Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Earlier today a correspondent sent me this photo, another bit of Fly-Tipping along High Causeway (Not the first time) almost opposite ‘Boots Chemist’ – when I went and had a look this evening, someone? had added a couple of small chest of draws behind the Settee…. WTC are on the case I am told.
The good news is that FDC’s rapid response team will get it removed – it is just not only annoying but a sorry state of some people we have in Whittlesey. I just hope it doesn’t get any worse.

There is a PPG meeting tonight 7pm at NQS – Which I plan to attend.
A recent communication from Dr Gary Howsam.

“As you all know I have been using some of my working week to Chair the Greater Peterborough Local Commissioning Group, and represent our area on the CCG Governing Body.
I recently applied for, and was appointed to, a new role as CCG Chief Clinical Officer and Clinical Chair.
This new role carries a lot more responsibility and will require a bigger time commitment. It will take up two and a half days a week. This will mean that from October 1st I will be reducing my practice commitment to two days a week. I will be resigning half my partnership duties from that date. (subject to final ratification of my new role by the Governing Body).
Although my number of days at the practice will be reduced I am still fully committed to improving the quality of care we can provide to our patients, and ensuring the practice remains fit for the future and the increasingly difficult challenges ahead (in terms of increasing workloads, reducing workforce and reducing financial resources)
I hope that my experiences working outside the practice, across the bigger system, will allow me to bring benefits to our team from observing the solutions others have successfully implemented- both locally and nationally.”

Photo © Peterborough ET

Started off by collecting more ‘rubbish’ my main ‘hobby’ in Whittlesey – how sad?
In case you are not aware I go out about 3/4 times a week depending on if I am here and the weather of course.
I do keep a record of the ‘Sad’ amount of Rubbish I collect!!!

Next went to the Library/Hub, to see another successful event ‘The Ukulele Taster’ where some 25 or so people turned up to a lively session. Tea/Coffee & Cakes put on by the FOWL committee ladies. I am not sure how many actually signed up for the complete course but quite a few.

Please see notice about CAB Session Cancelled

Connie prepared a ‘Wonderful’ indoor BBQ this afternoon for guests from Malaysia.
The two young ladies are pharmacy graduates who have completed there UK training and have been working for the past year at The ‘Independent Chemist’ on Market Street.
They are about to return to M’sia by the end of August.
Pictured (l-r) Emily, Yee Chun, Connie G, Anna Lim, Nancy G & RG – what more could a man want fantastic food, drink and 5 very nice ladies to be entertained by.

Good to see Flags flying in support of ALL our Armed Forces

For more information Click Here

There was events on Cathedral Square most of the day – Including Rain and Hail

It is my ‘understanding’ that the contractors for/on behalf of FDC –  ‘ISS’ have been ‘punished’ by a substantial amount for not complying with their obligations and the number of complaints received.
The contract with FDC came into effect on the 01st Nov 2015 and is for a 5 year contract with options to extend for a further 5 years – the contract is worth in the region of £500K per annum. The previous contractors The Landscape Group contract was in the region of £600K per annum
Today Saturday at 09:45 I saw the ISS contractor arriving on Aliwal Road, I asked how come he was now doing Saturdays – having previously being told ISS would not pay for any overtime/Saturday work. He said that it was because ‘they’ were so behind, however he then said he couldn’t do the Manor Field as Children were playing on it.
The Mower he is using is totally inappropriate for a small/medium field so he went off the Recreation area on Station Road – When they do ‘attempt’ to mow the Manor Field with this type of mower it takes nearly a whole day to do it. He was gone by the time I returned around 14:00.
Yes I and many others are sympathetic in regards the weather not being favourable and its was only yesterday when they did my estate (See many previous posts)
Further to yesterdays post : Here is our 16 Minutes ‘Worth’!!!!!

Yes today I did go to our WTC Councillors surgery and gave credit where it is due and still highlighted ‘some’ of the other issues we have…

To view ISS ‘blurb’/PR on their contract with FDC – Click Here

Interesting quote from this document “Councillor Peter Murphy, Fenland District Council’s Cabinet member responsible for the environment, said:

“We are looking forward to working closely with ISS to ensure that all our open spaces continue to be looked after in the best possible way. We take a lot of pride in the high quality of all our grounds maintenance, which has been a key factor in our terrific record in Anglia In Bloom, and we’re confident that will continue.”

Today after 3 weeks 3 days the FDC Contractor returned to our estate – to be fair ‘Frank’ did spend 16 minutes as opposed to the 4.5 minutes he had done last time, and made a somewhat better job that ‘he’/they’ had done before.
Still no where ‘perfect’ but at least acceptable for a while – we still have other ‘issues’ with the rest of the area and hopefully this will at some stage be addressed.
I also saw that the grass along the ‘Bower’ at Briggate East was done – a large lorry with a massif cutter on its ‘crane’ did ‘some sort of job – but left a ‘hedgehog’ by the railings.

This morning Cllr Ray Whitwell, KC and PCSO Moll ‘repaired’ the vandalised gate at the Whittlesey end of the Cycle Route.
‘Someone’ had again had a go at the gate so it could not be closed.
There are on-going ‘issues’ regarding this ‘Cycle Route’ and vehicles.
It is hoped that a resolution is on its way in the near future.

                                                        ©Cllr Chris Harper Website

Peterborough South City Councillor Stanground South has an excellent website with all the latest in regards to this planning application – if you are interested then go to his website…
Cllr Chris Harper

The potential ‘issues’ surrounding this application are far reaching (Including Whittlesey & Traffic issues) the above link will take you through the ‘history’ – up-to-date with what is happening….

Well this is becoming a minefield to say the least – I am making (some progress) a lot of contacts with residents all over Whittlesey, I have asked the assistance and help from Cllr Dee Laws to get information for me.
To date, it ‘appears’ and many insurance companies have ‘jumped’ on the bandwagon in the respect of Whittlesey being ‘close’/’nearby’/’adjacent’/’within’ – you name the excuse –
A Flood Risk Area – well what has changed – maybe the Environment Agencies Flood Risk assessment! – I don’t know.
What I do know is several elderly residents do NOT have any form of insurance because of the recent ‘hike’ in their premiums. Many residents have told me of their premium more than doubling this year, two residents (so far) had a 200% rise in their quoted premium.
Many insurance companies are NOT quoting for certain postcodes within the Whittlesey area, does this constitute they ‘Being Refused Insurance’ – in which case does this mean
this needs to be divulged when making further applications for insurance!

You can view the Environment Agency Website – Risk of Flooding from Rivers and Sea by

Clicking Here

This is an on going issue and I hope to update periodically as/when further information becomes available.

Disclaimer: These observations are not the ‘official’ minutes of the meeting, these are supplied by Whittlesey Town Council, normally (1) month following the meeting and can be viewed on their website

Only myself, Norman & Nigel Bedford (had applications on agenda) & Mr Mick Woolaston as public attended.

Planning-agenda-22nd-June-2016

As per agenda, Mr Woolaston began his presentation on behalf of residents of Snowley Park/Glenfields Action Group, with a very passionate delivery of issues (Section 106) surrounding applications in that area under construction – namely the none discharge of monies allocated under the various agreements.
Mr Woolaston was stopped by the Chair (Mrs Jolly) as his delivery had no relevance to the planning application being considered tonight by the committee (F/YR16/0392/F & F/YR16/0393A) – however several councillors were sympathetic to other issues contained in Mr Woolastons presentation namely Planning Conditions and Construction Management Plans/Issues. A very good debate continued and some support given to Mr Woolaston in these respects.
Later when the applications (above) were considered – the committee decided to ‘defer’ the decision until all conditions have been adhered and discharged.
The rest of the meeting went as per agenda.
No mention was made in regard to the Kings Dyke Level Crossing.
No mention was made in regard to the proposed Anaerobic Digester (AD) at Horsey Toll
These items were not on the agenda – why not!

I hope to have some information regarding the (AD) in a few days.

My thanks to Haley Wynn (r) from the Library Services and Jackie Bullen (l)  Secretary of Friends of Whittlesey Library (FOWL)
Yesterday 22nd we attended the AGM of the Cambs Libraries, 28 attendees of which 20 or so were from Friends Groups.
Remember FOWL was formed some 7 years ago, when ALL Library services were threatened by Cambs County Council with severe cutbacks and closures (Where have we heard this before I wonder).

I have been with the group since near its beginnings, and was asked to make the annual presentation on behalf of the Whittlesey Group.
Besides being a very challenging time for our library which was closed/part closed for 4 months, this put a great deal of pressure both on staff and friends, but all appears to come out fairly well – thanks to a lot of hard work by everyone and support from the County Group.
There are 32 Libraries in Cambridgeshire.
10 libraries are run entirely by ‘Volunteers’
The cutback by Cambs CC on Library Services from £6m 3 years ago to £3m today.
There are some exciting plans in the pipeline for services – that will be trialled first, one being able to access the Library out of hours using your library card- this will not come to all libraries.
As stated in my previous post, Whittlesey Friends will be hosting many more events in the coming months, hopefully for everyone young and old to enjoy.
‘We’ few – as always are looking for people, especially younger generation to join the group.
Why not come along this Saturday for a coffee and cake – try out a ‘free’ taster session of a Ukulele lesson…. try before you buy and then its only £3 a session.

Jill Terrell Acting Head of Community & Cultural Services And Library Service Manager delivering the Key Note Speech yesterday at St Neots.