Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Now the election for the Police & Crime Commissioner is over, I note that on this occasion for the Cambs PCC position that for the whole of Cambridgeshire the turn-out was 30:56% – this is pretty good – however for the Fenland Region the turnout was only 18:23% which shows the level of interest for Fenland. I accept that the publicity other than that on the web and a couple of hustings was pretty abysmal.
The electorate is apathetical for elections in general – and this election was no different.
The 81% of those who didn’t or couldn’t be bothered to vote, are normally the most vocal when it comes to complaining…..but there we are – what’s new.
More information on the results can be found on FDC’s website by Click Here

This event has been well advertised, both here and many other forums. I attended along with 14 other members of the public, which included New Queen Street Patients Participation committee members and (2) WTC Councillors.

There was confusion from some of the public who thought it was about ‘Closing Down Pharmacies’ – No No No – I will add at the end the consultation link where if people are interested can fill in the questionnaire. I have done this before.
Doctor Richard Spires gave an excellent presentation and pre-empted some of the questions that may have be asked.

The ‘crux’ of this consultation is about having to save money – (How many times have we heard this) – But is it a reality unfortunately like it or not.
Some items that are prescribed such as pain killers, can be bought over the counter for example. Other areas which were being looked at are contained in the presentation notes below.

I asked (2) questions which Dr Spires answered very well.
1/ Is this the beginning of the short edge of the wedge? –
Answer – Yes – Vast savings have to be made – and these detailed here is only a small
proportion of what has to be done.
How big is the wedge of course?

2/ Why is it that some medicines/prescriptions are available for free in Scotland and some
parts of England but not here in Cambridgeshire?
Answer – Like many things it is a ‘Post Code Lottery’ as who get what and when – it is a
Government decision?

Click on pictures to enlarge…..

 
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Click Here CCG Have Your Say

The CAB service is back at the Library/Learning Hub on Fridays.
Unlike before when ‘customers’ arrived and signed in – and waited in turn –
Now – You have to get a numbered ticket from the counter.
There are only 4 time slots available
.
Therefor if you are NOT one of the first 4 – you will not be seen on that Friday.
Below is the web link to the Rural Cambs CAB Service.

http://www.ruralcambscab.org.uk/

Naturally when I am informed of any developments within my articles/posts, I am more than happy to make corrections and or updates.
Our Neighbourhood Police Team, informed me today (09th) that there were in fact 8 sets of signage informing drivers of the Railway Crossing Closure.

They believe that the ‘White Vans’ may have been Network Rail contractors.
The Police Van was at the level crossing on several occasions during the day (Not whilst I was there)

So several calls to report ‘issues’ at Kings Dyke Crossing (Remember Station Road Crossing is also closed). So ‘zoomed’ up there on my mobility scooter to witness some idiotic drivers…. Whilst I sat there (1 hour from 15:15 to 16:15) I witnessed 53 vehicles driving right up the last barrier and turning around to go back (towards Whittlesey direction).
There was 22 vehicles that came from the other direction then turned back towards Kings Delph.
2 vehicles (Both White Van Man) decided the rules were not meant for them and drove around the barriers and crossed the Level Crossing (Gates were open).
(See above)
From the Kelly Vision Round-about (A605) there are 8 advanced warnings that the road was closed – so why did so many people (53 in just that one hour) attempt to ‘see’ if the crossing was open…..
Are these the same people who say they are never informed? – Didn’t bother to read the advance notices.
Now I must comment that on WTC Website there is a Road Closure link (Empty) – but then again if the Council are not advised (They normally are) then we are NOT informed.
No excuses for the White Van Man…. I am but a humble observer – it is NOT my job to police the road – we have paid officials to do that. (See correction above)

I just hope there is a camera monitoring the crossing…..

Sold out some time ago, the return of the Opera Dudes, another very successful event put on by Friends Of Whittlesey Library (FOWL) – supported by the Arts Council.
A full house, everyone enjoyed for a very reasonable price, nearly 2 hours of Music, Comedy and light Opera by the very talented Opera Dudes.
Plus light refreshments !!!!! – what more can one ask for….

    
Concierge – Not!         Some of the Committee resting   All quiet before the Show

Click Here to the Dudes Website

Some of the Fowl Committee with The Opera Dudes at 2nd from the left Neil Allen and 5th from the left Tim Lole – Just warming up.

10/10 for a very entertaining evening

Click on pictures to enlarge.

The next event FOWL will be putting on is ‘Ukulele Lessons’ –  coming soon…..

Keeping an eye on the election results, including Peterborough? – they are our neighbours! I note that ex leader Marco Cereste came 3rd in Hampton Vale and is re-elected….?
No elections for Councils here is Whittlesey/Fenland other than Police & Crime Commissioner.
This morning I did a Public relations exercise promoting the Patients Participation Group for New Queens Street Surgery.

On the whole ‘I’ am very pleased with the service I receive at NQS – Yes we would all like more timely appointments – the Surgery Management are well aware of these challenges.
There will be an inspection (CQC) of the Surgery in the near future and the PPG have been invited to play an active role. In the next week or so we will be in the surgery to encourage patients to fill in questionnaires.

Then went into town and must have met up with over 20 people who wanted a ‘chat’ nice day – but not a lot of people using the Market (very quiet).

Then went and did some basic ‘sound and noise’ checks along Peterborough Road – there are concerns of the level of traffic noise being generated. I will be doing a much more in depth survey over the next few weeks to gather more information.

Finally did some therapeutic Litter Picking along the Millennium Cycle Route  – out at McCains…. Look what has been Fly-Tipped – It is becoming a ‘regular’ place to off load junk.

Dates for Road Closures – Ramsey Road Level Crossing.

A few interesting items – I plan to attend.
Including electing New mayor and Deputy Mayor.
To view the Agenda FC-Agenda-11th-May-2016

The recently installed signage along the cycle route 63 / Green Wheel have been removed.

See full article  by Cllr Ray Whitwell –

Click Here

I am hosting a fund raising race night at Childers on the 3rd June to help purchase a special bed for a special little boy whose mother lives in Chesterfield but father and family live here in Wsey. He can not have his little lad stay with him until he has one of these beds so hope me sharing this link and asking for sponsors of the races at £25 or sponsors of horses that you can name at only £5 is acceptable?
If you are able to attend the event that will be great and hopefully a fun night for all, we already have Childers and Easy Move kindly sponsoring so require 6 more sponsors as there will be 8 races, meaning also 64 horses to be named and sponsored, please click the link to donate and please be sure to name your race sponsorship as this will appear in the programmes and also to name your horse! Many thanks your anticipated support is much appreciated from myself and the family we are helping 

https://www.gofundme.com/noahsbed

Kind regards,
James Atkins
Easy Resettlement Ltd
Forces Recruiting Ltd
01733 205938
07825 212157

https://www.gofundme.com/noahsbed

You can view the video (1 hour) that was taken at the Cambs Times© organised Hustings last week in Wisbech by clicking – Here

I can understand to a certain degree the ‘apathy’ at elections. Tomorrow ‘we’ in Whittlesey get the opportunity to vote and elect a ‘new’ Police & Crime Commissioner.
At the previous election less than 20% turned out to vote.
‘People/Public’ are quick to complain and of course if asked ‘did you’ vote – they ALL did!
The PCC’s role is mainly to ‘hold’ the Chief Constable to account, the PCC sets the budget and the local tax we pay.
In fairness – I had the opportunity to meet Sir Graham Bright on many occasions and ask questions, I also attend meetings where his deputy or Press Officer attend.
He has tried to employ a ‘Liaison Assistant’ although none seemed to last very long.
Tomorrow if you have not done so by post – is YOUR opportunity to vote for a candidate.
After reading all (4) candidates promo material…..they are ALL making lots of promises!
This important position has unfortunately become ‘Politically biased’ – it should never have been like this – but there we are…..politicians !

I do not ‘normally’ do ‘rumours/hearsay’ but this is slightly different.
After ‘nearly’ everyone in the whole of Whittlesey – against Tesco planning to build on at least 3 sites, blaming them/developers for delaying the Sainsburys application, which then was part of the cause for them (Sainsbury) to pull out.
Now all Supermarkets are reviewing their business models – most sit of vast land banks.
Did I hear that ‘maybe’ Tesco/developer’ may now look for building houses on their Cemetery Road site. This again ‘could’ be controversial, in access and other issues.
We will wait and see if this ‘hear-say’ is correct – and by the way it was told to me by someone who comes from outside of Whittlesey!

My usual disclaimer – I have owned Tesco shares since 1999 and they are worth – less today than when I bought them.
(Financial advisers please take note when changing out of your school shorts into long trousers!)