email sent by Sainsburys David Mills Head of Property & Communications.
His details are given, if you wish to comment to him about Sainsburys decision.

I am writing to update you on our plans for a new supermarket in Whittlesey following on from our previous correspondence last November.
We have been carrying out an internal review of the plans, and I am afraid we have now taken the decision not to progress with a new supermarket in Whittlesey. 

I wanted to let you know at the earliest opportunity and explain why we have made this difficult decision.  

The context for the decision are fundamental changes in the grocery sector – a combination of cyclical and structural shifts have led to some of the toughest market conditions for 30 years.
For example people’s shopping patterns have changed considerably since we unveiled our plans five years ago. There is an increased focus on convenience and online shopping, and customers are increasingly shopping little and often, with smaller basket sizes.
We recognise that this news will be disappointing, particularly given the strong levels of support for a new supermarket in the area.  

We’ve worked hard to bring forward these plans but we simply cannot progress with a scheme that will be unviable in the long-term. 

I know this this is not the response or news that you had been hoping for. 

If you have any further questions or wish to discuss the matter in more detail please do contact me on david.mills@sainsburys.co.uk or 07900 709393.
David Mills | Head of Property Communications |
david.mills@sainsburys.co.uk | 07900 709393

From Bruce Smith…’quote’

I have just this minute heard From the chairman of the Country Park who  has spoken directly to Chris Templeman of Sainsburys, Templeman said that Sainsburys have no intention of building a store in Whittlesey.

I think this is a  disgraceful decision by Sainsburys bearing in mind the support that Whittlesey has given them in the past, this is is nothing more than corporate treachory.

I would have liked to have seen more support from our MP

On the agenda at this Wednesdays WTC meeting will be ‘Parking Charges’, irrespective of our Whittlesey Town Councils decision (which I hope will be to reject any charges), ultimately it will be Fenland District Councillors who will make the final decision, as with Planning applications!.
The Cambs Times© has reported that their maybe 17 FDC councillors who maybe in favour of bringing in charges (No names). Nothing yet picked up by the StreetLifers who are normally quicker off mark.

Reading some of the arguments, mainly about raising revue to cover the sort fall in central governments cutbacks to local authorities, police and fire services.
I won’t provoke the argument that it has been a Conservative administration hammering the Conservative ‘Shires’ disproportionally in all these cutbacks – No conservative councillor complained when the Labour government threw money at all and sundry.

It has been quoted that it is going to cost around £1 million to set up parking charges, then it has to be ‘policed/monitored’ at another cost.
The advocates say there is a profit to be made! – how long it would take they did not say.
My argument is like many, bringing in parking charges will surely be the death of our businesses within Whittlesey.
Free parking at Hampton, Cardea and Brotherhood retail parks will benefit further than they do already.
There is of course some ‘middle’ ground – that being ‘Free Parking for say 3 hours, allowing the vast amount of people to carry out their business/shopping etc, then make charges…..but then we go back to the ‘issue’ of monitoring/policing and cost.

I say ‘Keep Free Parking’ in Whittlesey, 7 days a week 24 hours a day.

If you want to keep Free Parking – lobby your councillor, sooner the better, otherwise they may ‘think’ the public are not bothered.
Do it Now before you start to see this….

Unfortunately I am unable to attend – there are some very important ‘issues’ on the agenda, including:

1/ F/2010/15CC Planning application for the proposed Kings Dyke Bridge crossing.
2/ Presentation of council rate/precept for 2016/17
3/ Showfields update
4/ Car Parking charges.

Click on link below to see the full agenda

FC-Agenda-13th-January-2016

During my engagements I have come across some information that may be of interest to yourselves and local residents:

Environmental Waste.

Before Christmas I had an interesting meeting with the Enforcement Team Leader at the Environment Agency. I was informed that there is a growing problem of illegal waste dumping within Cambridgeshire. As a result, they have put together a poster to raise awareness of this problem within our communities: ‘Don’t get dumped on’.
As the attached poster and flyer details, teams of criminals are approaching land / property owners, offering cash to store waste. They promise to return and remove the waste, but they do not – leaving the land / property owner with large quantities of potential unsafe waste. The message encapsulates concerns about the large scale illegal dumping of waste and linked serious fire and environmental risks.

Those at risk would be farmers or landlords of warehouses and land, and it occurs in both rural and urban settings.
Anyone can report suspicious activity to the Environment Agency via their 24-hr incident line 0800 807060, Crimestoppers 0800 555111 or via the 101 service.

Poster for support sessions Jan – March 2016

Local Voluntary Organisations.
On a more positive note, I am trying to raise awareness of support services for community and voluntary groups within Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. We are really trying to empower and support local groups as we recognise the amazing work they do within our local communities.

Some information on the Cambridge Council for Voluntary Service who offer guidance and training for organisations across the Fenlands. They are hosting a number of workshops and sessions over the next three months that may also be of interest (also attached).

Please do forward the posters on to any of your local groups that may benefit from this service, or give their office a call on 01223 464696 for more information. 

I hope this is of some use to you. As always, please do contact me if you have any enquires.
Best wishes,

Emily Gutteridge.
Outreach Worker – Peterborough and Fenland
Office of the Cambridgeshire Police & Crime Commissioner

Email: Emily.Gutteridge@cambs.pnn.police.uk
Mobile: 07894 482898
Mobex: 7112652

Web: http://www.cambridgeshire-pcc.gov.uk/

PCSO Moll Whitlesey reported today 07th January 2016

Had some burglaries reported over last 24 hrs – one got in through unlocked door and other was failed attempt on patio doors
Happened in Bassenhally Rd and Hemmerley Drive.

Be aware and look after/inform your neighbours.

www.whittleseynhw.org.uk/

‘The Library is partially open’

I’ve just asked about the completion of the works at the library and we are still working towards reopening on 29th February. However, as I’m sure you appreciate that with all major building works we may well find that weather delays progress, parts are not delivered, and any number of other problems occur!
Thank you all for your patience throughout this difficult time – we should have a very sound, smart and energy efficient building at the end.

Happy New Year to you all and best wishes,

Lynda
Lynda Martin
Operations and Development Manager
Cambridgeshire Libraries
Culture and Community Services
Cambridgeshire County Council

– Naturally NO councillor informed me of such I had to find out myself….. am I surprised!
Hopefully it will evolve for ALL to benefit!

click on link to take you there…. www.whittleseytc.com

From Far Away…..Wishing a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

Hope we are a Flood Free, Whittlesey for 2016

Greetings from ‘The Thambapanni Retreat’ in Unawatuna – Sri Lanka’

Roy & Connie

The website is having a holiday….I’ll post up anything important.
                         Merry Christmas

Roy and Connie Gerstner

On a wet, dark night 15 Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators attended the quarterly meeting.
In attendance also PC Rem Kajzer & PCSO Ian Moll
For the record Ian gave out a parking ticket on the way to the meeting.
We covered a variety of minor issues and concerns.
Two new potential co-ordinators attended

We welcome everyone and our next meeting will be held on
Tuesday March 15th @ 7:00 Grosvenor House (Whittlesey Town Council Offices)

Note PVSO Moll is NOT a Traffic Warden, but when he orders his ‘Ticket Book’
He orders 4 at a time!