Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Last week I attended 6 meetings and 2 this week – overflow with information facts & figures. Lets stay as positive as possible….firstly what another fantastic job the Friends of Whittlesey Library have achieved… ‘New Blinds’ for all the large front windows… matching nicely with the rest of the décor….Today a small but enthusiastic group turned out for the ‘Goosebumps’ film and a lucky winner of the £10:00 prize draw topped it off.

The new blinds now allow the interior to show events without being ‘overly’ dark and with just the right effect. The FOWL committee kept the work locally and ‘Blinds-In-Harmony’ have done a very good job. The Friends have carried out some significant improvements since their inception – Another Whittlesey Volunteer Group – helping our community.

Many of ‘us’ have been very vocal and complaining to Councillors of the ‘state of the Kings Delph  Lay-by for some considerable time (Years) – Now there has been a small but significant improvement to the road surface – I say ‘small’ as I wouldn’t call the job itself a Grade 1 improvement – but still kudos needs to be given to Cllrs Ralph Butcher and Alex Miscandlon for their involvement with Cambs Highways. The ‘patched up’ part of the road is where there were ‘ruts; some 18/24 inches deep and it was only going to be a matter of time before a lorry would have tipped over. Now what still needs addressing is the continued – excrement issue’ – disgusting people

Finally another ‘Autumn in Whittlesey picture’                                                             Have a nice weekend….

Fun for all Children and maybe Adults – Friends of Whittlesey Library are putting on ‘Goosebumps’  – See poster above – click on picture to enlarge….

Lots already elsewhere about the ‘Planning controversy/Noise/Dirt/Mud’ – I had a quick look around this afternoon and yes I would not want to live along the access road under these conditions. I don’t know when the builder has the road sweeper clean up the road,  my photo taken at around 3pm – I did hear that it was supposed to be done daily!
It is going to be a long while before things improve.
I remember well the planning application at WTC – and the concerns ‘we’ as the councillors were at that time – most of these concerns disappeared at the decision making – Planning meeting at FDC – still as said many times – nothing new in this.
Maybe the residents should have kept a photo/video diary of the road conditions (better or worse) to back up their complaints.

A large number of applications, which WTC Planning Committee have to consider.
At the end of the meeting it was suggested that due to the number – that perhaps more frequent meetings be held – thus reducing both the length of the meetings and addressing the delay in consideration and determination that exists at present.

The major application considered was those concerning The Falcon Hotel –
F/YR16/0802/F – basically wanting to enlarge their facilities/bedrooms etc.
‘Quote’ Whilst wishing to encourage business within the town, this application was recommended for refusal’ – Due to Parking and Highway concerns and issues.

(Picture = Crest of The Falcon – at the rear of the building)

Whittlesey Town Council – Planning Committee are ‘consultees’ on planning matters.
The determination of an application is made by Fenland District Council – either by an Officer or by the FDC Planning Committee –

Nice autumnal colours covering a house in the Low Cross area….

I am always questioning the resources FDC put into cleaning and cleansing – luckily we have (2) excellent Street Cleaners – however they do with a ‘Trigger Brush’ (Only Fools & Horses®)  – we are told that the Street Sweeper comes weekly – really and that the Buttercross is jet washed weekly – really – Look what high tech equipment Peterborough City Council have – a battery powered self propelled – environmentally friendly sucker/sweeper and vacuum – He made easy work in half an hour all of Church Street – Clean – Spick & Span…. Come on Fenland move somewhere to the 20th century….

As reported earlier in the year – The main Post Office in Peterborough has now moved from Church Street to Bridge Street (W.H. Smith) – there are certain facilities you can only do at a main Post Office

Lots of applications – See below.

Click on pictures to enlarge…

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