Corby Council leader Tom honoured with top award

The leader of Corby Council has picked up the top gong at a prestigious national award ceremony in the Oscars for councillors.

Cllr Tom Beattie picked up the council leader of the year title during an online ceremony last beating six other council leaders across England in the LGIU (Local Government Information Unit) and CCLA (Churches, Charities and Local Authorities) organised awards.

It was second time lucky for Cllr Beattie having been nominated previously for the the LGIU & CCLA Cllr Awards, now in their eleventh year - the only national ceremony to celebrate the contributions of councillors.

He said: "I was extremely honoured to have won. It is a real achievement to have won this title.

"I would like to thank all the people who nominated me, the judges for voting for me and all the other councillors who I have worked with. I would also like to thank my family who have had to put up with my absences to attend meetings."

Cllr Beattie, 64, will retire next year and not stand for election to the new North Northamptonshire unitary authority. He will remain on the shadow executive committee from April 1 until May 10, 2021. His winner's trophy and certificate will then be moved to his home from the Corby Cube.

He added: "It was weird to be sitting at home watching the ceremony on my laptop. They sent the nominees a bottle of Prosecco and a box of chocolates to have during the ceremony.

"It was a real honour to be shortlisted with this list of distinguished council leaders. I see it as a win for myself and the whole of the council.

"Corby used to be a byword for decline and social issues. Watching the town regain its confidence and bounce back again, that makes me very proud."

Cllr Beattie moved to Corby in 1972 with his family. He got involved in the trade union movement when he started work and became a union official for 22 years. This led him to stand for local government, becoming a councillor in 2003 and eventually leader of the council.

He said: "Becoming a councillor from being a trade union official seemed to be an inevitable step. To be able to represent people in my community. To give them a voice."

In a congratulatory tweet, Tom Pursglove, MP for Corby and East Northants, said: "Congratulations, @TomBeattie2010 (Tom Beattie).

"Whilst we might be of different parties and we might not always agree on everything - although we often agree more than we perhaps both might be willing to admit - this is richly deserved and testament to your tireless work for #Corby."

Cllr Beattie beat Cllr Julian German of Cornwall Council; Cllr Robert Gledhill of Thurrock Council; Cllr Christopher Hammond of Southampton City Council; Cllr Toby Savage of South Gloucestershire Council; Cllr Bridget Smith of South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cllr Danny Thorpe of the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

In May, Cllr Beattie will retire from politics to concentrate on his sporting passions, especially cricket, when he hopes to be able to go to the West Indies or Australia for a test series with the 'Barmy Army'.

He added: "I'm looking forward to having a rest."

To watch the LGIU & CCLA Cllr Awards 2020 ceremony click here.