner-January-2018.pdf

I have an update (24th/2100z) It ‘appears’ the ‘Smelly’ is coming from the Recycling Company at the Kings Dyke Knot Hole. This was originally set up the Thory Brothers,
they have sold it to another Whittlesey businessman Mr S Riley under the company name
East Midlands Recycling. The FDC Environmental Officer has been to visit last week I understand. I can only ask – if you still experiencing this ‘Smell’ to keep on reporting it.
FDC’s phone # is 01354 654321

At the March(28th) meeting of the Whittlesey Business Forum – East Midlands Recycling will be giving a talk/presentation.

Residents are reporting and getting annoyed about a ‘smell’ around the Low Cross/Park Lane area. If you have experienced this issue please report it 0800 80 70 60 this is the number for the environment agency.

Please note my terminology…you know what I mean – I am not wholly against rises in Council Taxes but I think it rather ‘smug’ of Cambs CC Leader Steve Count in announcing a 2.99% increase in our ‘Rates’ especially when He and his fellow councillors voted to give themselves a basic pay rise of more than £2,000, dismissing an independent report which advised significantly lower.

But following a vote at a full council meeting (July 18th 2017) a 30% increase to £10,315 was agreed, bringing it in line with the national average for two-tier authorities.

A number of special responsibility allowances were also substantially increased, in excess of the recommendations by the council’s Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP), but also in line with the national average.

The chart above explains all….

I am sorry Mr Count am I being somewhat ‘dim’ here, you’re quite happy to go against the Independent report but then raise our precept to almost the limit the government will allow before a referendum is triggered.

I have covered #Councillors Allowances & Expenses# many times, and I am ‘sympathetic’ too there being a fair system for all…
We now have a separate precept/budget for Adult social care, Fire Service, Policing, Water & Waste water and who know’s what else – yes we now see what each service costs and the increases they ask for – but year on year ‘we’ pay more and more…to the extent Mr Count reasoning of taking The proverbial…you know what.

ps I have no choice other that pay up – that’s the system – that’s what we call democracy and that’s the way we live in a free and open democracy like it or lump it.

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.