Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

I have been asked by a correspondent on ‘Councillors attendance’ at Whittlesey Town Council’ I have requested this information and due to the Town Clerk being unwell at present, there is a delay. Hope she recovers soon and I will update.
FDC publish their attendances and expenses in the public domain.
Maybe – just Maybe the WTC website we were promised a long while ago would have provided this information….another waiting game…..

Naturally I ‘watch’ StreetLife’® like many others. The latest ‘Brutal bout’ between ‘Willy L’ and Martin Curtis, shows the level that can be reached on this website. I am not favouring one or another, but I score on this occasion Willy L 1 : 0 Martin Curtis.
Martin being Martin, has taken the ‘hook’ – lock, stock and smoking barrel.
Like any ‘good’ politician he has ‘tried’ to make an open debate about a subject, only to be vilified for ‘his’ arguments – that I am afraid this is the risk of trying to convince the ‘public’ that ‘he’ knows best.

My congratulations to Willy L who on this occasion ‘appears’ to come out best.
Of course Willy L is a ‘previous’ Councillor – before my time, maybe we need a cv of Mr Willy L, to remind us who and when he stood as a ‘peoples champion’? I am waiting!
Photo’s © StreetLife.

I am very pleased to see that 3,000+ hits to this ‘website’ whilst we’ve been away.
Our ‘epic’ tour of the Outer Hebrides, was not without some excitement. My 2nd visit to the Stornoway Hospital is becoming the norm. Hopefully all is well now.

One of my favourite films ‘Whisky Galore’ – filmed on the island of Bara, I went looking but could not find any of the remnants of the famous incident –

Go to Fenland District Council website: http://www.fenland.gov.uk/
Go to Planning & Building
Go to Planning at the top
Go to view planning application details and documents
Type in F/YR15/0657/F

I was lead to believe that ‘they’ Sainsbury’s were only asking to change the hours that ‘they’ can deliver from the store, however they have asked for 3 conditions to be altered.
They state in their covering letter, following receipt of the decision notice, it has become apparent that a number of the conditions are overly onerous and will not allow Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd to operate from the store successfully.
Another condition they are asking to amend is that which states the Country Park must have various infra-structure in place before the ‘Store’ as allowed to trade. Sainsbury’s again are looking at changing this condition.

The date to submit any comment has now expired, FDC states the Target Determination Date is Thursday 29th Oct 2015
Within the application was 5 letters from members of the public, supporting the application, 1 letter of objection.
There is an in depth ‘Noise Report’ carried out by consultants on behalf of Sainsbury’s to substantiate their argument for +24 hour deliveries.
I have read and do understand the results.

There was ‘no’ letter from the ‘Whittlesey councillor’ re previous posts submitted.

Whittlesey-In-Bloom volunteers, which Street Pride supports, have done well again this year, results today – Whittlesey received ‘Silver Guilt’
The cemetery received ‘Silver Guilt’
The Garden of rest received ‘Silver Guilt’

From FOWL ….Please note the times the mobile library will be in the Market Square during the time The Community Hub will be closed for essential building works.

Mondays 5th,  12th,  19th  October     10:00 – 16:00

Fridays    9th,  16th,  23rd  October     10:00 – 16:00

Fenland District Council Services will be available from the Manor Leisure Centre in Station Road during normal Community Hub opening hours.

Time for another break….I am mostly contactable – anyone with ‘news’ can send me an e-mail…..see contact details page.
Returning to the Outer Hebrides… last visit 2011 – put in hospital – Gall Stones….painful

So…as the deadline for the ‘options’ to purchase the land for the ‘future’ Sainsburys supermarket… running out Mid-October ! – today, rival Morrisons announce the closure’ of 11 supermarkets around the country. None in our area, but the odds now of Sainsburys ‘actually’ building becomes a bit ‘more’ less…. The ‘New/revised’ planning application is/was not on FDC’s planning agenda for September….?

Today in March, I attended the first of several consultation meetings in regards to NHS – Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services, which at some time will impact on us all.
I wrote about this on the 01st Sept.
Presentation by Mr Kyle Cliff a Director of the CCG (Cambs Commissioning Group) explained to the 8  people attending (Only myself from Whittlesey) in simple terms the reasoning for the change.
Basically, transport within Cambs is provided at present by many different companies, under the ‘New’ regime everything will come under One provider, with One point of contact and One phone number.
Director Kyle Cliff explaining the process and took many questions from myself (14 in total).
He answered very well, although a number of questions could not be answered because the ‘New’ contract is not yet in place.
Our area spend £16 million a year of Non- Emergency Patients Transport, and I dare say that ‘they’ the CCG by having one provider will ultimately save money?
At the end I asked ‘why’ Whittlesey was not included in the consultation process….
The answer was – Previous consultations proved non very popular, the last one only 4 people attended (I being 1)….However there is some good news…. The CCG has been approached by the New Queen Street Surgery PPG (Cllr Kay Mayor), and they hope to bring this meeting to Whittlesey sometime in October…When I know the date/time, I will publish….

The CCG responsible for the provision of healthcare has a total budget of nearly £1 Billion per annum.

A very good turn out for NHW Group, 17 of us at Grosvenor House (Thanks to Whittlesey Town Council) We covered a number of updates, most importantly the report Sector Inspector Will Davies gave to WTC last week (See previous post).
We also welcomed our latest potential new member Sue Taylor from Eastrea, where we have NO NHW presence ..
Our many thanks to Richard Hunt from Benn Security who gave a short talk on Home security and some of the major issues with doors, locks, and alarms….

Richard kindly donated a ‘Key Safe Box’ all members attending put their names into the ‘hat’ – the winner being Ken Creed….

(l) Ken Creed (r) Richard Hunt

I am pleased to report that our Group, have NO Major issues to take to our Police or Fenlands Street Scene….
Although we live in a relatively low crime area  – We are NOT Crime free – Lock it or Loose it…..

As an original member of the ‘Friends of Whittlesey Library’ I still remain very committed to supporting the group.
Just a reminder that the library will be undergoing repairs to the roof at the beginning of
October, the date of the AGM will now be on Tuesday 29th September at 7pm

Some way to go, but on Saturday 21st November 2015 11:00 – 15:00 Peterborough City Hospital will be celebrating its five year anniversary, featuring a look back over the changes from former sites to current facilities and look at future exciting developments.
During the many years building up to the new hospital, I was invited to many meetings, although there was and is a lot of controversy about the hospital, most people who have had treatment there speak very well of the services and staff.
I along with Connie was at the Sod Cutting ceremony along with the CEO Chris Banks.
Like or loath the NHS/Hospital, it has services fit for today.
The finances are way above us mortals….anyone is welcome to attend….
I’ll be there….