This item is now available on the WTC Website, I normally ask out of interest!
Good to see that 7 Councillors had a 100% record in attending the Full Council meetings.
One Councillor only managed 3 Full Council meetings.
You can ‘Zoom in’ and move you mouse around the document to read in better detail.
9 years ago, Steve Barclay came to my house and had a very good engagement prior to him being chosen or even elected as a MP. One of my passions then and still is – that ‘we’ should have an environmental Deposit Tax or Levy on Plastic/Bottles/Cans and Polystyrene products, – to be returned for most of their money back.
On 3 occasions I have tried to convince now MP Steve Barclay to support this initiative, which by the way has happened in many other countries.
Alas although not totally against the idea – his concerns are costs to the government!
Some will remember I wrote him a letter earlier this year and I got back a pretty poor reply.
One on my arguments for supporting another environmental ‘Levy’ – has been the 5p Levy (Not a tax) on Plastic Bags, this has been a fantastic success in reducing not only the amount used, but the amount that gets dumped into the sea and environment as a whole.
I said to MP Steve Barclay this Friday that the government actually makes money from the 5p Levy – He was unaware of this, his argument has always been it would cost the government to implement such an initiative – wrong – Because there is a VAT element to the ‘Levy’
I quote an ITV report from October 2016
Shoppers across the UK have now been paying 5p for a plastic bag for a year – but where does that money go? On October 5, 2015, England became the last part of the UK to introduce a 5p charge for carrier bags.
Not only has this resulted in 130 million less bags being used, the proceeds have also benefited many charities. After 1p of VAT is deducted from the 5p cost of a bag, this is how much supermarkets donate to charity:
While the amounts donated to good causes differ, none of the supermarkets are making a profit from plastic bag sales.
The Government, however is, making £18 million in England in the last year.
An excellent article on the Governments own website – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/single-use-plastic-carrier-bags-why-were-introducing-the-charge/carrier-bags-why-theres-a-5p-charge
There are slightly differing mathematics involved in the breakup of the 5p ‘Levy’ however if you are a business employing more than 250 full time workers you have to charge for bags. Some of the money raised goes to administer the scheme.
Another very informative article is on The Independent website – Click Here
So if the 5p Plastic Bag Levy has been a success and the Government has made a shed full of money – Why can we not have exactly the same on Plastic/Bottles/Cans and Polystyrene products at say 10p a go – I’ll stick my neck on the block – you won’t find much of this rubbish in our land or seas after this Levy because people/public will want their money back – or our local friendly hard up person will collect it from anywhere they can find it.
It has been a success in many other countries – come on Steve Barclay after 9 years it is really time you changed your tune on this – I am not giving up…
The world as a whole is one big dumping ground more and more as population increases,
we can do something about it – but it will take our government to make this pledge.
Some of use are old enough to remember the deposit scheme on bottles – in my childhood it was 3d (old money) we children were very competitive but then didn’t find many around – I wonder why…..see above…
Deposit & Return Another Story
Germany have been doing this for years. They now have machines in every supermarket that read the labels on bottles or cans with laser and print out a coupon which you can either cash or use against purchases.
I am Roy Gerstner
I have been collecting and removing rubbish and litter
from all over the world, but more so in my home town
of Whittlesey.
This year I ‘celebrate’ having belonged to FDC’s Street Pride
Group for 10 years.
I have personally removed over 4 tons of Rubbish and Litter.
When I worked on the largest Super Tanker in the world, we stopped our ship to rescue and release a beautiful Leather Back Turtle from being entwined in Plastic Bags.
Coming tomorrow, further research in my discussion with MP Steve Barclay last Friday, reveals I was correct in my arguments and facts….sorry Steve – 1 to me and 0 to you
On returning from the Lattersey Nature Reserve, I was back in Full mode, Litter Picking my way back home, when by chance I came across PCSO Shane Green, who was looking somewhat over heated in all his gear, we had a good 45 minutes catch up.
We are all aware of what the Manchester terrorist attack has done to our country as a whole, this weekend Cambs Police supported many events in and around Manchester. PCSO Green informs me that since that terrible event, Fenland Policing have been on very enhanced duties. Of course whilst this is going on, many minor issues will have to put on hold. He did inform me that hopefully all will get back to normal in the coming week or two.
Mainly volunteers committing a great amount of time to Lattersey Nature Reserve, celebrating their 30th Anniversary, a steady stream of families having a free hour or two at the reserve. I saw and had a chat with Mayor Cllr Ralph Butcher who as a boy would swim in the gravel pits nearby. Several stalls supporting the event, with Lattersey WI having a lovely cake stand, Rob Boddington with his miniature ‘Mud Wall’ explaining how these were constructed.
As previously posted – Kings Dyke Nature Reserve have many events on all week, see the previous post.
We witnessed several ‘Cuckoo Bees’ something I had never seen or heard of before.
Excellent community news from our (2) Monthly magazines, with computer shops educating us as to the latest issues, unfortunately by the time we have received this information it is well old news….
I and NHW + action Fraud are trying to keep our local community as up to date as possible and as timely as we can.
Smishing – the term used for SMS phishing – is an activity which enables criminals to steal victims’ money or identity, or both, as a result of a response to a text message. Smishing uses your mobile phone (either a smartphone or traditional non-internet connected handset) to manipulate innocent people into taking various actions which can lead to being defrauded. The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau has received information that fraudsters are targeting victims via text message, purporting to be from their credit card provider, stating a transaction has been approved on their credit card. The text message further states to confirm if the transaction is genuine by replying ‘Y’ for Yes or ‘N’ for No. Through this method the fraudster would receive confirmation of the victim’s active telephone number and would be able to engage further by asking for the victim’s credit card details, CVV number (the three digits on the back of your bank card) and/or other personal information. Protect yourself:
as always our own Whittlesey Neighbourhood Watch Website provides a vast amount of help and information – to go to WNHW website Click Here
With so much happening I can not publish everything, here is a reminder of just some things to do this Bank Holiday Week…
From the Lattersey Nature Reserve Open Day -tomorrow Sunday 28th – The Circus at the Manor Field – or just enjoy a vast array of Buttercups in the Manor Field.
A lot happening at the Kings Dyke Nature Reserve later in the week>
I apologise to all about ‘harping’ on about this issue – but it would seem I am the only one..
After is it now 9 or 10 weeks (1) Toilet is still Out of Use…
I looked at the ‘new’ locking mechanism that has been put on the other (2) toilets and have my doubts as too how robust they are! – we shall have to wait and see..
Whilst on the Market Square had a good talk with the Street Scene Officers who were doing a survey and campaign of ‘one of my favourite subjects ‘Littering’ – still ‘they – FDC’ are making small progress.
It would appear (My informant was not these Street Scene Officers) that FDC and Peterborough City Council (PCC) are about to join forces in regards to enforcement of Littering etc…hopefully more regular patrols and ‘enforcement with prosecutions will take place – I and my ‘friends’ can not wait quick enough – bring it on!!!!!
I’ve been a ‘good boy’ and listened to her who must be obeyed! after 2 weeks of virtual house arrest, my operation recovery seems to be going to plan – well so far, the other issue of a serious torn tendon and ripped bicep can not at present be addressed.
So my 5 hours in town today I saw dozens of mainly well wishers, catching up with what’s happening.
Current MP Mr Steven Barclay was in town today, doing his pre-electioneering, and was engaging with a number of people outside the Co-Op when I caught up with him – as usual Steve Barclay was every pleasant and ‘convincing’ I did give him 3 questions.
1/ The Conservative/Coalition brought in raising the age for people to retire. In my wife’s case she lost out over £20,000 worth of pension as she will not be able to retire until she is nearly 65. (No answer) She worked for nearly 40 years expecting to retire at 60!
2/ We the ‘newish’ pensioners wishing for some respite in the governments austerity program look like we will loose out in the Winter Fuel allowance, I’ve only had one payment and doubt if I’ll see any more? (Means testing)
3/ My campaign for a ‘deposit scheme’ for Bottles/Cans/Plastics etc was not well looked at when I wrote him a letter early this year and posted on this site – we agreed to look into this further if/when he is re-elected. (To be continued)
I would have like to asked him about DLA/PIP below – but I’d had my 5 minutes!
1/ Those hundreds of thousands of people who were on Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and now have to undergo an extremely intimidating process of application and interviews, have a rejection rate of over 60% but when it goes to an ‘Independent appeal’ over 80% have their cases overturned. There is something fundamentally wrong with the process.
Along with the vast ‘over spent’ the government have paid ‘Capita’ to oversee the process.
By the way I am not in receipt of either DLA or PIP (Personal Independence Payment).
2/ The vast amount (£Billions) on overseas aid – I have seen at first hand where ‘some’ of this money ends up and it is not to those for which it was intended?
So there you have my 5 minutes worth of stardom – I don’t who else may have asked Steve Barclays questions or what they were.
As ‘everyone’ knows I am always Fair and a little later met the Labour Group on the Market Place – their candidate Mr Ken Rustidge was equally pre-electioneering and I gave him the same questions and more or less got the same answers!!!!! – except for the winter fuel allowance which ‘Labour’ have said they would keep under its present criteria.
Mr Ken Rustidge 2nd from the left, tells me he from the Oldham area but lives nearby Spalding, after Whittlesey he was off to Wisbech.
Interestingly whilst SB was in town there were 2 Police Officers and 2 PCSO’s roaming about, when SB departed so did all the Policing – I am not making judgement just stating what I saw…..
The UK threat level has been raised to Critical. AC Mark Rowley urges people to be calm but vigilant
https://news.npcc.police.uk/releases/terror-threat-raised-to-critical-national-policing-response …
Irrespective of where we live and work – report anything that may be suspicious,
It may not seem important – but the Police work like Jig-saws – putting together information and intelligence.
Action Fraud has received the first reports of Tech-Support scammers claiming to be from Microsoft who are taking advantage of the global WannaCry ransomware attack.
One victim fell for the scam after calling a ‘help’ number advertised on a pop up window. The window which wouldn’t close said the victim had been affected by WannaCry Ransomware.
The victim granted the fraudsters remote access to their PC after being convinced there wasn’t sufficient anti-virus protection. The fraudsters then installed Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, which is actually free and took £320 as payment.
It is important to remember that Microsoft’s error and warning messages on your PC will never include a phone number.Additionally Microsoft will never proactively reach out to you to provide unsolicited PC or technical support. Any communication they have with you must be initiated by you.
Report fraud and cyber crime to Actionfraud.police.uk
We still have a few places left on our;
Duties of Trustees: understanding the basics course this Thursday (May 25) in March.
This half day event has been specifically designed for community group trustees who are new to the role, or who have been trustees for some time, but would benefit from revising some of the key trustee roles and responsibilities.
25 May 9:30 – 12:30 at March Town Hall, Market Square,
March PE15 9JF
This course will provide trustees with an overview of their role and responsibilities including:
What Public Benefit means and how that makes an organisation charitable
• Roles and Responsibilities of Trustees
• Safeguarding the charity’s values, aims and objectives
• How Trustees should manage the strategic decision making such as
budgets, finance and policies
You can find out more and book your place here
or call us on 01223 464696
You may also be interested in our brand new course:
Storytelling for Impact June 6 1:30 – 15:45 at the Meadows Community Centre, 1 Saint Catharine’s Road, Cambridge, CB4 3XJ
Your charity’s stories are your lifeblood. They are the glue that bind your supporters to your cause and move other people to get involved. Told well, they can help you win partnerships, sponsors, fundraisers, ambassadors and patrons.
Come and learn the craft of good charity storytelling. Learn how to identify your heroes, and tell the tales of the challenges they overcome and how you help them to do this. Come away with content to get you started from this interactive, practical masterclass. Bring your smart phone as this session will use images, sound and video – not just words.
The trainer for this event is Natasha Roe from Red Pencil
Find out more and book your place here.
If you would like more information about any of our training or our other services for voluntary groups please call us on 01223 464696.
Kind regards,
Frances
Frances Carter
Administrator
Office 01223 464696
