The Showfields Planning Application is being heard at Fenland Hall tomorrow 22nd July
More news when known…
Had to pay my respects to a couple of long standing seafarers who have gone to the ‘Davy Jones Locker!. So on returning, some good things been happening and some not so good.
(Click on pictures to enlarge)
Lets start with the good things, last week saw the judging of ‘In Bloom’ and our Whittlesey Group have worked so very hard on their projects. Our own Street Pride Group, also gave it a little more than average attention to the areas the judges were passing. There have been many people involved in really tidying up areas in and around our town and they deserve a big thank you for ALL the work they have done. Lets hope that Whittlesey-In-Bloom get a good result.
Now the not so good news…. It’s a good job that the In Bloom Judges didn’t go on the Tow-Path side of the Bower, which is becoming quite a mess and in places now difficult to pass because of overgrowth.
I saw 2 men (Resting -horizontal) in their Mid-Level boats (It was lunchtime) dredging the weeds from the river.
I went back today and really couldn’t tell the difference.
The path used to be fairly regularly maintained by the ‘Community Payback Team’ who I always give great credit too. However since one of the ‘miscreants’ was bitten by a ‘lesser spotted something or another’ they not longer take this area on – what a pity.
It has now been brought to your Town Council attention at the last meeting (08th July) and they are looking at a ‘tender’ to do the job, I’ve heard no more.
A little more of the Cycle Route….
Triangular signs are ‘Warning Signs’ – The gate has a chain around it but there is no lock.
My correspondent has shown me all documentation.
The ‘illegal’ marina on the Nene besides the Millennium Bridge is causing serious concerns.
There are now 9+ ‘boats’ moored at this site.
The owner of the Land/Site is a Mr Stephen Foreman of Whittlesey, he purchased the land in 2004 . He is running a commercial operation.
Enquiries to FDC Planning states the following:
‘I can confirm that there is no planning history for the site, however looking at aerial photos in 1997 there are signs of moorings taking place at the location and also in 2003, 2007 and 2011. In planning enforcement there are time restrictions 10 and 4 year rule. For a change of use 10 years rule applies and development the 4 year rule applies.
I am of the opinion that there has been a continuous use of mooring at the site for over 10 years and the development eg platforms is also over the 4 year ruling and therefore we are time barred to take any formal enforcement action in order to regularise the change in use and development.’
(Q) Why wasn’t the Councillors in 2003, 2004 and 2011 on the case – they ‘Must’ have known about the ‘development’.
The ‘Police’, FDC, at least one Whittlesey/FDC Councillor, Cambs CC and various others are now ‘involved’ – my correspondent is getting no-where…..Political correctness again maybe.
The vehicles driving vehicles along the Green Wheel Cycle route to gain access to their moorings are doing so ‘illegally’ this is an offical Cycle Route – and other than for access to emergency services, it should not be used by any other motorised vehicles.
(Q) The Police are the authority that should be doing more, I understand that our PSCO’s have been, monitoring and had words of so-called ‘advise’. (A PCSO in Cambridgeshire can not ticket a moving vehicle) – It is my understanding that these vehicles, should not be on the cycle route and that complaints they are travelling at speed.
On more than one occasion when my correspondent(s) have been on the cycle route they have been aggressively accosted by the vehicles and owners.
They claim they have ‘permission from the land-owner Mr Foreman. No record from Hanson (The adjacent land-owner) or any official body has given for the said permission.
There are serious conflicts of interest – namely the Cyclists, Walkers, and the Boat owners at the somewhat ‘marina’.
The last I hear is ‘someone’ is ‘trying’ to arrange a meeting….
(Q) With whom and why……If it is ‘Illegal’ to drive on the cycleway/route – end of meeting.
(Q) Are we/the cyclists waiting for someone to be seriously injured or worse! – and I would ‘think’ ones ‘insurance is null and void if you vehicle is in contravention of the road traffic act…..
(Q) The ‘other’ access is via ‘Funthams Lane’ – this is a Bridleway – again vehicles should not be using it….further issues….
The case just gets worse and worse and it ‘appears’ – No-one is prepared to take action.
Whilst this inaction is going on I understand – the cycleway surface is being damaged due to these vehicles using it.
There maybe more to come – my correspondent has been in contact with MP Steve Barclay and if he receives no action will instigate Mr Barclays support and advice.
Now if Mr Foreman has a different version – I am more than prepared to publish his side, providing the documentation is shown to me.
(Click on pictures to enlarge)
Not sure – but apologies in any case maybe someone! doesn’t like this website for what-ever reason, anyway we are back now…
The millennium cycle route has major ‘issues’ Full story coming tomorrow Saturday.
A chance meeting with Colin Gale today (Friday) as we departed from The George…Colin informs me – he and the Labour Group are going ‘All out’ in the impending by-election.
They like the conservative group will pull in as many troops as possible.
Labour is NOT seeking my or my friends support – we remain Independent of such hanky panky. Looks like ‘if/probably’ Martin Curtis is re-selected – maybe will have to work on their ‘core’ voters to persuade them that Martin C is a really serious candidate!
So attending the Whittlesey Town Council meeting last Wednesday, saw a ‘few’ more public attend…myself and surprisingly including Martin Curtis …however council meetings are becoming like ‘Just a minute’ a popular radio programme, can someone talk for a minute without repetition, hesitation or deviation’ – for sometime the past and now present chairman should keep to the agenda, the meeting would take a lot less time.
At most meetings one or more councillors leave the meeting before its conclusion.
Tonights very well advertised meeting at Scaldgate, was very poorly attended…..NO Parents and NO Youths….In all 10 people came along to exchange idea’s on how the future of Youth Services/Club could be promoted within our town.
Councillors Butcher, Windle and Dorling attended, Paul Cornell (Rotary Club) Rob Windle, Liz from KidsZone, myself and 3 representatives from Cambs/FDC also there, making a total of 10, of which only 3 of use were members of the public – Not a Good turn out at all. It looks very likely that unless there is a bit more enthusiasm from Parents and Public in general, that we shall not as Town be able to support a fully functional Youth Club again.
Another issue is always to due to ‘funding’ or lack off…..Cllr Julie Windle has agreed to put another article in Discovering Whittlesea – to keep the ‘door’ open as such, we will wait and see if there is any response.
(Missing from photo Robert Windle who had to leave for other business, myself who took the photo)
Of course one of the biggest ‘gaffs’ in the General Election was Paddy Ashdown promising to eat his hat if the one prediction of the Lib Dems being all but finished in the pre-election polls ….I didn’t see him eat his hat….
Now it is very well known I do not make promises…unlike most politicians (I am not a politician)…however perhaps the brave Colin Gale and the labour supporters behind him, calling for the bi-election (well publicised story re Martin Curtis).
In the May election Martin Curtis collected 718 votes (The most of all the candidates standing), Colin Gale got a very respectable 357 votes (He was 52 short of the 3rd placed conservative winner). So unless there is a massif swing (or anti-Curtis swing) Colin and his supporters have a lot of work and ground to make up.
Colin did no leaflet drop in the May election, instead placed a large advert in the Cambs Times©.
If no other candidates come forward and it is a straight 2 horse race – well who knows what may happen – we all wait and wait.
So, according to the Cambs Times© Mr Kent of Teal Road, has written a letter to FDC along with the required numbers to call for an election (again) for the Bassenhally Whittlesey Town Council seat, now vacant.
So be it then, I hope that Mr Kent (maybe himself) or another ‘serious’ candidate will put themselves forward. As I have stated – it is costing us (The Whittlesey ratepayer) to fund this election. Just because Martin Curtis has made a ‘mistake’, it will take and I mean a ‘serious’ and committed candidate to take on M. Curtis.
In By-elections, in this case the conservative group will pull out all stops to get their candidate elected (re-elected), as would any other party.
They can put a lot of ‘people’ and resources into the campaign, to help the candidate, they know where the core voter is.
That said, like all politicians, we can all be beaten, and at some stage the all mighty M. Curtis may one day find this out himself, however I would be very surprised if this happens, firstly of course Martin has to be re-selected by his own conservative group.
The election ‘if’ contested is due 20th August….never a dull moment!
Being a big promoter of democracy, am still wondering why ask for another election to be held…..Cambs Times© breaks a story about my views on the reasoning/argument about who/why Martin Curtis was disqualified.
I don’t particularly like rumours, but there is a real smelly going about that Martin has been ‘stitched up’ – really by whom!!! can I have 3 guesses !!!
In the article Martin makes excuses, maybe if he turned up more regularly for council meetings he would be more aware of what is going on, rather than rely on media social networking. He has been a councillor for long enough to have known the rules – don’t blame others ….. (The stitch up theory may well come to light).
So we have been told that 10 ‘people’ have registered for an election to be held – so we now have to go through the due democratic process to see all is fair and square.
Just because 10 have asked for an election, does not actually mean there will be an election.
How – well potential candidates will need to put their papers in….Asked David Chapman(Lib Dem) this evening whether he is standing! – Not decided as yet – lets see who else there maybe.
Martin Curtis has to go through a selection process (again) in, order to stand – are there any other dynamic conservatives who would put up against the mighty M. Curtis – another wait and see…..
Watch this space….
I had a good article in this months Discovering Whittlesea….Our extremely Good Neighbourhood Group is doing well, and ‘occasionally’ we get a new member, we now welcome Marie Flatt from the Snoots Road area and Steve Swan from Hemmerley Drive.
As always we have a very small but dedicated group of people ‘willing’ do ‘their’ bit for the community – without the ‘whinge and moan’ we are constantly hearing elsewhere.
My thanks to ALL the group for their continuing support to our committee and their community.
