Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

It has been known for some time that ‘some’ councillors have been campaigning for the Bus Stop on the Market Square to be moved. There is nothing new in this – various campaigns have been going on for decades!.
There has been ‘some’ public consultation – there has been an article in ‘Discoverying Whittlesea’ – but it appears not a lot of public feedback – until now?
When this was presented at our last WTC (Whittlesey Town Council’) meeting with drawings of what the proposals would look like, I did ask that there should be ‘more’ time given to advise the General Electorate/Public…. one or two others agreed – however it was decided as there has been some consultations and with time restrictions as to a decision, to go ahead with the plan – with a couple of important amendments.
(1) The Buses are planned to move from the Market Square to Grosvenor Road (Opposite the Town Council Offices)
(2) The loss of parking will be made up by taking down the ‘old’ toilet block
(3) I have asked that a ‘Pedestrian Type’ crossing be put in place
(4) The proposed stop parallel to the Buttercross on Market Street and the other stop in the parking area adjacent to the Independent Chemist be removed on safety grounds.
Only (2) letters were received rejecting the proposed move.
However talking with many people over the past 4 weeks, I have not found one person in favour of the move – most asking for the ‘reasons’ for it to be moved.
I quoted the few councillors who had campaigned for the Bus Stop to be moved.
The money to carry out the move is in place from Cambs County Council – and can not be used for any other purpose…. so either use it or loose it….
I am waiting for a member of the public to tell me they are in favour of moving the Bus Stop/Station…..

I was aware some time ago of the FDC Street Scene giving the Overview and Security committee a report on their ‘achievements’ – then the press picked it up….
I have received a large number of comments….about the bias of the press report – I was not at the meeting so therefor did not hear the report.
One Littering Ticket given -= Whittlesey suffers no littering or fly-tipping?
I will hold back somewhat – but if FDC are looking to save money – I suggest they look at parts of the council that are not fit for purpose? (I have not mentioned what department(s).
The Whittlesey Street Priders have removed over 36,000 Kgs (That’s 36 Tons) of Litter and Rubbish in the 10 years they have been going, ‘Maybe someone’ should ‘educate’ FDC’ that this Littering does not arrive by itself.

20+ years ago I highlighted in the Peterborough ET the ‘Road’ issues along Church Street and Ramsey Road. 10+ years ago I highlighted this to Cllr Steve Garratt – who quoted me – there are no issues or problems with the Traffic/Parking on Ramsey Road?
Cambs Highways tried to highlight one issue on the corner of St Andrews Church/Letter B – but allas this did not work well. I am very pleased the both Cllrs Swan and Butcher have taken this issue on board. There are now plans to place a traffic calming system on this corner and to ‘Yellow Line’ more in/around this plan.
Just 20+ years a bit late –

Some 3+ years ago, when FDC instigated the Street Scene Officers within the Market Towns, they were supplied with an expensive ‘Electric Bicycle – this was to ‘promote’ some ‘Greenish’ credentials – be seen to be out and about and maybe! get some assisted exercise.
Alas I can report the said ‘Bike’ has very few miles on the clock and is stored away gathering dust?

I have been asked and have no problem in ‘correcting’ any inaccuracy regarding meetings held by ‘some’ Whittlesey councillors, it would appear that councillor Ken Mayor was thought to have been the un-named councillor in my article…..well it wasn’t councillor Ken Mayor…..my sources sometimes ‘talk’ to myself and others – there is nothing wrong in that.

The annual assembly of WTC took place last night…. it was extremely lengthy. However the highlights were the very good causes that David Masons ‘Mayors’ charity achieved – given mainly to those based in and around our town – some worthy groups…..
It is only fare that ALL councillors irrespective of their political standing should support our own Groups within Whittlesey….some of cause do more or less than others!

Our thanks to Tracy, John and Rachael (Rowell) who again this year organised a ‘Clean-up’ event in the river by Fields End Bridge/Kings Delph.  About 40 members turned up with various small inflatables and collected around 15 bags of litter and rubbish from the banks along the river. They found a ‘pram’ and a full set of ‘crockery’. Another good event.

The allotments are very special to the people of Whittlesey…..we have had allotments in our Town and Villages for as long as I can remember. The land in the past has been sold for what is now ‘housing’. This latest debacle about if/ever the present site is ‘sold’ by Fenland District Council is another  ‘travesty’ in the making.
We have Town councillors who are also District and County councillors who either are not listening or are as usual being out-gunned and steam rolled by councillors from March and Wisbech …. sometimes there is a ‘bit’ of noise’ made about an issue….and then quietly disappears from the agenda?

Todays controversial news about the Whittlesey allotments….If sold then Whittlesey Town Council would receive £100,000 – well all I can say on this one it was my understanding that this so called agreement was made between Whittlesey Town councillors and ‘Leader/Ex Leader’ Melton !!!! need we say more…..
Other than a bit rich of councillor ‘Pop Jolley’ who has ‘wasted’ thousands of £££ rebranding the Fenland leisure centres.
I doubt very much if Whittlesey Town Council/we residents will see anything should this land ever be ‘sold’….remember we residents/Whittlesey Town Council have ploughed a vast amount of rate payers money into upgrading/modernising the allotments.

Wednesday evening saw some 200+ people attend the update on the ‘Showfields Planning Protest Group’ meeting. Although the meeting was ‘slightly’ informative. I feel more information and direction could have been achieved.
It did have a ‘Fund raising’ element to it….(I have made 2 donations) but I felt that the ‘momentum’ was a little less that the previous meeting..   (Also from feedback I have received.)
This is not to say that the Group will not succeed in their endeavours to put together a very robust case to reject/refuse the appeal whenever that happens….
I will continue my support and offer whatever help I can….
Pick up the momentum?

I am sorry to inform who may ever read my small mutterings….but the ‘promised’ enhancements to Whittlesey Market Place – looks ‘doomed’.
It was at least (2) councillors who ‘promised’ local businesses that the ‘project’ would ‘definitely/ ‘certainly’ go ahead and be completed by 2014?
Now we hear that very repeated phrase – No Money….what a pity.

Having the ‘guts’ at least to stand up to ‘his’ views and principles….having heard the news and reading his web-blog – but could there have been another motive?
Martin is a very experienced Town, District and County councillor, he has had a vast amount of training and on occasions says it as it is?
I would have thought that Martin had a ‘good’ idea of what he was letting himself into when he offered himself to be ‘elected’ as the Conservative Group leader of CCC and onto leader of Cambs County Council.
I am not here to criticise either his decisions or views he made on his web-blog in fact I sympathise to some extent his views on the elected UKIP councillors on CCC….
But he is tarring everyone with the same brush….What perhaps Martin and the majority of the Conservative group can not get to grips with is the ‘fact’ that ‘most’ UKIP’ sympathy comes from very disillusioned Conservatives?
I agree whole-heartedly in the respected I think it is wrong for someone to stand on a ‘political platform’ then for whatever reason decide be become ‘Independent’
I stood as an Independent, proud to have been elected as an Independent and will remain so until the next election.
I have been approached on a number of occasions by other political groups seeking my ‘friendship’ I am very humbled by these approaches…but my Independence is very important to me, as is other councillors who decided to stand on a political party platform – That is democracy.