Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

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.

So at long long last ‘they’ the FDC contractors have ‘started’ along Eastrea Road towards Whittlesey – It is well over 3 weeks since we last saw them on my estate. I have had 3 councillors on the case a ‘promise’ that ‘someone’ would come and look at the situation…whether they did I don’t know – but Nothing came of it and we are still left looking like Bosnia/Beirut on a bad day – and I apologise to those who live there for making a comparison. The only thing missing is ‘burnt out vehicles’
At least someone at Fenland has a bit of common sense – one of our excellent Street Cleaners was clearing up the left over rubbish after the grass cutters had done their bit
along Eastrea Road that is good working…well done ‘Sam’….

This morning I had a meeting with Inspector Hills and then a one and a half hour meeting with Inspector Will Davies – the sector Inspector for Fenland/Whittlesey.

I will give a full report to the Neighbourhood Watch AGM on Tuesday 28th June at 7:00
at WTC Offices on Grosvenor Road – Side door up the stairs.

This is NHW meeting but members of the public can attend if they so wish.

If you would like to attend as a member of the public, please e-mail me in order that I know how many people are attending as the venue has limited capacity – details on Contacts Bar…

Someone asking the whereabouts of Nancy she can be contacted 01733 351326

For the ‘Street Lifers’ – Nancy is of Malaysian origin.
Malaysia is an independent commonwealth country, gaining independence in 1957.

Nancy came to the UK/Whittlesey over 60 years ago and was married to Reg for 60 years.
Reg passed away June last year.

Nancy will still do work from her home – the number is at the top

Nancy is a good friend of ours and was with us for Sunday Dinner this week.

The weather being British/English or European depending how you will be voting this Thursday….It has been a couple of days since I was out and about on my Litter Picking campaign….I have a usual route and behold – – I always do the Bower Tow Path, some low life (again) overdosed on ‘Coke’ – I mean Coca Cola…as photo shows, pleased to say no alcohol picked up today.
After a quick ‘libation’ at the Manor Bowls I continued down Station Road – to find Fenlands ‘Purple Wagon’  a ‘Fairly New’ Truck/Van for our excellent Street Cleaners.
Maybe FDC are looking at £40 a year Brown Bin ‘Tax’ to fund their ‘New’ Purple Trucks!
Low and behold – ‘Lilly’ the Street Operative is cleaning like crazy at the Skate Park – which those who use it had left in its usual state….I collect rubbish for a hobby and like to see Whittlesey/Villages clean and tidy (The best we can do) – I would find it depressing to have to go to the Manor Field day on day to find the same amount of rubbish….maybe the experiment done by other councils – leave it for a couple of weeks and let the public see how much is really left in an area.

More on the Brown Bin ‘Tax’  tomorrow….

Firstly – Thank You – on Friday this web/blog received 1,414 ‘hits’, over the last few weeks, on several occasions, the ‘hit counter’ has exceeded 1,000 in a 24 hour period – I am very humbled that the site is slightly popular.
Nice to have (2) Monthly magazines delivered to our door – but the ‘News’ is somewhat ‘old’ by the time most people receive them.

I see on our ‘other’ popular websites/social media – some people are wanting a change in Council/Councillors!!!! -Hello – Wakey Wakey – Whittlesey/Fenland has ‘just’ had an election in May 2015 – there is NOT another planned election for another 3 years….Will any of the Social Media crowd be standing then – I would hope so, I could do with some help, more than one Whittlesey Ward was uncontested in the last elections – meaning the candidate who stood – was automatically elected – is that good democracy NO – and NO it is not the fault of the candidate – but that of the electorate for allowing this to happen.
Failed/Lost as I may have done I respect the voice of the electorate – and at least where I stood the electorate had a choice.

Secondly – This week is National Neighbourhood Watch Week – where the National Association will be promoting NHW.
Here in Whittlesey we have a small but robust group (Being a better Neighbour)
The group reformed around 6/7 years ago and I have been Chairman for 5 years.

It costs – nothing
Time – Very Little
Meetings – 4 times a year – attend or not – not mandatory
Get News – Crime and News Updates from Fenland/Cambs Police.
How to register –  2 minutes go to Ourwatch UK
Own Website with ALL the latest information Whittlesey NHW Website

Next meeting will be held on Tuesday 28th June at 7:00pm (AGM)
Venue Whittlesey Town Council Offices – Grosvenor Road
(Towards the Co-Op)
Side entrance up the stairs. (There is a Stair Lift)

NHW Week Link