Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Avid ‘Blogger’, former high flyer and ex leader of the Conservatives @ Cambs County Council is first to submit his manifesto for becoming the next PCC (Police & Crime Commissioner) – Standing as now the UKIP candidate.
Mr Clarke makes a hell of a lot of promises should he become elected.
He has been a big critic of the present PCC – Conservative Sir Graham Bright.
Maybe the electorate and the conservatives should remember ALL the promises he made when he was the leader for a shortish time at Cambs CC.
Nick blamed his demise on living too far away from his electorate. He then joined UKIP.
I stand on an Independent view as always, and I dislike the fact that the PCC’s job started and carried on as a ‘Political platform’ this position should not be a political position and I believe the electorate all over the country agreed – that’s why there was only about a 20% turnout at the poles, disillusioned – fed up with party politics, can’t be bothered….
We wait to who the rest choose as their candidates.
Yes I have been asked be several people if I would stand – ha – I know my place I’m not in that league and in any case would I waste £5,000 of my own money knowing I am on a looser…I don’t think so – thanks for the offer.
This is a very serious and important position and should be treated as such.
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk (Photo and read more)

Last week after some deliberation, I decided to resign my position as Vice Chairman of Whittlesea Street Pride. I was until recently the Chairman for 6 years.
My reasons are many, I just feel uncomfortable with how the new management committee works.
Don’t miss-quote me, I think many of the committee have and will do a very good job. This is a personal decision.
My ability in time management was also becoming very challenging as I am involved in many other organisations/voluntary groups and Street Pride was becoming far too onerous.
I believe I have left a ‘fantastic’ legacy in terms of Financial stability and Public Relations.
Sometimes when someone has been ‘in charge’ for a long time – it is ‘time’ for a change.
I remain a ‘mortal litter picker’ and naturally wish the group every continuing success.

        
Fred Mills Chair          Rob Kent Treasurer     Peter Davies Secretary
        
David Palmer                Bernard Gray-Esson  Alan Hobbs                  Margaret Palmer
All Management Committee Members of Whittlesea Street Pride

Sad news to hear the passing away of Steve Parker. Well known local business man, involved in many of our local groups. Condolences to Jenny. RIP

Here we go again – The rumour mill – Marian D plus others hiding behind pseudonyms.
heard today about the proposed closure of our Police Station. Surely to close this would be criminal. … I wonder whose bright idea this was!
Next of course comes the next very mis-informed and lets have a go at ALL councillors whilst we’re at it.
I Roy Gerstner have attended 100’s of meeting with the Police/Police Authority/Crime Commissioners Office over the past 10 years.
The ‘FACT’ is that ALL assets are always under review. Cambs Police Commissioner has massive savings to be made (As all other authorities). This has come from Central Government, who have always blamed the previous Government for the financial legacy.
Like with the General election and local elections – we have all had a vote, the ‘peoples’ democracy took its course.
Only this week I was at a meeting in Hinchingbrooke Police HQ, and I asked some senior members of the issues of ‘closures’ – I was given exactly the same answers – All assets are under constant review.

One day – when – sooner or later ours and many other local Police Stations will close.
My picture of the official opening is of poor quality.

‘Mid-Anglia Police Authority’
The building was opened on 3rd October 1968 by
Alderman T.W. Anthony J.P.
Chairman of the County Council

As an ‘original member of the NQS Patients Participation Group (PPG) we have supported the surgery on Flu Clinic days, this Saturday being the 1st of two (Next Saturday the next Clinic) The Ladies had a fantastic Cake stand which raises money for a project for the benefit of all patients – they sold out very quickly.
I promoted the electronic registration of patients – You can register, and be able to book/or cancel appointments, get repeat prescriptions and a host of other information.
The PPG has regular meetings and these can be viewed either online or on the information board near the ‘Booking In Office).

There has been a meeting held at WTC Offices of parties concerned including the owner of the ‘Marina’ by the ‘Whistling Bridge’, apparently there is to be ‘monitoring of the issue and another meeting to be arranged. In the meantime there are still vehicles using The Cycle Route to gain access to their boats, when they should be using the ‘Funthams Lane’ entrance. We wait and see – again.

Quite naturally it is in Bruces interest to keep the Sainsburys Supermarket highlighted, he quotes:
“Whittlesey supported Sainsburys   –   Sainsburys must now support Whittlesey”

e-mail received from the Friends of the Country Park secretary, urging (we) members to contact chris.templeman@sainsburys.co.uk
‘We would like to ensure that Sainsburys are aware that the community are still keen for this project to go ahead, and want to give a show of force to ensure that this stays on their agenda.
If you would like a copy of the pro-forma letter which has been produced or you would like to join or support the ‘Friends of the country park’ contact:

Julie Shortland   @  friendsofwhittleseycountrypark@yahoo.co.uk

Another 3 hour session.
Apologies from Cllrs Garratt, Mason, Bristow, Whitwell – Cllr Curtis arrived at 20:40

A very good presentation by Jonathan Digby – Principal SHS Community College, updating the 4 of us (Public) and Councillors on the achievements of the College.
He advised there is plenty of capacity at present for the new homes being built.
Funding is always a challenge.

I did a talk on Neighbourhood Watch – asking for support from Councillors to promote this Group, last year in Cambridgeshire there was 60,000 (That’s correct) reported crimes.
I ask anyone interested, to contact me, join us, help us keep ourselves and our neighbours informed and safe.

It is NOT time consuming and involves very little work.

The one controversial item was the change of Standing orders at the Council.
The major proposal being the creation of a ‘Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council’
This will change the role of the Mayor to just a ceremonial role.
I and others believe that this makes a Town/Parish Council much more ‘Political’ – which is already in place, irrespective of whatever political group may be in control, in the case of Whittlesey  – 14 Conservative Councillors, which the public decided they wanted in the May elections.
One disturbing point being Cllr Martin Curtis arrived at the meeting at about 20:40, just (just) as the vote to for the above was taking place, he voted with 5 others to approve the resolution, having NOT heard the debate….which makes me again ‘Think’ this has been well thrashed out at some previous venue/meeting prior to this Council meeting.
The vote went 6 for and 3 against with 1 abstention.
Of course news on the ‘wire’ is the M Curtis maybe considering running for the PCC’s job next year (Police & Crime Commissioner).
Other items: Kings Dyke ‘Bridge’ ongoing – Cambs CC are placing a planning application for the project in the near future – possible decision Jan/Feb 2016?
Showfields: The Council ratified for £500:00 + VAT to be spent  on Mr Martin Edwards to obtain an initial opinion on whether a Judicial Revue would succeed on the Showfields site. The next stage if the Council decide to go ahead would cost the Council £2,500 + VAT.
There were several other items, which if and when WTC eventually get a website up and running everyone will be able to see the information.

Good to see Eamonn Dorling producing a ‘News-letter’ for his Delph Ward.
Normally (other than myself Ex councillor- running an active website/blog).
Councillors tend only communicate to the masses near election time.
Considering we have 14 Town Councillors No one running website, Martin Curtis last update was 3rd September 2104 – over a year ago….
So we have ‘StreetLife’© where a number is ‘trolls’ operate along with much rumour and guesswork. A Councillor decides to answer a question, can in many cases expect to get ‘roasted’ for his/her efforts. That’s a fact of life these days for elected representatives.
I hope Eamonn continues his Ward contact.

Did I pick up today that Whittlesey Town Council are getting near the BIG Launch of the long awaited Website….I can’t wait!

Here are the Town Councillors attendances at ‘Full Council’ from May 2014 to April 2015
(Elections in May) (No meeting in August) (Max attendance = 11)
In alphabetical order.

Alan Bristow           10
Ralph Butcher         8
Martin Curtis           5
Pauline Edge           10
Steve Garratt            4
Roy Gerstner            9
Rita Jolley                 8
Dee Laws                   9
David Mason           11
Alex Miscandlon     11
Kay Mayor                11
Ken Mayor                10
Derek Stebbing         7
Gary Swan                 9

Notes: Whittlesey Town Councillors are NOT Paid, They received NO Allowances, only the Mayor receives allowances.

Please, inform your neighbours, there are ‘Low life’ out there, wandering around in the early hours of the morning….Looking for easy targets. It is surprising the amount of people who do not lock things up, Garage, Shed, Bicycles…. If it is not locked and you get done over…your insurance may not pay up

On a slightly lighter note… Maybe FDC should re-label their toilets to be a bit more diversified and cater for ‘Daleks’ as well!

(As always click on picture to enlarge)