Corby Council apologises for unlawful meeting error

Corby Council has apologised for failing to follow legal requirements by not advertising its annual council meeting.

Neither the meeting date nor the agenda for the most important meeting in the council’s yearly calendar was published on the council’s website, meaning members of the public were unaware that a new mayor and leader were being appointed.

By law, under statutory instrument 2089, all local authorities have to advertise and make publicly available the agenda five days before so that residents know a meeting is taking place as the authority is accountable to the local electorate.

Fortunately the meeting was virtual and can be viewed on the council’s YouTube channel. So far the video has only had 27 views.

The authority has not given a reason why it failed to comply with the legal requirement but said: “The open meeting was streamed live on our YouTube channel where it remains viewable to press and public. The date of this meeting was discussed as an agenda item at our Full Council meeting on August 26 where councillors agreed it would go ahead virtually on September 15. We apologise that the public were not able to access the documentation at the time of the meeting, and will ensure going forward that the website data is checked more regularly after any summons is issued.”

At the meeting the Labour-run authority voted in Cllr Tom Beattie as leader again with Cllr Jean Addison as his deputy. This will be his last year as leader at the authority will close down next March along with its local authority neighbours and be replaced by the new North Northants unitary council.

In his speech Cllr Beattie said: “As if local government reorganisation wasn’t a big enough challenge in itself, we have had to deal with a major health pandemic the like of which none of us has seen in our lifetimes. All of our efforts have been put into fighting and managing the devastating impact of Covid 19.

“As I speak Corby remains on the Government’s watch list of areas with rising incidences of infection. I make no apology for reiterating the advice and guidelines that we have been urging people to follow. If we do so, we can get on top of this thing, which hasn’t gone away, and avoid what would be a very damaging local lockdown.

“ It is great credit to the staff here at CBC that we have continued to provide the services that our residents expect from their council. In the most trying of circumstances they have risen magnificently to the challenge and I would like to pay tribute on behalf of all elected members for their efforts. Rightly we have applauded our NHS health workers who have been in the front line of the fight against this virus. But when we get back to normality, as we surely will, the role of local government workers should be remembered and celebrated also.

“On a personal note I would like to say it has been the honour of my life to lead this council. On first being asked to be a candidate for election in 2003 I said yes but only on condition that I will be a backbencher and ward representative. I have no leadership ambitions. Well, that went well!

“I have to thank all those people I have worked with since 2003. The many staff, some now departed, elected members from across the political divide and all of our external partners. We have achieved a lot here in Corby and should rightly be proud of our achievements. None of it would have happened though without the efforts of all those people I have mentioned. I would like to pay particular tribute to our chief executive Norman Stronach who has been alongside me throughout my leadership. He has been a strong and reliable colleague and friend.

” And we’re not done yet. In the remaining months left to us I want to work with you all, including opposition members, to ensure we leave a real legacy for the people of Corby. We won’t slip quietly into the night though. Plans are afoot for us to formally mark the end of Corby Borough Council. All I can say is, watch this space.”

Cllr Lawrence Ferguson was given the honour of the new mayor. He follows in the footsteps of his grandfather John Wood Cowling who was mayor in 1996.

He said at the virtual meeting: “The council and the community have come together to ensure that we are meeting the challenges presented. These challenges are likely to be with us for some time.

“It is customary for incoming mayors to have a theme or issue that they promote during their term of office.

“Corby is a very green place, especially when you compare us to other similar industrial towns. All the work that the council, partners and volunteers have put into making the town look good – the Boating Lake, our woodlands, Coronation Park ( indeed all our parks and open spaces), and how could I not mention our wonderful wild roundabouts – are a credit to all involved.

“It is important that we protect our woods and open spaces and that we encourage people to get out and about and use them, particularly as we go through a pandemic where health and wellbeing are so important.

“In addition, it is customary for the mayor to nominate charitable causes for their year in office. Obviously this is a difficult time, but I intend nominating causes so that any money that may be raised can be distributed.

“Given the circumstances we are in, the work of the Royal British Legion is difficult, and their normal fundraising efforts through the Poppy Appeal limited. In recognition of this, I will be nominating the Royal British Legion as one of my nominated charities.

“My second good cause will be the Corby Lottery Fund. This distributes money to a variety of local good causes, charitable and voluntary groups. Hopefully all will benefit in some way.”

Cllr Kevin Watt was nominated as leader of the Conservative group and Cllr Elise Elliston is now lead member for finance, Cllr Bob Eyles is housing lead member, Cllr Mark Pengelly is in charge of environment and Cllr John McGhee is lead member for community.