Covid costs Corby Council £2 million

Corby Council has been hit by the Covid-19 crisis to the tune of £2 million.

The first account of how the local authority’s finances were impacted was given at a full council meeting last night (Wednesday).

Chief finance officer Adrian Sibley told councillors that £1 million of the cost will be covered by government grants meaning the authority will have to find the remaining £1 million from its own funds.

The impact has largely come from a loss of income and fees - the authority has had to close its international pool and leisure facilities since the lockdown began in March.

There will be further impact in the next financial year when the council tax and business rate losses are incurred. There were few details however as the first written report about the finances will go to the One Corby meeting in August.

At the meeting a number of councillors praised the efforts of the officers during the pandemic. The council has been involved in getting food and aid to the vulnerable in the local community.

There was also a verbal update given by the chief executive Norman Stronach and head of property Jonathan Waterworth about when council buildings would open and service begin to resume as part of its ‘recovery phase’.

The pool will open this weekend but for lessons and clubs only and it is not known as yet when leisure swimming will commence. The pool’s health suite and the cafe will also remain closed.

The Cube will also open on Mondays and Fridays to take cash payments, but by appointment only. The Cube will re-open to staff, but only 30 per cent will be able to return with the remainder continuing to home work.

Non emergency repairs will also begin again on the council’s stock as the authority had been prioritsing emergency only during the lockdown and its repairs team had struggled to get materials.

This is the last municipal year of the authority before it closes down to be replaced by the new North Northants unitary in April next year.

At the meeting council leader Tom Beattie gave an update and said every effort was being made to ensure the new council would go ahead as planned.

There is flexibility for Parliament to give consent to a later vesting day if it is felt the new authority will not be safe and legal.