Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Further to my post yesterday re the Clearing out of our Police Station and the ‘loss’ of PCSO Ian Moll.
I need to make the community aware that whilst I was talking with PCSO Moll outside of Barclays Bank at around 14:30 – within a period of 10 minutes, he was approached on 3 occasions –

(1) We witnessed a lady falling over the kerb nearby the ‘George’ – fortunately no serious injury.
(2) Two members of the public reported to him their suspicions of a shop lifter in ‘Boots’ which he went off to investigate.
(3) A member of the public making a general enquiry.

All this within a 10 minute timescale – that’s why it is so important to have ‘some’ visible’ presence of Policing within our area.

A bit late on, which he did not witness, was what appeared to be ‘road-rage’ on the corner of Market Street/Broad Street where there are major road works on-going.

A question that needs to be asked is ‘why’ there has been little or nothing from any of our Councillors either in the press, or in our local magazines. There was a shortish questioning at the Town Council meeting of the 12th October – many Councillors had NO questions – why?

There has been a Police Station in Whittlesey since 1857.
The present Police Station was opened in October 1968
Today the furniture, equipment and computers were being removed.

Today I met with PCSO Ian Moll who informs me that he will be completing his last shift here in Whittlesey – on Thursday this week.
Ian will be relocating as a PCSO in Peterborough. The reason he is moving is primarily due to the Police Station closing and he having to travel further to March to start/end his shift.
It is my understanding that there will be (2) PCSO’s assigned to Whittlesey, although it is unclear at present as how much of their shift they will be in/around the Whittlesey area.
I thanked Ian on behalf of Whittlesey NHW for his liaison and contact with the community.
If you would like to be a better neighbour, why not join Neighbourhood Watch, the largest voluntary organisation in England.
It is free to join and does not involve a great deal of time.

The next meeting of Whittlesey NHW will be on Tuesday 15th November at 7:00pm
Whittlesey Town Council Offices – Grosvenor House, (Opposite Bus Stop)
Side entrance – up the stairs.
If you would like more information, please contact me – details on the top of the page.

Visit Whittlesey NHW Website

Winter burglary prevention advice

After the clocks go back we start thinking about the darker night’s drawing in. Traditionally there is a rise in burglaries in the winter period, especially during the run up to Christmas and it is sensible to think about your home security.

You can reduce the risk of being a victim of burglary by following four simple steps:

1. Leave a light on inside your home when you are absent, preferably using a low energy bulb.
2. Use a timer switch to activate lights as it gets dark, alternating the times they are illuminated to give the impression of someone being at home.
3. Make sure your front door is well lit using dusk to dawn lighting that automatically comes on as it gets dark.
4. Make sure you keep your doors and windows locked at all times.

In addition, we would advise you to take these security tips:

• Register valuable items with a serial number at www.immobilise.com and add a photograph.
• Do not leave your car keys, handbags, wallets or mobile phones near doors, letterboxes or windows.
• Never leave keys in the door if you have a cat flap or letter box.
• Keep your valuables out of sight. Burglars will be looking through windows for items of value.
• Install a visible burglar alarm with a box on the front and rear of yoru property.
• Keep gates and sheds locked.
• Store your wheelie bins behind secure side gates to prevent them being used as climbing aids.
• Increase the height of your back or side fencing by adding diamond style trellis topping which is difficult to climb.
• Plant spiky plants in vulnerable areas.
• Think about getting a driveway alarm – this is a cheap and effective deterrent which can be switched on at night when you go to bed to protect against anyone entering your drive or garden.
• If you are lucky enough to be going away on holiday, do not post your holiday plans or movements on social-networking sites.
• Subscribe to your local Neighbourhood Watch

  Visit Whittlesey NHW

Last week I attended 6 meetings and 2 this week – overflow with information facts & figures. Lets stay as positive as possible….firstly what another fantastic job the Friends of Whittlesey Library have achieved… ‘New Blinds’ for all the large front windows… matching nicely with the rest of the décor….Today a small but enthusiastic group turned out for the ‘Goosebumps’ film and a lucky winner of the £10:00 prize draw topped it off.

The new blinds now allow the interior to show events without being ‘overly’ dark and with just the right effect. The FOWL committee kept the work locally and ‘Blinds-In-Harmony’ have done a very good job. The Friends have carried out some significant improvements since their inception – Another Whittlesey Volunteer Group – helping our community.

Many of ‘us’ have been very vocal and complaining to Councillors of the ‘state of the Kings Delph  Lay-by for some considerable time (Years) – Now there has been a small but significant improvement to the road surface – I say ‘small’ as I wouldn’t call the job itself a Grade 1 improvement – but still kudos needs to be given to Cllrs Ralph Butcher and Alex Miscandlon for their involvement with Cambs Highways. The ‘patched up’ part of the road is where there were ‘ruts; some 18/24 inches deep and it was only going to be a matter of time before a lorry would have tipped over. Now what still needs addressing is the continued – excrement issue’ – disgusting people

Finally another ‘Autumn in Whittlesey picture’                                                             Have a nice weekend….

Fun for all Children and maybe Adults – Friends of Whittlesey Library are putting on ‘Goosebumps’  – See poster above – click on picture to enlarge….

Lots already elsewhere about the ‘Planning controversy/Noise/Dirt/Mud’ – I had a quick look around this afternoon and yes I would not want to live along the access road under these conditions. I don’t know when the builder has the road sweeper clean up the road,  my photo taken at around 3pm – I did hear that it was supposed to be done daily!
It is going to be a long while before things improve.
I remember well the planning application at WTC – and the concerns ‘we’ as the councillors were at that time – most of these concerns disappeared at the decision making – Planning meeting at FDC – still as said many times – nothing new in this.
Maybe the residents should have kept a photo/video diary of the road conditions (better or worse) to back up their complaints.

A large number of applications, which WTC Planning Committee have to consider.
At the end of the meeting it was suggested that due to the number – that perhaps more frequent meetings be held – thus reducing both the length of the meetings and addressing the delay in consideration and determination that exists at present.

The major application considered was those concerning The Falcon Hotel –
F/YR16/0802/F – basically wanting to enlarge their facilities/bedrooms etc.
‘Quote’ Whilst wishing to encourage business within the town, this application was recommended for refusal’ – Due to Parking and Highway concerns and issues.

(Picture = Crest of The Falcon – at the rear of the building)

Whittlesey Town Council – Planning Committee are ‘consultees’ on planning matters.
The determination of an application is made by Fenland District Council – either by an Officer or by the FDC Planning Committee –

Nice autumnal colours covering a house in the Low Cross area….

I am always questioning the resources FDC put into cleaning and cleansing – luckily we have (2) excellent Street Cleaners – however they do with a ‘Trigger Brush’ (Only Fools & Horses®)  – we are told that the Street Sweeper comes weekly – really and that the Buttercross is jet washed weekly – really – Look what high tech equipment Peterborough City Council have – a battery powered self propelled – environmentally friendly sucker/sweeper and vacuum – He made easy work in half an hour all of Church Street – Clean – Spick & Span…. Come on Fenland move somewhere to the 20th century….

As reported earlier in the year – The main Post Office in Peterborough has now moved from Church Street to Bridge Street (W.H. Smith) – there are certain facilities you can only do at a main Post Office

Lots of applications – See below.

Click on pictures to enlarge…