Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

I can assure you that ‘most’ councillors and some ex councillors ‘view’ the posts on Whittlesey Street Life, but I am sorry to say, ‘some’ people, whinging continuously about very little indeed. I have met on a number of occasions some of the Street Lifers, who have openly admitted that they ‘enjoy’ winding and whinging’.
I am also pleased that there are a ‘few’ on Street Life, who are much more positive of our area.
I’ll give you a small example…. Our Street Cleaner Peter (Lilly) Savage, deserves a big thank you, he goes way and beyond his job remit. Only on Monday I witnessed him sweeping and digging all the weeds from under the benches and other street furniture around the Market Square – and no he wasn’t doing this because of some competition or the cycle race coming by this Sunday. I and many other ‘Always’ know when he is in town as it is always kept in a good state of cleanliness…. Remember HE does not make the Rubbish – people make the Rubbish and there is plenty of it.
Of course our Street Pride Group has done a fantastic job over the past 8+ years, I and they go our several times a week as well as our usual fortnightly organised events.
Stop whinging and wining – Help, Get out, Do something, Get involved, Make a positive difference. I can assure you – we live in one of the cleanest – safest places in Cambridgeshire. Not Litter Free or Crime Free – many people have come to the area because of these reasons.

Being a founder member of the PPG I always find the meetings interesting, we get information and updates direct from the Practice Manager and Dr Gary Howsen.
One of the on going issues is that of the level of service patients receive from Boots the Chemist. Boots being a totally different business to that of the Surgery.
I was one of the patients who for many years obtained my medicines from this branch of Boots, however I found last year I was having a mix up with my prescription and on many occasions a shortage of medication – needed me to return to pick up the short fall.
I made these concerns known to both the PPG and Boots and in the end changed my chemist. Since then no further issues.
The Patients Group have now met with Management and have had ‘some’ positive feedback.
Whittlesey being a growing town (infrastructure still a dirty word) – Boots claim that they have had an increase of 66% of patients requiring their services since 2007.
Next meeting 13th July at NQS / 19:00 upstairs meeting room (There is a lift)

I have left the ‘post’ as it is – however I have to put in a disclaimer…..
When I signed the ‘petition’ it wanted quite a lot of personal information, which most petitions require in order that they remain ‘valid’ signatures, however after I had completed the form I was taken to another page asking for ‘donations’ – this is a free choice and you do not have to donate anything.
Secondly I have already had 2 e-mails from Change.org the web hoster, I hope I do not get anymore.
I host and finance my own websites, this being one and the other being my old shipping company London & Overseas Freighters.
Just be weary – the idea is well meaning and innocent enough.

1/
FENLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL: Please sign to urge Fenland District Council to approve planning consent for Sainsbury’s Whittlesey, by Tuesday 30th June 2015.

Above is being circulated on various media, if you feel strongly enough to support and help to ‘try’ and get the ‘final’ stages completed then please follow the above link.

2/ Apologies for No recent News, sometimes I go away…and ‘real’ news is somewhat spartan. However I and a couple of other members of the public (myself being now public) attended last Wednesdays Whittlesey Town Council meeting. As most of the area should know by now, Bruce Smith the developer for the site on Eastrea Road, gave an e-mail to the ‘New council’ (below last post).
I have had communication from one of the ‘other’ members of the public present and publish in part what he said to me…. I am not the only person who wonders why bother to have a council meeting when ‘most’ decisions are made beforehand….The electorate decided in the election who they wanted and now they have got what exactly that…
quote..

“Community Activist”.
I love it!

Very interesting meeting last night, with some controversial points.
The Sainsbury debacle continues, it’s about time pressure was put on FDC Planning to get their fingers out.
The North Bank speed limit will create a flurry of comments on Streetlife.
As you probably gathered, I am gobsmacked that a councillor can sit at the meeting and admit that he hasn’t looked at a planning application in his ward.
I was also amazed that all the appointments had been decided beforehand.
When and where would this all have taken place?

Cllr Ralph Butcher in ‘Deep thought’                   First to attend an empty room to get best seat?
Congratulations to Cllr Alex Miscandlon
on becoming the ‘New Mayor’ from
Cllr David Mason.

With permission from Mr Bruce Smith the developer on behalf of a Supermarket, Business Park and Country Park…..e-mail to FDC, councillors and interested parties (The Public)

Sainburys/Business Park applications Whittlesey

Graham

I write to confirm that if a planning consent is not issued by 30 June 2015(including the completion of any required S106 Agreement) then Sainsburys will be able to terminate their contractual commitments and withdraw from the transaction to deliver a food store and Country park  in Whittlesey.

Accordingly any investment in job creation,consumer choice and the country park will be lost.

The public have overwhemingly supported this application for nearly 4 years and so I would urge you not to lose sight of this date as there is nothing I can do once it has passed to recover the situation , there are no other food store operators willing to come forward.Indeed from press announcements I would infer that Sainsburys if given the chance and if they had their time again, would not progress this opportunity,I cannot impress upon you enough that this is really a once in a generation opportunity for Whittlesey which if lost will never be repeated.

It is therefore critical that you as Officers and your members are aware of this and if you are supportive then please do all you can to issue the consent in the immediate future(and replicate the S106 agreement in substantcially the same form as per the existing S106 for the previous scheme).

My preference is immediate delegated approval so that all parties can then focus on the S106( with only absolutely essential changes being permitted to preclude any delay) and in this way it should be possible to have an approval by mid June in the worst case.

The  principle and existing food store permission was originally approved following  3 Development Control Committees and given that we are now only talking about technical highway changes I do not think that any further reference to Development Control Committee is a beneficial use of members time.
The risk of delay far outweighs the JR risk which was totally dismissed without merit last time.
Can you please  advise me of the determination date for deciding these applications as a matter of extreme urgency as I am coming under pressure to make a public statement to supporters.

I and Whittlesey town are soley in your hands as to whether this scheme can ever be delivered.  If you consider a meeting between  you and the members of the council and I would be helpful I am available.

Regards Bruce

So there we have it straight from the man who has put a ‘lot’ of money into getting this development where it is today. June 30th is the crunch date.

Watch this space….it is the ‘only’ place you will get ‘facts’ not rumours…
RG.

Peterborough City Council are to apply for a permanent 40 mph speed limit along the North Bank. The temporary measure was brought in after much lobbying by the action groups, residents and councillors. Six accidents occurred in a space of six days during November/December 2013. A new safety barrier was put in place on one of the dangerous bends. Speed has played a great part in these accidents, today I publish a motorcycle and a car overtaking me both doing well in excess of 40 mph as my in car camera recorded. double click on image to get a full sized view, I make no apologies for naming and shaming.
Colin Martin and his group campaigned hard along with a 2,500 signature petition to try and get improvements done – these (2) motorist(cyclist) should be very aware of the past dangers of this road – Stop Speeding…..

Having reported on several occasions and by others….A Large Bag of ‘Fly-Tipped’ Asbestos in the small layby on Ramsey Road. It has taken 2 not days but Weeks for it to be removed….Being fair as I try to be our Street Scene Officers (2) were on the case. I was told that the ‘Rapid Response’ team who would normally deal with this were ‘Busy’ in Wisbech and March….As I said maybe a sign of things to come!

The ink has hardly dried on ‘our’ elected representatives acceptance forms, when – blow me down with a feather…’some’ @ FDC are talking about ‘cuts and how to raise revenues’ Who-ever was elected has the unenviable task of trying to balance a budget on much less grants and subsidies from Central Government. But come-on – can no one ‘think‘ beyond the ‘box’ – Car Parks charges are being ‘thought’ about, charging for (I spoke about this 18 months ago) for empting ‘Brown Bins’. I can think beyond the ‘box’ but since I was not elected why should I give my informed advice to anyone…..and in any case probably not worthy of me. There are enough Whittlesey Town and District councillors very capable of ‘thinking’ for themselves….. More later…

What can I say…So close yet so far away! – A Big thank you to the 450 who voted for me in the St Andrews/District election, the 273 who voted for me in the St Marys/Town election.
Unfortunately the Conservative (with respect) voting machine is far too well financed, organised and very efficient. I will repeat my due respect for the due democratic process having taken its course. Undoubtedly there was some personal vote for both Cllr David Mason and Cllr Julie Windle, but I truly believe that the voter for a ‘Political’ reason is all wrong on local elections.
What we have now is a ‘council’ who in most cases have been elected coming from just one political group. There is ‘shortage’ of full debate/transparency and openness due to meetings held behind closed doors prior to a council meeting.
This is what the political voter has allowed to happen.
We have councillors who recently rarely turn up for meetings, who have been re-elected.
We have councillors who have been elected who have never been to a council meeting – ever…
So the electorate have spoken – I have been asked to keep my ‘Rants and Raves’ web/blog running…which I am more than happy to do.

Naturally not having been elected can sometimes has its advantages, I am not as constrained in my activist views, and as I have found out before – Sometimes! – one get more done outside than inside!

Again congratulations to the elected Cllr Mason and Cllr Windle and I hope you will represent ‘everyone’ with full openness and transparency.

The ‘political’ landscape of both Towns and Fenland remains much the same.

Roy G….

ps I will update the rest of the pages in due time.

It has been a preveldge to have been your Ward Town Councillor for the past 4 years.
I thank all my friends, supporters and electors for giving me their confidence.
Today at the count, many will have seen the results, but I will publish here.

For District council:
Cllr David Mason     (Con)     788
Roy Gerstner             (Ind)     450
Alex Oates                  (Green) 166

For Town council:
Cllr Julie Windle       (Con)     302
Roy Gerstner              (Ind)     273

Many thanks again, the conservative vote throughout Fenland/Whittlesey was far too strong for my team to take on and I congratulate both David and Julie for their success.
                                                        Julie W and Roy G at the count.

So here we are – the day before you vote. My concerns are that some 60% of the electorate do not vote for various reasons – apathy, fed up, same old stuff etc.
I ask for as many of you as possible – NOT to be put off,
please use your vote – and I hope use it for me.
I have used my strengths and track record to try and convince as many as possible.
I am now in your hands.

Thank you for reading my blog/website and I look forward (hopefully) in serving another term as the only
‘Independent Voice’ of St Marys/St Andrews and for Whittlesey.

As I have said many times, I can make no promises (unlike MP’s!) I can do my very best to lobby and promote issues.
1/ If elected I will lobby and promote for an ALL weather bus shelter on Broad Street, with proper road markings for Buses.
2/ If elected I will lobby and promote for a Website for Whittlesey Town council. All our residents should be properly ‘informed’ in a timely manner about council business and not rely on ‘social media’ for hearsay or inaccuracies.
3/ If elected I will continue to lobby keeping our Whittlesey Re-cycling centre open
4/ If elected I will lobby to keep the Kings Dyke crossing at the for-front of Highways issues.
5/ If elected I will continue to lobby our Police & Crime Commissioner to keep our established number of Officers in our town.

This is just my top 5 – you may have more – if elected I will do my best to promote your views……the most recent being more Cycle Racks in and around our town to encourage more people to use Cycles.

Speed Watch campaign – At various locations in/around Whittlesey.©