03/08/2026
RESPONSE Cllr Graham Cheatley
Please find below my response to recent comment on Facebook regarding Corby
1. Introduction
Corby has enormous strengths, assets and opportunities within the wider context of North Northamptonshire Council (NNC). Several of my residents have asked me to respond to the recent online narratives suggesting that Corby is “losing out” while other towns “gain”, and that the Council’s administration is showing bias against Corby.
These claims are not supported by evidence. This response sets out:
The real strengths of Corby across facilities, services, community assets and economic opportunities.
A balanced comparison with Kettering, Wellingborough and Rushden.
A clear explanation of the Corporate Plan, the One Council approach and the Big 50 vision.
Recognition of the hard work of councillors, officers and staff across the whole organisation.
A factual rebuttal of misleading claims posted on the “save Corby fireworks” Facebook group
An account of the official Council meeting response regarding Corby Fireworks, a question posed by Cllr Colhoun.
Direct answers to the four public questions raised by the unknown owner / author of the “save Corby fireworks”.
The Corporate Plan is central to my response. It is the Council’s strategic blueprint for fairness, balanced investment, thriving communities, environmental responsibility, and long-term prosperity across all of North Northamptonshire.
2. Summary
Corby is one of the strongest and fastest growing towns in North Northamptonshire. It has exceptional leisure facilities, extensive parkland, a strong employment base, a wide network of neighbourhood centres, and a deep tradition of community clubs and social groups. These strengths place Corby in a very strong position within the wider “One Council” vision and align directly with the Corporate Plan’s priorities.
However, North Northamptonshire is one area, not four competing towns and associated smaller towns and villages. Investment is planned strategically across the whole region, and regeneration is delivered in phases based on need, market conditions and recent investment levels, not politics.The Big 50 initiative celebrates the entire area: its countryside, heritage, facilities, opportunities and communities. Corby is a major part of that story, but the success of North Northamptonshire depends on all towns and villages thriving together, exactly as set out in the Corporate Plan.
3. The Corporate Plan: One Area, One Future
The Corporate Plan sets out a unified vision for North Northamptonshire built around several key themes:
3.1 Thriving Places
Creating vibrant, safe, well-connected towns and villages.
Corby’s leisure facilities (have recently won National awards), parks, neighbourhood centres and cultural identity directly support this priority.
3.2 Healthy and Active Communities
Supporting wellbeing, sport, recreation, green spaces and community participation.
Corby excels here with its 50m pool, athletics facilities, woodland, parks and community clubs.
3.3 A Green and Sustainable Environment
Protecting natural assets, improving biodiversity, and supporting sustainable growth.
Corby’s extensive woodland and green corridors are major contributors.
3.4 A Prosperous Economy
Encouraging investment, supporting businesses, and creating jobs.
Corby’s industrial estates, logistics hubs and Garden Communities are central to this goal.
Corby has been allocated substantial recent investment:
Just one example of another recent investment in Corby:
On the 14 July 2026, NNC Executive approved a major capital programme increase of £30.6 million, which included: Refurbishment and modernisation of council properties, Workspace transformation projects Procurement of new equipment and building improvements. The Corby Business Innovation Hub is one of the buildings included in this refurbishment programme.
The Hub is heavily used and houses a large number of business tenants. It is unique to Corby. The refurbishment ensures: Modern, high quality workspace, Improved heating, lighting, and energy efficiency, Better accessibility and safety, Upgraded IT and electrical infrastructure, A more professional environment for business tenants.
A second example: North Northamptonshire Council was delighted to be awarded £19.9m through the Town Fund in June 2021. This winning bid was set out in Corby’s Town Investment Plan and detailed four projects to encourage economic growth in the local area:
Corby Sixth Form at Chisholm House (allocated £9.5m)
Multi-use Building (allocated £1.5m)
Town Centre to Train Station Link Road (allocated £8.59m)
Smart and Connected Corby (allocated £0.31m)
3.5 High-Quality Council Services
Delivering reliable, efficient services across the whole area.
Corby benefits from strong children’s services, library, youth provision and neighbourhood centres.
3.6 One Council
Ensuring fairness, consistency and balanced investment across all towns.
This principle directly counters the narrative that Corby is “losing out”.The Corporate Plan is clear:
North Northamptonshire succeeds when all towns succeed together.
4. Responding to Questions from the anonymous “save Corby fireworks” group
The last poster on the “save Corby fireworks Facebook group asks four major questions.
Below are clear, factual answers aligned with the Corporate Plan and the One Council approach.
Question 1: Why are Corby’s valued services and traditions being cut or under threat?
They are not being cut to fund other towns. Where services or events are under review, the reasons for changes are varied and must make economic and fiscal sense, e.g the proposal to stop the crèche at the Corby International pool is part of the review resulting in bringing back in-house, leisure facilities across NNC.
As part of that review, the crèche was found to be costing the tax payer tens of thousands of pounds when on average 6.5 children per day were using it. Leisure facilities in Corby are exemplary and have recently had an investment of 4.38m including 601k direct NNC funding. This funding covered the installation of solar panels, source heat pumps, full heating system replacement, electrical upgrades, safety systems and energy‑efficiency works across three sites, including Corby International Pool. When compared with other facilities, the Corby pool and gym is described as one of the highest specification, competition‑capable swimming facilities in England.
Also, in terms of leisure investment we have also this year refurbished Lodge Park changing rooms and we are also about to reopen a refurbished spa at Corby pool.
On the 14th July this Executive agreed to replace gym equipment in both Lodge Park and Corby pool including state of the art EGYM equipment at a 5 year cost of circa £657k.
This administration has demonstrated it's commitment to Corby and the wider NNC in this further significant investment, attracting a customer base from miles around.
The kind of things that need to be considered in any review could be:
National funding pressures affecting all councils.
Rising operational and safety costs (e.g., Fireworks event).
End of external funding streams (e.g., UK Shared Prosperity Fund).
Legal safety requirements that significantly increase costs.
Need to prioritise essential services such as social care, children’s services, and statutory responsibilities.
These pressures apply across the whole of North Northamptonshire, not just Corby. The Corporate Plan requires the Council to:
Review inherited arrangements fairly.
Prioritise essential services.
Ensure financial responsibility.
Support sustainable community events.
Corby is certainly not being singled out.
Question 2: Why does Corby seem to be the only town that always loses out?
This perception is not supported by evidence.
Corby has:
The strongest leisure infrastructure in NNC, and recently won National awards.
The most extensive woodland and parkland.
More neighbourhood centres than any other town.
Major employment zones and Garden Communities.
A modern central library. Strong youth provision and community clubs.
Corby has not been deprioritised.
It is a major growth area with significant long-term investment. The Corporate Plan and One Council approach ensure:
Balanced investment across all towns.
Regeneration sequencing based on need, not politics. (We hope to have a town centre Masterplan for all our towns, Wellingborough first)
Fairness in decision-making. Corby is a core strength of North Northamptonshire.
Question 3: Who in the Executive is championing Corby’s needs and priorities?
Every Executive Member is responsible for all towns, not just their own. This is the One Council principle. However: Corby’s interests are represented by multiple Executive Members, including those responsible for finance, leisure, libraries, regeneration, and community services. Corby ward councillors of all parties, raise issues, challenge decisions, and advocate for their communities. Despite what people think, all Councillors cross party work well together. We have our differences but that is the democratic process. What we all have in common is representing our residents in the best way we can.
Officers work across the whole area, ensuring fairness and consistency. Corby is not without representation.
Its needs are championed at every level of the organisation.
Question 4: How is NNC ensuring funding is fairly shared across ALL our towns?
Funding is allocated based on: Need, Safety, Statutory responsibilities, Regeneration priorities, External funding availability, Market conditions, Long-term strategic planning.
The Corporate Plan ensures:
Fairness across all towns,
Balanced investment,
Sustainable decision-making
Transparency
One Council approach
Corby is not losing services so other towns can gain them.
This narrative is incorrect.
5. Corby’s Strengths and Assets
Corby’s strengths align directly with the Corporate Plan’s priorities.
5.1 Leisure & Sport Corby has some of the strongest leisure assets in the region:
Corby International Pool (regional-standard 50m pool and diving facilities).
Lodge Park Sports Centre.
Rockingham Triangle athletics and football facilities. Rugby, football, tennis, gymnastics and multiple private gyms.
5.2 Parks, Green Spaces & Outdoor Assets
Corby has more continuous woodland and parkland than any other NNC town:
Thoroughsale & Hazel Woods.
East Carlton Country Park.
West Glebe Park.
Boating Lake and nature reserves.
5.3 Children’s Services & Youth Provision
Corby has:
Children’s Centres.
Nurseries and pre-schools.
Youth clubs.
Sports programmes.
Arts and theatre groups.
Uniformed organisations.
5.4 Adult Clubs, Social Groups & Disability Support.
Corby has:
Social clubs.
Arts groups.
Choirs and music groups.
Men’s Sheds.
Disability sports and support groups.
Mental Health support e.g Andy Mans club
5.5 Library & Learning
Corby has: A large, modern central library, Adult learning programmes.
5.6 Neighbourhood Centres
Corby has more neighbourhood centres than any other NNC town.
5.7 Retail & Town Centre
Corby has:
Willow Place.
Independent shops.
Retail parks.
Markets.
5.8 Employment & Economy
Corby has:
Eurohub.
Weldon South.
Phoenix Parkway.
Garden Communities employment land.
5.9 Cultural Identity
Corby’s Scottish, Irish heritage and strong community spirit are unique strengths.
6. Comparison with Other Towns
Corby stands out in:
Leisure infrastructure.
Parkland and green space.
Community centres.
Youth engagement.
Industrial and logistics employment.
But each town contributes to the Corporate Plan’s vision:
Kettering: heritage, culture, business parks.
Wellingborough: regeneration need, growth zones.
Rushden: retail and leisure economy.
7. The One Council Vision
The Corporate Plan and One Council principle means: Investment is planned strategically across the whole area. Regeneration is sequenced based on need, not politics. Every town’s success contributes to the success of the whole. No town is favoured or ignored. Decisions are made for the long-term benefit of all communities. Corby’s strengths do not diminish the strengths of other towns, and their successes do not come at Corby’s expense.
8. The Big 50: Celebrating North Northamptonshire
The Big 50 celebrates:
Countryside
Parks and lakes
Leisure facilities
Heritage
Growing towns
Thriving villages
Community identity
Shared pride in North Northamptonshire
Corby is a major part of this story, but the Big 50 is about recognising the whole area.
9. Recognising Staff, Officers and Councillors
North Northamptonshire Council works because of:
Hard-working staff delivering services every day. I know I see and talk to them everyday, they are amazing.
Professional officers managing complex pressures.
Councillors of all political backgrounds representing their wards with commitment and pride. It is irrelevant to me what your Political colours are. We have 68 hard working, committed ward Councillors.
Ward councillors who know their communities intimately and work tirelessly for them.
This dedication is often unseen, but it is the foundation of the Council’s success.
We are not perfect, we will make decisions that are sometimes unpopular but we will all do our very best for our residents, within the climate of dire successive government financing restraints..
10. Corby Fireworks:
10.1 I recognise the long standing value of the Corby Bonfire and Fireworks event. The enjoyment it has brought to residents over many years.The importance of tradition, while also recognising that tradition alone cannot determine decisions. Throughout NNC, similar events are organised and run by local Town and Parish councils and have been for many years.
10.2 Rising Costs and Financial Pressures
The event cost £18,380 in 2022. Costs rose to over £46,000 in 2025, for a single evening. In the current financial climate, this level of spending is difficult to justify. Every pound spent on the event is a pound not available for essential services, which must come first for the benefit of all NNC residents.
10.3 Why Costs Have Increased
Counter-terrorism requirements, Under the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025:
Hostile Vehicle Mitigation
Enhanced perimeter fencing
Vehicle searching
Staff counter-terrorism training
Security and traffic management
New security provider
Enhanced security package
Enhanced traffic management
Safety infrastructure
Dedicated perimeter/security fencing
Enhanced medical and water-safety provision
Environmental Protection requirements
Fire-retardant torch sleeves
Procession cordoning
Bonfire enclosure identification
Watering the grass
Staffing
Fully costed staffing requirements
These are non-negotiable safety requirements for events of this scale.
10.4 Loss of External Funding: Since 2023, the event has been funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.This funding ceased on 1 April 2026. There is no budget for the event moving forward. The funds would have had to be taken from our General Fund, the same fund which is used to care for our vulnerable young and older adults.
10.5 The Council’s Financial Responsibility
The Council has committed to being disciplined, focused and responsible with public money. We have already made over 26m in savings last year and plan another 20.1m this year simply to ensure our books are balanced. This means making tough decisions. The fireworks event is one of those decisions. This aligns directly with the Corporate Plan’s commitment to financial responsibility and high-quality services. (Adult and children's social care e.g Our children's services have just received an Outstanding, Good, Good Good grading from Ofsted. This is significant and I applaud all our Officers, staff and executive member, working in Children's services)
10.6 Working With Partners
The Council is committed to working with partners to explore sustainable alternatives. Officers will share expertise, plans and support with any organisation wishing to take on the event. Conversations with Corby Town Council and local entrepreneurs are already underway. However, no organisation is currently able to deliver the event in 2026.
10.7 A “Fallow Year” The Council expects 2026 will be a “fallow year”.This pause will allow time for a new, refreshed, financially sustainable event to be developed for future years.
10.8 Invitation to the Community
The Council welcomes anyone interested in delivering a new bonfire event in future years.The Council will support any viable proposal.
11. How This Fits Into the Corporate Plan
The Fireworks decision reflects several Corporate Plan priorities:
Financial Responsibility
Ensuring public money is used wisely and sustainably.
Healthy and Safe Communities
Meeting modern safety standards and protecting residents.
Thriving Places
Supporting events, but ensuring they are viable and safe.
One Council
Ensuring fairness across all towns and reviewing inherited arrangements.
Partnership Working
Encouraging community-led and partner-led solutions.
12. Conclusion
Corby remains a strong, proud, growing town with exceptional assets, exceptional people, and exceptional potential. Nothing in this response should leave anyone feeling that Corby is “losing out” or “being sacrificed”. The evidence simply does not support that narrative. What it does show is a town with enormous strengths, major investment, national level facilities, and a community spirit that is second to none.
But I also want to speak plainly. Local government is under immense financial pressure, not because of decisions made in Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough or Rushden, or towns and villages in-between but because of successive national funding reductions that have hit councils across the Country. Corby and all NNC residents deserve to know the truth, for just one example: We are only allowed to keep less than half of the business rates we collect. The rest goes straight back to central government. Much of that money is then redistributed to other councils, often in London or large metropolitan areas.This is why I am asking Corby residents to join me in lobbying our MP for a fairer funding system. This is where the effort needs to concentrate. Corby contributes strongly to the national economy. We should be allowed to keep more of what we generate. I also want residents to know that I am here, in person, every day. Every month, I attend the Beanfield / Kingswood community association meetings to answer questions, listen to concerns, and work directly with residents on ward issues. (All NNC Councillors will do similar surgeries and all want to engage with you). You are always welcome. Please come along, challenge me, ask questions, and help shape the future of our town.
And to the author of the posts on the “Save Corby Fireworks” Facebook group, I extend a personal invitation. Meet me face to face, confidentially if you wish or openly. I will answer any questions you have. You are also welcome to attend our Full Council meetings or Executive meetings, where you can ask direct public questions and receive direct public answers. I genuinely thank you for your interest in Corby’s affairs, passionate residents make our democracy stronger. Corby is not a town that sits back, I know I am Corby born and bred. We are a town that stands up.
We stand up for our services.
We stand up for our traditions.
We stand up for our future.
And we stand up for each other.
The Corporate Plan is clear:
North Northamptonshire is strongest when all towns succeed together, and Corby is absolutely central to that shared success. I am proud to represent Corby and the whole of NNC, I am proud of our residents. And I am proud of the future we are building together.
Cllr Graham Cheatley
Deputy Leader & Executive Member
For Finance, Efficiency & Change
North Northants Council
