Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Below is an edited extract from a message sent out by myself to Whittlesey NHW on
my attendance as an Executive Committee Member of the County Association.
This took place on Saturday 22nd October.

Whittlesey NHW Group.

You will all be aware that our Police Station is closing at the end of October 2016.
It has been ‘closed’ for some time to members of the public.

I have informed those attending the last NHW meeting of developments. NHW Secretary/Webmaster Robin Sutton did a very good presentation to Whittlesey Town Council on 12^th October, at that meeting the Police & Crime Commissioner Jason Ablewhite & the sector Chief Inspector also gave a presentation, how ever they left the meeting before Robin delivered his presentation.

I have had a lengthy discussion with Whittlesey Mayor Cllr Alex Miscandlon and asked him to re-iterate our concerns about the level of Policing in our area.

I met with the PCC Mr Jason Ablewhite who to be fair listened to my delivery without interruption – he ‘appeared’ very sympathetic to ‘Your/Our/My’ concerns and did address some in his presentation to the 80+ delegates/members at the meeting.
Better still at the end of the meeting I ‘collared’ Chief Superintendent Vicki Skeels, Local Policing Commander, Cambridgeshire Constabulary. She is the senior officer that was fully aware of our situation – she again was sympathetic and assured me that processes will be brought into effect this coming week for several of our concerns, (example PCSO Moll having to clock on/off in March) are being addressed.

Crime/Policing/Criminals have all changed over the last 5/10/20 years – Cyber Crime did not exist, the resources needed to protect vulnerable and young people has put an enormous strain on many services. I am not making excuses just stating some of the facts. Terrorism is a major issue and problem on resources – especially in a heightened level that exists.

This brings me to how important your role as members/coordinators of our Whittlesey Group – Police Stations themselves do not solve crimes, (Quote the PCC) but they do aleigh fears of crime and disorder. Cambs Police are not unique in closing down Police Stations – in many other parts of the country the same is happening.
Rest assured as your Chairman I am and will do all within my remit to be as vocal on protecting our community as possible and as always, if you have any concerns about your safety or that of your neighbours –
I along with Robin and John are here to help you if and when needed. Your group who you represent is one of the best groups in Cambridgeshire –
I can assure you. Robins website again is not one of the best – it is the best.

We as a community group need to be more resilient in reporting issues and concerns, without this – the Constabulary ‘think’ we are a NO crime area – and this is just not true.

Your next meeting is on Tuesday 15^th November 2016 at Grosvenor House/Town Council Offices at 7pm Your committee look forward to seeing as many members as possible.

Neighbourhood Watch is free to join, there are no other costs, being a better neighbour is our aim within our community – why not join, come along to our next meeting – or contact me from my details at the top of the Toolbar Page.

Whittlesey NHW Website

With regards,
Roy Gerstner
Chair Whittlesey NHW Group.

As an ‘Independent Member’ of Rural Cambs CAB for a number of years I attended their AGM on Friday at Ely Cathedral (Before Trolls start – NO I don’t get paid & NO I don’t claim any expenses – Total NIL – Costs me money – Got It).
Another fantastic organisation who/which rely heavily on volunteers to run and give help and advise to thousands of people across Fenland/Whittlesey & Cambs.
Some 60 or so delegates/members attended including our own WTC/FDC Councillor Alex Miscandlon. Like so many organisations CAB is heavily reliant on funding from various sources (See below).
If you are not aware – CAB come to Whittlesey (Library & Learning Centre) on a Friday morning.
It operates on a first come first serve basis…you get a ticket from the desk.
Just because you do not need their advice now – doesn’t mean you may need it in the future.

CAB has a very good, easy to use website – here in Cambs – Click Here

After the meeting I spoke a great length with Cllr Miscandlon in respect of ‘Policing’ within our area and I hope he will make representations to the right people about these concerns.
(See next post re NHW AGM coming tomorrow).

Annual Summary + Accounts.
     

 
As always ‘Click on picture to enlarge’

More misconceptions and guess work unfortunately – Ian F (StreetLife©) is normally correct in his postings but he and many others are totally wrong on some of their comments ref Garden Waste Tax.

1/ Waste Disposal Tax – If people had read the reasons why there are ‘Start up costs’ then the miss-information posted would not have happened.
The ‘Start up  costs’ are “supposed” to be recovered and paid back after the new scheme becomes solvent.
2/ The waste past, present and in the future from Garden Waste – is of a very low quality compost (FDC fact, FDC Portfolio Holder Cllr Murphy quoted to the cabinet) and in FACT you can go to Waterbeach  and collect as much of this low quality compost for FREE.
I have done so, to say when using it – it is almost ‘glowing’ like nuke waste is an understatement – used it once and never again….
3/ As stated in my report posting of the decision of the Garden Waste Tax – 60% of those who responded to the consultation were (Not Happy) but said they would ‘probably’ take up the system. I quote FDC in that the scheme ‘should’ save the Council money and in fact produce a surplus – them quoting not me!
4/ The Recycling Centres are run privately on behalf of Cambridgeshire CC – Not FDC.
I agree there will probably be more garden waste taken to the ‘Tip’ as a result of the impending Brown Bin Tax – and this will lead to higher costs to Cambs CC and ultimately you and me the Tax Payer.

Firstly there is as usual a ‘lot’ of misinformation going on social media regarding this subject – I have no issue of  telling these people they have a lot of their ‘facts’ – wrong….and it is time they stopped it.

Yes I did attend the whole of the meeting that the public were allowed to attend.
Other than myself , there was the Landlady and brother from the Carpenters Arms in Coates to observe the decision on their Pub being a ‘Community Asset’ – another post later.
WTC/FDC Councillor Alex Miscandlon was also observing the meeting.
No other members of the public attended!

Back to – correct name – Garden Waste Collections.

1/ There are 68 pages in the report to FDC Cabinet Members (Yes I did read all 68 pages)
2/ Yesterday I published the Agenda for the meeting along with the link for anyone interested to read the Agenda item (68 Pages).  Click Here
I stated that the Head of Environmental Services had made a very robust business case to approved the recommendation.
3/ Fact – From FDC – The Garden Waste was initially subsidised by a Government Grant to all Councils to Recycle as much Green/Garden waste as possible – since that time the subsidy has stopped.
4/ Fact – Read all the consultations process and results – In fact the majority 60% of those who responded to the consultation said they were prepared to pay for the service.
5/ Fact – 7,300 properties do not have a Brown Bin – so could argue why they should pay on their general rates.
6/ Fact – FDC claim that they would have to raise the general council tax by nearly 8% to cover the cost of the Brown Bin round. – this would be on top of any other increase.
It would be illegal for FDC to put the cost of this service onto their general rates.
Also if a council wishes to raise taxes above a certain percentage – they would have to hold a referendum – cost £250,000

I make no excuse for my arguments that I am opposed to ‘Stealth Taxes’ – but also accept that with the for-ever on- going Government cuts – Councils are looking at many ways of either raising revenue or reducing cost (Over many past and many more future years)

    
Above is the executive summary that the FDC Cabinet were given.

Below is the terms and conditions that will be introduced to this ‘New’ service.
I suggest to those on ‘Social Media’ to read these terms and conditions and to fully understand them – if for what ever reason they may have questions  – then contact your own elected representative (Councillor) and ask them either for advice or guidance.

       

ps….You can share a bin…..be a good neighbour…. 87p a week to have your bin emptied.
(At todays costing)

Click on pictures to enlarge….

Link to the Agenda of the meeting where you can view all….Click Here

Deborah Slater and her small team have done such a fantastic job in getting 30+ Defibrillators in and around our area. They have plans for more and continuing the on going maintenance/battery replacement of those already in position.

Deborah updates frequently in our local monthly magazines and on social media – there should be no excuse not knowing where your nearest unit is located.

(Click on picture to enlarge)

Tomorrow 20th there will be a FDC Cabinet Meeting at 4pm (I am hoping to attend).
On the agenda – FDC call it Fenland Garden Waste Service and you can view the agenda and paperwork by Clicking Here

The Head of Environmental Services has made a very good business case for the ‘Tax’ to be introduced and it will take some monumental argument NOT to accept his recommendations. Out of the 12,000 returned consultation documents sent out, some 60%
said they were prepared to accept the (possible) £40:00 per year levy.

That’s again democracy and I/we have to accept it whether we like it or not.
I have actively argued against such a ‘Stealth Tax’ but was informed this evening by a Whittlesey Councillor that it was this or some other revenue making project (Parking Charges?) to cover some of the more savings that FDC have to make.
One ironic comment is that it is going to cost money (£45,000) in order to save money – doesn’t always!
So I’ll go and hopefully have a listen and see if it is a rubber stamp exercise or will a Councillor or two have different ideas.

Another very well attended Whittlesey Business Forum Meeting this evening at the Falcon Hotel, 20+ members heard updates and some plans for the next couple of months.
Deborah Slater from ‘Defibrillators For All’ gave a very good presentation.
I’ve done an article about these some time ago, it is well publicized where the 30+ Units are located, but I will post up the latest situation tomorrow.
Visit the Business Forum Website Click Here

Attendees from Friends of Whittlesey Library are celebrating a year of success from Arts Alive/Arts Council.
The meeting is at March Library from 7pm – 8:30pm
FOWL have put on many successful events for both adults and children throughout the year, many of these events have been supported and sponsored by the Arts Council.
The next event at Whittlesey Library/Learning Centre will be:
‘Goosebumps’

Disclaimer: These observations are not the ‘official’ minutes of the meeting, these are supplied by Whittlesey Town Council, normally (1) month following the meeting and can be viewed on their website.

Apologies from my correspondent who has a busy work schedule.

The Council meeting was a pretty straightforward affair.
The Crime Commissioner and Police Rep gave their talk at the start. Seemed like a well-practiced routine run through of points that had been raised by public.

 They said that they would be able to increase numbers on the ground using more PCSO time , covered the issue of time spent going to March to check in. Standard message about flexibility and effective local policing.
They were asked about crime levels and for comparisons between other areas but didn’t seem to have any useful numbers to give a direct answer.
It was a skilful and well-presented double act which took about 15 minutes and seemed full of general statements but lacked detail.

 A representative from Whittlesey Neighbourhood Watch spoke for 7.5 minutes to talk to the Council about NHW – they were very good at listening, might have scored a point or two because he did have the statistics that the Police didn’t and gave a comparison between Wisbech and Whittlesey to answer one of their questions about crime levels.
Added a couple of quotes from the 1829 police principles which supported NHW.
Mentioned that we were being supported by Cambridgeshre and would be doing Good Neighbours scheme. 

The council approved a new gate for the Cycle-way.
Nothing of interest in planning.
A bit of an exchange of views over some projects including Local Neighbourhood Plan which seemed to be getting a bit heated. Whittlesea Station plans were discussed although this seemed to be part of a wider group look at transport. I was surprised at the lack of understanding of some of those involved. It appears that the station improvements are bogged down because of simple things which just needed a bit of research to resolve. Specifically – who owns the gate across the station entrance 

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RG’s observations: I note that neither the PCC or the Police Rep stayed to ‘maybe’ hear what members of the Public or the NHW representative had to say or comment on.
As par for the course – ‘listening’ to what the public might have to say is always a ‘Priority’
Yes – In one ear and generally straight out of the other…..

I will be attending a meeting at Hinchingbrook Police HQ this Saturday when the PCC will be in attendance – maybe I will have the opportunity to have a few ‘choice’ words of advice, (As the Police quote quite often) – Not that my advice will have any effect what so ever.

We have been lucky to have experienced ‘Afternoon Tea’ in many of the worlds top hotels.
Today we visited the Belmond Reid’s Palace in Funchal Madeira.
5 Star Quality and Service.
Opened in 1891

History of Reid’s Hotel

PCC Oct Report

Click on link above to view the October Report

Good Morning, The City of London Police, in partnership with Get Safe Online, has put together a National Cyber Crime Survey. Its purpose is to learn about people’s awareness of online safety and experiences of cybercrime, with a view to improve our knowledge and understanding and to help provide a better response to victims. The results will help police forces gain a better idea of the challenges they are facing. If you have a spare 15 minutes, we would be grateful if you could complete a short questionnaire. The link can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CybercrimeSurvey2016

For more information go to Action Fraud Alert Website Click Here