Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

See below your opportunity to have your say.
I have commented on this subject before, and believe the P&CC has enough on his plate already – and has yet to prove – what he was elected for in the first instance.
I believe that the Fire & Ambulance Services make a much better business case.
I have voted for the first option.

Over 1500 responses have now been received on the consultation on possible future options for the Governance of the Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Thank you if you are one of them.
If you have not fed back your views then there is still time.

New legislation means that Police and Crime Commissioners can take on greater responsibilities for fire and rescue services in their area where a good case is made to do so.
Four options are being considered and a report has been independently produced (by PA Consulting) setting out the four options, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

1. The no change option:  Police and fire continue to have governance arrangements that are independent of each other

1. The representation option: The Police and Crime Commissioner has a seat and voting rights on the Fire Authority becoming the 18^th member of the Fire Authority

1. The governance option: The Fire Authority is replaced by the Police and Crime Commissioner who becomes the “Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner”;

1. The single employer option: There is a single Chief Officer for police and fire personnel who becomes the single employer under the Police and Crime Commissioner.

The business case recommends option 3 – the governance option

We would like to know what you think.

How to tell us your views
A two page summary, the full report and online survey (that takes 30 seconds to complete) can be found at www.cambridgeshire-pcc.gov.uk/fire

If you would like to provide a written response or have any queries, please send them directly to cambs-pcc@cambs.pnn.police.uk     If you would prefer to complete the survey over the phone or require further assistance please phone 0300 333 3456

The consultation closes on 4th September 2017.

Besides the serious fatal accident along Ramsey Road at 4am this morning, causing Ramsey Road to be closed for most of the day – this is now a criminal investigation requiring police resources. Our issues are minor in comparison to the death of someone in a Road Traffic accident.

As I went to Peterborough along the North Bank – the traffic at 1pm was pretty light – there was some sort of High Level Pow Wow happening on the Dog-In-A-Doublet Bridge by a lot of suited persons.

However on returning I came along the A605 – big mistake, the tailgating started at Park Farm, all the way back into Whittlesey, including of course the Kings Dyke level crossing being closed, then Road Works and traffic lights, then a nice Farmer Giles with Hay Bailer (No Number Plate) holding things up even more so – I wasn’t in a hurry anyway.
    

Consternation throughout the afternoon, with lots of reports that Neighbourhood Watch does NOT exist here in Whittlesey – this started off by Mr BG going to March Police Station yesterday to enquire about joining here in Whittlesey, only to be told by the Desk Person (PCSO) that there were NO schemes running here in Whittlesey.
Fortunately through my Social Media friends BG and I have now made good contact.
Somewhat disheartening that having been going in the present form for 10 years that – March not wholly surprising doesn’t think we are on the map.
Of course its not only Policing but a whole raft of other issues that FDC/CCC think we do not exist – tell me and a shed full of other residents something new….
Maybe it is time for our Sector Inspector to get a bit of fresh air and visit places beyond March & Wisbech (+Hinchingbrooke @ Police HQ).

Between 27/07/2017 22:00 – 28/07/2017 07:00 unknown offender/s have forced the farm workshop door off it’s hinges and stolen workshop tools in the area of Glassmoor Bank, Whittlesey.

Whittlesey & our Villages are not what they used too be – able to leave doors, windows and cars unlocked.
Besides welcoming a large number of ‘new’ residents who maybe law-abiding, there is now a small element of people who are opportunists – if they see an easy target they will take advantage of it.
Years ago, we the community and our Local Police probably knew the local Riff Raff – and within a short time had someone arrested and in custody – and up in front of the Local Magistrates – held at Whittlesey Town Hall (Market Street).
Besides on-going minor crime – thieves are very ‘mobile’ and will travel well over a hundred miles in search of easy targets.

One of our problems here in Whittlesey, is that there is quite a lot of ‘minor’ crimes being unreported – there are several reasons for this. Some of these crimes are sent to me! – I can not reported crimes that other people have suffered.
It doesn’t matter how ‘small’ the crime/damage maybe – unless it is reported through the Police, there is NO trace, No Crime Number, NO follow-up and NO crime statistic.
Policing today even in Fenland is driven by ‘Reported Crime’ – the Police will then try and put resources where these crimes occur.

See something suspicious – phone 101
Report a crime after the event – phone 101
Report a crime in action – phone 999
Feel threatened or intimidated – phone 999

Want to feel safer, join in with our local Neighbourhood Watch Group
See full resources on Whittlesey Neighbourhood Website – Click Here

I see there has been a bit of comment about Whittlesey Railway Station – again – with how much the ‘latest’ consultation is costing (eye watering).
I and a couple of other Whittlesey residents have attended many Community Rail Partnership meetings over the last few years – along with ‘some’ of our councillors on occasions!! – I have been quite vocal at some of these meetings and got absolutely no where – which I more than expected. Something ‘simple’ like better lighting and access could take ‘years’ and everyone ‘blaming’ someone else for the delay.
It wouldn’t be bad if a decision could be made.
Whittlesey Railway Station is never going to be a ‘picturesque’ – ‘quaint’ station.
Those who use the trains and some that may – want more frequent trains stopping at Whittlesey – alas the mathematics of trains running ‘through’ is very complex.
So if you feel strongly enough – why not attend the next ‘Public Meeting’ on:
Monday September 11th 2017 – I hope to attend.

Whittlesey Town Council Full Council meeting is being advertised on the WTC Website as being held on Wednesday August 09th – I question if this is so, as there is not a meeting usually held in August, our own Clerk will be on her well deserved holiday – so unless WTC are hiring-in TJ to do the Clerks job – I maybe wrong, please correct me if so.

Our Community Police inform me, that there is ‘More’ antisocial issues going on in/around the Manor Field area – surprising since it is School Holidays! – although there is one councillor who refuses to admit the two have anything to do with one another – really.
In New Zealand – they have issues as well but have been running a successful initiative –
Kids in Sport – Stay out of Court – and it seems to have worked in many areas (NZ that is)
Whilst in New Zealand a few years ago, I spent 2 days ‘volunteering’ with the ‘local’ Community Probation Service – only a few wayward kids – we had a bit a fun and work – no problems.

Click Here to View Report The report is 18+ Mb so maybe take a time to download depending on your connection.
I am not making comment as there are several more meetings to take place, this consultation was to give the public/electorate an opportunity to make comment on the questions within the document.
Every household within Whittlesey & Villages should have had a copy.
The return rate was reasonable for this type of survey, but still the ‘majority’ did not fill in the questionnaire!.
The results make some interesting reading – although ‘we’ have to be careful of what can and what can not be achieved – Its a bit of a ‘Wish List’
Should anyone be unable to view the document, I am more than willing to print off a copy for you – my contact details are on the top tool-bar.
There is to be a ‘Brain-Storming’ session in October to invited parties.

July is Scams Awareness Month and we are doing our utmost to raise awareness (as always) to try to help protect our community. Thank you for all your assistance and please do continue to share the messages amongst your community as you feel appropriate. The more residents aware of scams, the more protected our communities become. I’m aware that my emails are quite long so I’ve picked out the most important information if you wish to skim!

I hope you will be pleased to hear that my contract has been extended until next March and I am really looking forward to continuing and expanding the work I’m doing in the community. I’m really pleased to be staying on in the Community Protection Team for a bit longer. If you know of any groups or clubs that might welcome a scams awareness talk or some information please pass on my contact details. Also, we are starting to hear anecdotal feedback and examples of how Good Neighbours and No Cold Calling Zones are supporting their community or any particular individuals. It would be lovely to hear of any of your stories if the schemes are proving useful in your area, please let me know if you have any feedback. 

We have had a very nasty scam in Cambridgeshire recently (indeed I believe the scammers also visited my mother). Police are urging residents to be vigilant following a spate of rogue trading targeting elderly people. The offender has been offering to do gardening work at a reasonable price for elderly victims. However, he asks them to pay up front to cover the cost of tools and then doesn’t complete the agreed work. In St Ives £100 and £450 has been taken in two separate incidents and in Huntingdon £750 has been taken. He is described as white, 5’7-8″, aged in his early 40s, with short dark receding hair. Please warn neighbours, if he needs money for tools he is clearly in the wrong job!
We have also had a report of a local phone scam; a resident has received a bogus call from someone purporting to be from Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) trying to elicit property information.  Whilst on the subject of phones; please also watch out for the ‘missed call’ scam. (See the Ofcom website for more information). Victims receive a missed call from a number beginning 070 or 076. These numbers are used as they appear to be calls from a mobile phone number. However, when the victim tries to call the number back, the call is immediately dropped or an engaged tone is played and the victim is charged 50p for making the call. If you receive a missed call from a number beginning 070 or 076 that you do not recognise, do not call it back. Instead, make a note of the number and complain to the premium rate regulator, Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) either by phone: 0300 30 300 20, through their website or in writing: Phone-paid Services Authority, 25th Floor, 40 Bank Street, London, E14 5NR.

Please beware of the email scam claiming to be from HMRC alerting you to a tax refund you are owed. This email looks pretty authentic!

If you receive this e-mail or any other purporting to be from HMRC please forward it to HMRC’s phishing team phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk. Also I’ve heard a number of complaints recently about phone callers purporting to be HMRC – some even threatening jail I believe. So that’s one to beware of too.

 Finally, The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) and Action Fraud have recently noticed a rise in the reporting of pets, and in particular puppies and kittens, being advertised for sale via popular online auction websites. The fraudsters will place an advert of the pet for sale, often claiming that the pet is currently held somewhere less accessible or overseas. Upon agreement of a sale, the suspect will usually request an advance payment by money transfer or bank transfer. However, the pet does not materialise and the fraudster will subsequently ask for further advanced payments for courier charges, shipping fees and additional transportation costs. Even if further payments are made, the pet will still not materialise as it is likely to not exist. Action Fraud have some very good advice regarding protecting yourself from this scam, here. 

As always, please let me know if you no longer wish to receive these updates and of course, enjoy your summer and keep safe. 

Kind Regards,
Elaine Mountfort
Community Protection Officer
Corporate and Customer Services Directorate

Having been to Scotland dozens of times – it always rains irrespective of the time of year and this year no different, although we have had yes 3 days of sun out of 8.
My parents came to ‘Tummel Bridge’ near Pitlochry Perthshire in 1959 by car and caravan, we came back many times during my childhood. My father liked going up the local mountains, and this one ‘Schiehallion’, he and I did twice along with another mountain called ‘Benlawers’
        
Connie & I have visited the famous ‘Queens View’ on many occasions and on a half decent day the view is very nice indeed.
This year as before we stayed in the ‘Macdonald Rannoch’ on a road that’s a dead end with a beautiful Railway Station – ‘Rannoch’ – this year we did take the train (only a few stop) to Fort William & Mallaig – I have to say the 20 minutes crossing the Rannoch Moor is one of the best views of isolation I have seen and place it in my top 10 places ever seen. Nothing to spoil the views….

  
Nice seafood chowder in Mallaig – nice prices too.

So we do hope to return in maybe 2 years time, we’ve tried every month except winter – maybe is doesn’t rain then.
Nice to have been ‘off’ the grid for a number of days, little or no internet access, a dribble of mobile phone signal here and there and back to 4 channels on the TV – not that I saw much of that either. In Pitlochry is my favourite ‘shop’ – Robertsons – a place dear to my heart – Full of Whisky – I got to know the brothers Robertsons many years ago – alas they have departed to the Whiskey Distillery in heaven.

Rannoch Moor.

Lets see what the Lake District has to offer!

I am reliably informed by my correspondent who tried and tested the conveniences – May it now last …
 

I had a very long telephone call from a Councillor last night trying to correct me in some of my reporting on WTC Full Council meetings.
I have never stated that Councillors do nothing.

In fact there are a ‘few’ Councillors who work nearly full time for the benefit of the town and community.
What I did & do report, was that when it comes to ward matters towards the end of the agenda, month after month after month ‘most’ Councillors have NO ward matters to report.
I well know that Councillors are dealing with ward matters – so why don’t they report them and let the rest of the Councillors and members of the public present be aware.

Naturally I am as interested as anyone – if a Councillor has a big campaign on Footpaths or Potholes – then I am able to ask MY Councillor why he/she isn’t doing the same for the Ward that I live in – let me know – let the rest of the Councillors know.
But there is always a ‘sting’ – maybe they are aware of these matters – because it has been discussed at meetings outside of the Town Council meeting?

So no I will back-track on my reports, I report as I hear – If I get things wrong (we are all allowed to make a mistake now and then) I will put it right pronto and if an apology is required (extremely rare) I will do that too.
Town Councillors are NOT paid, however they have stood on a political platform to be elected – once elected – they are accountable to the electorate and under governance of Standards which they have to sign.

I am accountable for what I write here – I am more than happy to enter into a dialogue on any issues I raise on this website.
I am totally open and transparent and do NOT hide behind pseudonyms on social networking sites.
I don’t expect everyone to agree with my views – but I am trying to be fare.
If Councillors want crediting for their hard work – why not set up a website like Cllr Dorling and update us once in a while – I am sure that Their Electorate would be most appreciative – 10 minutes once in a while is all it takes…..

At last weeks Buttercross Auction at the Falcon Hotel…

      
Pirate sold £280:00             Ships Wheel unsold