Labour deputy mayor of Corby steps down as youth club financial irregularities are investigated
The deputy mayor of Corby has resigned from her post after money was found to be missing from the Hazel Leys Happening Youth Club’s accounts.
Cllr Susanne Cunningham will not complete the remainder of her deputy mayoral year at Corby Town Council. She is also expected take a sabbatical as a councillor, the Northants Telegraph has learned.
She has also left her voluntary managerial role at the Hazel Leys Youth Club, which she helped set up for children on the estate in 2022. The club is funded by grant money, small entry fees and public donations and has been credited with being a lifeline for many disadvantaged local children after the withdrawal of all council-run youth clubs from the town.
The former Spirit of Corby winner has now resigned from her civic posts after financial irregularities were spotted in the youth club accounts. The club has been investigating over recent weeks and continues to do so.
There is no suggestion any children have been harmed or put at any risk.
Cllr Cunningham, who lives on the Kingswood estate, is also a town council representative on the town council’s youth council and is a trustee for the Kingswood and Hazel Leys Community Workshop.
The Labour Party has also been informed of the situation and this afternoon could not confirm whether it had taken any action, issuing a statement that said: “All complaints are assessed thoroughly in line with our rules and procedures.”
A Corby Town Council spokeswoman said: “We can confirm Cllr Susanne Cunningham has resigned from the position of deputy mayor. She remains a town councillor.”
A Hazel Leys Youth Club spokeswoman said that they did not want to comment but our reporters believe Cllr Cunningham was asked to step down from her voluntary post there amid the investigation.
A statement sent to parents of young people at the club said: “Susanne is no longer part of the youth club. This is not related to any safeguarding breaches and we are unable to comment further.
“We are committed to keeping the club running as normal.”
Cllr Cunningham did not respond to a request for comment.