Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

I plan to attend.

Update 110917 – 10:05 In addition to the meeting advertised below, there is a very good website with plenty of information re- local railways.

Fen Line Users Association

http://www.flua.org.uk/

The Whittlesey Festival 2017 10th Year

Okay – so the weather could have been kinder, but I arrived at 09:30 and there were already a few people there, as the morning progress hundreds and hundreds milling around the expanded event. There was something for everyone.
I eventually left at 5:15pm just as a few spots of rain appeared.
No fly-by the ‘Dakota and Hurricane’ unfortunately.
A very big thank you to the organisers and all the event support staff.

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Been a somewhat very busy week – along with my wife Connie – falling down a ‘Rabbit Hole’ on her health walk some 10 days ago and having a small fracture in her ankle making our busy life even more demanding – still worse things happen at sea!

Today Saturday our centuries old ‘Fair’ comes to town and although not what it was in the 60’s & 70’s – the weather has not been very kind.

Tomorrow is our annual Whittlesey Festival – well organised but unfortunately can not control the very autumn like weather, still I’m sure a good time will be had by everyone.

What is the point I ask….. I was one of a few thousand people asked to take part in the consultation looking into Cambridgeshire planning to remove NHS support for specialist fertility services. Our own GP at NQS, GP Dr Gary Howsan heads this conglomerate ‘quango’ – some 1,800 respondents took part in the consultation of which 80% were against the removal of this service within Cambs.

Whilst when interviewed on TV Dr Howsam ‘said’ it was a difficult decision to make. The group says it can save £700,000 if it scraps specialist fertility services, making it one of only five CCGs to do so.
The point I and many who are well informed is that whilst saving a relatively small amount in their £800 million budget – they continue to spend some £1.2 million on dishing out Ibuprofen a painkiller available over the counter without a prescription. It’s one of a group of painkillers called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Dr Gary Howsam, CCG chair, told the Cambridge News©  : last July
“We have had a good response to the consultation, with over 1,000 responses received so far.
“We want to hear from as many people as possible, so I would encourage local people to give us their views on the proposal.”

“We have to make some very difficult decisions about how best to spend our allocation. We have a growing demand for all types of healthcare services, as well as a significant deficit to clear. We are now in the difficult position where we have to evaluate every service we commission.”
“Once the consultation is complete, the CCG’s governing body will consider the feedback and views given during the consultation before making a decision.”
So Dr Howsan and CCG why was No Notice taken of the 80% of those who bothered to complete the consultation paper who asked for IVF to carry on within Cambs CCG.
No wonder this and other so called consultations are seen purely as ‘lip service’ to organisations – who by staute have to ‘consult’ the public.

So besides covering the New Queen Street Patients Group meeting, there was updates on the Kings Dyke Crossing, the emotive Councillors allowances and attendances article.
Wednesday saw the WTC planning meeting and some very positive feedback on my article regarding ‘The deposit scheme’ for cans, bottles and plastics….

Overall not a bad week for ‘a member of the public’ –

Next week – kicks off  on Monday with a meeting of the Community Rail Partnership meeting at Fenland Hall 6pm
A public open meeting…

No we will not be moving to Scotland, although some people would like us too….

One of my great passions as I have publicised many times is for a deposit scheme for Bottles/Cans/Glass and other recycled materials (MacDonald containers for example)
I have spoke too and written letters to our MP Stephen Barclay over many years – and was told by him incorrectly that there would be a cost to the Government.
I covered this and his reply earlier this year.
His commitment appears to be ‘Zero’ – all I am asking for is his support.
Sky News and other organisations have had a very big campaign on the amount of ‘Plastic’ being dumped, their campaign is almost daily in highlighting the problems.

So at last….The government of Scotland is bringing in legislation for a deposit scheme.
This proposed (hopefully successful) legislation has been in the making for some considerable time.
There was and still is considerable opposition to such a plan, mainly by drinks manufacturers such as ‘Coca-Cola’© – although they have now withdrawn ‘most’ of their opposition.
There are news articles (Not too long on the following links)
Sky-News 1

Campaigners say cash-back on empty bottles would reduce the number of littered bottles in Britain by 50,000 every day. Sky News 2
To get involved in Sky Ocean Rescue, visit the campaign website here. You can also watch our documentary, A Plastic Tide.

As I have asked before – come-on Steve Barclay – just asking for some support on this, not asking you to join The Greens or Hug Trees – just some common sense or is that asking too much.
By the way – there is NO Cost to the Government – as with the 5p Plastic Bag ‘tax’ the government make 20% on the vat element  and last year made £17 Million.

I have been collecting ‘other peoples’ rubbish and litter for most of my life, but somewhat more committed over the last 10 years or so.
I even collect rubbish when on holiday (sad I know).
We are very lucky here in Whittlesey in that our town and villages do not suffer to the same extent as other Fen Towns and Villages, plus we have a number of dedicated people who regularly go out and pick up other peoples rubbish and litter.

Only 5 Councillors in attendance including the Chair, 3 members of the public including myself.
25 applications….as some time since the last meeting.
The application F/YR17/0711/F was the most interesting…
Erection of a 3 story Extra Care Housing Scheme comprising of 13 x 2 bed and 47 x 1 with communal facilities (lounge, bistro, laundry, beauty room, scooter and cycle stores etc), offices and external works at Land North of Sorel Avenue.
This a the ‘Larkfleet’ development on Eastrea Road.
On reading through the application there are a number of objections from existing residents, mainly on noise, dirt, dust, and lack of progress on the developments infrastructure.
Whittlesey Town Council (As consultee’s only) proposed to recommend the development.
Once the developer decides to put in the application to FDC, it could be some time before this comes to be built, maybe Larkfleet will sell t on to a different developer/builder.

Is someone! winding me up! – asking me to comment on the above – well not a problem for me to comment on anything that may seem controversial – lets start with some basic information for those who may not know.

Town Councillors (Whittlesey) – Receive no allowances, the elected Mayor does receive a fixed out of pocket allowance and can claim mileage allowance. It is entirely up the individual whether they actually claim these allowances.

District Councillors (Whittlesey) Receive a basic allowance (£4676.64), plus special allowances if they are on committees or are chairman/woman of committees.

County Councillors (Whittlesey) similar to the above.

All District and County Councillors can if they so wish claim mileage allowances for work carried out directly related to their position, again Councillors can if they so wish not claim for these ‘expenses’.

All expenses must be documented correctly and are well audited before any payments made.  All Councils have to publish by law and make available ALL Councillors allowances, and expenses claimed.

Now we move to the recent ‘Allowance’ increase voted by Cambridgeshire County Councillors.

The 61 members of Cambridgeshire County Council currently take home a basic allowance of £7,933, the lowest in the country. But following a vote at a full council meeting recently a 30 per cent increase to £10,315 was agreed, bringing it in line with the national average for two-tier authorities.
This went against the independent pay review body – I believe as many councillors I spoke too was a big slap in the face to the public and electorate. Many councillors having just been elected in May 2017 and one of the first things ‘they’ did is give themselves a very large increase.

As I have commented before, I believe that a complete overhaul of Councillors allowances within Cambridgeshire should be carried out in a robust and fair way.
Councillors should not be out of pocket or have to subsidise out of their own money to carry out work on behalf of the electorate.
We have to remember no one is forcing a person to stand as a Councillor – it is a free choice.
The slap in the electorate face was and still is that other than ‘one’ councillor who abstained in the vote, the rest all went with the leader of the Council, but many (who privately disagreed) still voted themselves a 30% increase.
Will the electorate remember this come election time I doubt it – however I might just be the one to remind the electorate!!!!!!.

Councillors attendances, can again be subjective – I am very impressed by any Councillor who has attended 100% of meetings.
I believe all Councillors can have ‘time out’ for various reasons, whether holidays clash with meetings, or unfortunate health or medical problems cause none attendance.
I can hold my hand up in the respect that I/we go away regularly, however I would hope that any Councillor makes up time when they are able too.
There is no excuse for not being contactable even if you’re away. Naturally everyone understands someone being unwell and should try and contact someone else with their issue or question.

As far as Whittlesey Councillors are concerned Cllr Steve Garratt comes in as attending the fewest of meetings both at Fenland and at WTC attending only 3 out of a possible 11 meetings.

Unfortunately in the day and age of Social Media ruling the waves and many believing that everything they read is the truth – Councillors and activists like myself are in for a hiding irrespective of what-ever we do.
©FDC

We live is some sort of democracy and as I’ve said on many occasions – you/I have the opportunity to vote in or out who ever is brave enough to stick their neck out.
The be-moaners on social media are not brave enough to stick their necks out from behind their anonymity.

There is an article in last weeks Cambs Times© Page 33 regarding FDC Councillors attendances along with an editorial comment by John Elworthy

There is a ‘free’ digital edition of the Cambs Times© only requires registering.
http://www.cambstimes.co.uk/home

Whittlesey Town Councillors attendance can be viewed on the WTC Website
Click Here

Kier construction have been awarded the contract to built the Kings Dyke Bridge and the associated works required to complete the project, they have awarded Ramboll to design the project, (see below).
Cambs County Councillor (Whittlesey North) and chairman of the Kings Dyke project committee Cllr David Connor said….

“I am very pleased to announce the contractor has been chosen, local people have been looking for a solution to the problems caused by the K.D. level crossing for a very long time and their wish to see the scheme delivered as quickly and smoothly as possible.
It will be a benefit not only to the people of Whittlesey, but further afield and for the local economy.

A 6 month design process will now start, Council officers will work closely with ‘Kier Construction’ and their design partners ‘Ramboll’ on the details of the scheme’

Another step forward – Ramboll UK are the company who helped design and delivered the ‘New’ Forth Road Bridge – opened by the H.M. The Queen yesterday….
Naturally – the Whittlesey (80+ metre bridge) is not on the same design, cost or complexity as the Forth Road Bridge….

Of course in my dreams – it would have been nice to have a bridge like this….. keep dreaming …. Roy…. like many things in my life…

10 members of the public including myself attended this months meeting. The group acts as an interface between the Surgery and the patients.
I have been in the group since its inception.
The Patients Participation Group (PPG) has supported the practice in many ways, from raising funds for the ‘Blood Pressure Machine’ to the next project of paying and installing a ‘Water Cooler’.

Several items were covered, and a comprehensive update from the Practice Manager on what’s happening at the Surgery.
Maybe not many people realise the pressures placed on ALL surgeries through the whole country, with population increases and a shortage of doctors ….
One of the topics ‘always’ covered is that of ‘appointments’ – this is a ever challenging issue for this and The Jenner Health Centre.
There can only be a finite amount of appointments in a day, given the availability of Doctors, Nurses and support staff – I am NOT making any excuses on their behalf – I am reporting the facts I hear them.
There is and will be on going disappointment for anyone who can not get an appointment today or tomorrow, it is NOT always practical for the elderly to queue up at 07:50 on the good chance of getting an appointment today for example.
Several ‘newish’ ways of ‘squeezing’ more appointments is by telephone consultation, the Doctors and Nurses can ‘treat’ twice as many patients this way, rather than a face-to-face appointment.
I have publicised the ‘Doctors Hubs’ where-by there are appointments available at other aligned practices within the ‘Hub’, there will be an extra 20,000 appointments available this year within this system.

Of course ‘YOU‘ could learn a lot more about how the NHS and Surgery works here in Whittlesey, by joining the PPG – It costs ‘NOTHING’  – a couple of hours every few months, for direct information.
Details can be found on The NQS Website http://www.queenstreetsurgery.co.uk/

Please note: The Patients Participation Group is NOT an avenue to make complaints.
General ‘issues’ are brought up regularly.
There is a set procedure in place for individual patients who have issues or complaints to follow, and these are dealt with as per set governance of the practice.
These are dealt with in a timely and fair manner.

(To see page 2 ‘click’ on the small arrow in the bottom left hand corner)

More controversy about (County Councillors) allowances which I will cover and comment on later.

As my previous post, my thanks to the RBL (Whittlesey) for flying the MN Flag, I did ask a number of partying public if they knew the flag and unfortunately none did- which I am not surprised – still ‘we’ know. A good turn out on the Square with about the same number of happy revellers as last weeks event.
The weather ‘just’ held – but by the end at 5pm it just started to drizzle.
Still well done to The Whittlesey Lions and the supporters who made the event.

There is a WTC Planning meeting this Wednesday 06th September – for which I will post up the agenda shortly – some interesting applications….

There is a Patients Participation Group meeting at The New Queen Street Surgery on
Monday 04th September @ 7pm – I plan to attend, it is a public open meeting.

Next Sunday of course is The Whittlesey Festival – another fantastic event (weather permitting) with lots to see and do, more to follow.

A couple of break-ins this week, one where the low life just walked in – doors not locked.

Finally, some Riff Raff – decided to dump a settee at Kings Delph Layby – has been reported and hopefully to be removed shortly – and yes I am aware of ‘Travelling People’ at the New Road Car Park area.

Lots of events this weekend, fetes, family events and fund raising.

The Whittlesey Lions – another fantastic group of ‘Volunteers’ who raise a lot of money for local groups and enhancements – celebrating 100 years…. photo’s coming if I make the event….