Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

The answer is ?

A recent e-mail from our Mayor David Mason, set out a multitude list of questions that had been put together (by whom I do not know) the list went forever.
‘I’ was under the impression that this document had been discussed by the rest of the Councillors. I sent an e-mail thanking those who put this document together and asked DM if the contents were ‘confidential’ or for public knowledge. I have as yet not received a reply. ( I am not disclosing the actual contents, only the subject)
A number of questions submitted were/are not FDC’s remit…..

However a number of WTC/FDC Councillors were not ‘Happy’ with its contents, and wished to be ‘disassociated’ from its contents – and gave their reasons!
For some considerable time, both the Chief Executive Paul Medd and the leader of FDC John Clarke have been ‘unavailable’ to attend any meetings that David Mason has been trying to arrange.
So now we go back to accountability – The Councillors who ‘objected’ I agree put their reasons – however it seems very much like pre-election jitters to me.
Any negatives what-so-ever and they will have a go….. at someone –  probably at me now –
Individually most WTC/FDC Councillors as I have said before have worked ‘very’ hard and passionately for our town, some have not! and remember ‘they’ might well fall out about various things pretty regularly, but when it comes to election they’ll stick together as all political groups do. I have a great deal of respect for Whittlesey Town Council, we have delivered some fantastic projects over the past 4 years.

I’ll say again – national politics are for the country, local elections should not be politicised – (overly influenced by politics).
That’s why I like to be ‘Independent’

Last post on this subject was Nov 19th 2014….

Yes I admit it! – Got it wrong…..ALL of Whittlesey Town Councillors fought and backed the residents of Whittlesey in refusing on good grounds the controversial planning application for the Showfields site.
Showfields lost on the appeal.
I thought (wrongly) that Mr. Rose (residing somewhere near Oundle and a Town Councillor) would have got the message loud and clear.
No he and his family are re-applying again.
Now until I see the detailed plans it would be wrong of me or any other Councillor to be pre-judgemental.
But just by cutting the number of houses by 29 doesn’t seem to me to be a great deal?
Before ‘anyone’ considers buying a house in that area check the insurance rates.
I live on the opposite side of the town, (above sea-level) and all the quotes I got last year had gone up significantly….the question on the form being –
1/ How far from a river, drain, or water course do you live.
2/ How far away do you live from a flood plane?
My house insurance went up 33% and yes I did the shop around….

It looks very much like ‘Who’ has the deepest pockets with this application, the land in question with planning permission I would imagine to be worth a substantial amount of money….

Fenland District Council.
On the 11^th March 2015 at 10:00-1:30 we have arranged to do a Rest Centre Exercise at the Manor Leisure Centre.

This will involve having a scenario of people being evacuated to the Rest Centre (Manor Leisure Centre’s Hall) which is a place where they would stay until the emergency/incident has been brought under control and it is safe for them to leave.
Unless they need to leave earlier. It would involve booking them in and out of the Rest Centre along with keeping them up to date of the scenario situation.
We are looking for public volunteers to play the role of the public coming into the Rest Centre.
Anytime they can spare would be really appreciated. Plus there would be free tea and biscuits.

NHS Summary Health Records (SCR)

‘The Government / NHS are/will be using SCR’s, – basically your Health records, prescriptions and other related health records will be available to anyone within the NHS who is ‘allowed’ access to them.
The main advantages are if you were away from home/on holiday in the UK or involved in an accident locally, those attending to you would be able to access your SCR.
Those who DO NOT want to have these records available MUST ‘OPT OUT’
There is publicity in the public domain.
For more information you can contact you local GP Surgery or
www.nhscarerecords.nhs.uk
0300 303 5678

For New Queen Street Surgery visit their website to find out more and if required an
OPT OUT form.
www.queenstreetsurgery.co.uk

Present and ‘would be’ councillors are upping their ‘anti’ as the election date draws closer.
I and many others find it almost ‘unbelievable’ that ‘some of the‘ would be councillors have NEVER attended a single council meeting ever, now this of course is their course of action. Never attended planning meetings, never attended community events/projects.
But….as some UKIP County Councillors in Wisbech who were elected never having done any campaigning, never been involved in community projects, never attended any previous council meetings, met with a great ‘brick wall’ when the electorate decided to vote them in.
‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’  your present councillors, most have been very passionate about their electorate, whether they voted for that particular Councillor or not.
Some have just ‘cruised along’, some are very quiet but work hard in the background.
When election time comes – you the voter has the final choice….
Never mind the National ‘Spin’ and ‘Promises’ you/we all know that ‘most’ promises never reach the statute book.
Ask what has YOUR Councillor done for YOU and YOUR community, – the would be ‘paper candidate’ is mainly there to make a ‘political statement’ – Sorry not required in local/town councils.
Your Vote – Your Call… I urge people to use their vote carefully…

Having seen ‘some’ comments on Shape-Your-Place and others in the press…..
It would appear that ‘we’ at WTC did not consult or take notice of ‘Public’ opinion.
I have to agree that although the due process and consultation was completed correctly, that ‘the project’ seemed rather rushed through (Because the money allocated had to be spent by April 2015) so we were told.
When discussed at WTC on several occasions, I believe we only received (corrected 2) letters opposing the planned move.
The projected was very well advertised and personally only received questions on ‘Why’ the move was taking place.
I admit that at the time I was very sceptical of moving the Bus Stop from the Market Place, but Yes I did vote with the rest of the councillors for the project to go ahead.
Several of my ‘concerns’ were addressed and one major one did not come about, that being a ‘proper and safe’ pedestrian crossing…which the rest of the councillors supported.
However there was not sufficient funding to do this – which I still argue, that ‘peoples’ safety should be paramount.
More on this subject to follow……

Although I sent my apologies for my none attendance at Wednesdays – Whittlesey Town Council meeting, my ears and eyes have informed me of the details….. (Not those as reported in the Cambs Times©) I am in receipt of the letter sent by Sainsburys to Whittlesey Town Councillors.
I am again asking like many other Councillors a ‘real’ commitment from Sainsburys as to a definitive date that they plan to build.
Whilst I am fully aware, that Full planning permission needs to come about by FDC and then the logistical exercise of tendering etc are just a few of many further ‘delays’.
My concerns again – after ‘Most’ Councillors have gone the extra mile to support all of the projects –
Bruce Smith of Whitacre told the council he was “confident that Sainsbury’s will build a new store in Whittlesey; the support from Whittlesey has not gone unnoticed by them”.

Sainsburys ‘Masters/Major’ Shareholders are wealth funds from outside of the UK who are looking for ‘profits’ and will lean heavily on the UK Directors to deliver.
I sincerely hope like everyone else that the whole project/country park/business park does actually come to fruition sooner rather than later.

Sainsburys – like Tesco are going through a very rough period and whether – they can ever make up lost ground remains to be seen. With Aldi and Lidl on big expansions all we can now do is – Hope.

Disclaimer – I have been a small direct shareholder in Sainsburys since 1994 and they are less todays than when they were bought!

Just to make sure no one misinterprets any previous postings.

Today after weeks of ‘thinking’ – and remember too much ‘thinking’ can be bad for you.
I have made the decision to remain totally Independent
My commitment remains not to be biased by political interference, influence, or by a party whip.
My determination also remains to work for, with and by the residents/electors of our Town and Villages. I believe I have worked with the majority of Whittlesey Councillors in the past 4 years to bring about some good decisions and projects.
I am a big advocate of transparency (something a few of our Councillors have yet to understand).
I have always stood by what I say, and believe in total accountability.

It is my intention to stand again at this Mays local elections as Independent
whether the electorate go with me is like any other candidate – who knows?
I will in due course gather my loyal supporters to help in my campaign.
It remains to thank my friends as always in my quest to do our utmost for our Town and its Villages.

I am somewhat ‘confused’ (again) having read the article in the Cambs Times © this week with reference to Refuge collections and Street Scene. I have written many times about this department, mainly more negative than positive.

The Good.
1/ Lets be fair, at present (although no fan of fortnightly collections) our refuge service is very good – I have not heard through our Town council off any complaints.
2/ In general our street cleaning is fairly good – having said – it depends on which street cleaner we get.
3/ Street Scene, again it rather depends who we get?

The Bad.
1/ Why is it then that if FDC has paid out what is reported a ‘considerable’ (£29,000) amount of Rate payers money on a consultancy, with again (As I have not seen the report) – ‘That it would not be financially feasible at this time to tender out these services’.
2/ As above (The Good) it rather depends on who and when we get our streets serviced.
There is a lot of ‘spin’ and confusion about if and when the mechanical sweeper ever sees a great amount of daylight (that’s of course if it is working and where-ever it maybe parked).
3/ Street Scene, again as (The Good) one or two Street Scene Officers are very good and engaging with the public, community groups and councillors – there are a few who do not meet this important criteria.

The Ugly.
1/ In order to save money first we have to spend money! (The moving of council offices come to mind first and recently). I can envisage the ‘Peterborough Effect’ which if mentioning anything about the city – Whittlesey councillors get Very uptight.
We may well end up with more ‘Taxes’ for Brown Bin waste.
We could end up with a 3 weekly cycle of Bin collections.
Although not directly FDC’s remit it looks very likely our recycling centre will close.
2/ It is not too long ago – a no longer employed Whittlesey Street Cleaner had over 100 negative/disciplinary offences against him – he remained. One such alleged incident was when he took ‘The Purple Wagon’ – FDC’s truck with his Jet Ski in tow to Hunstanton for the afternoon and was spotted by a council official. His answer at the time was – Well no one told me as couldn’t !.
3/ I have on a number of occasions questioned the financial and effective ‘Worth’ of the Street Scene department, on paper it looks great in practice – well?
Whilst I somewhat question – Why so much of the above resources goes to Wisbech – We are always ‘lectured’ by officials that ‘We’ in Whittlesey get our fair share.

I hope FDC/Whittlesey District Councillors make a fair and well balanced decision when this item appears on their agenda.
I/we await with high hopes !!!