Complaint made against Hartlepool deputy leader of council following meeting

Independent councillor Paul Thompson has called for deputy leader of the authority and chairman of the Regeneration Committee Councillor Kevin Cranney to resign from his role as an elected member, following the heated meeting of the Regeneration Committee.

Coun Thompson said he is unhappy at Coun Cranney’s conduct in the meeting and also alleged comments he made.

A spokesman for Hartlepool Borough Council has confirmed that a complaint has been made.

Coun Thompson has also called on leader of the council, Coun Christopher Akers-Belcher, to “remove” his deputy from office.

However, Coun Akers-Belcher described him as a “great asset” to the organisation and said: “If any councillor makes an allegation against a Councillor it is the role of our monitoring officer to investigate such.

“There are no plans from me to remove any councillor from their position and my deputy is a great asset to the council and an excellent chair of Regeneration Policy Committee, driving forward to realise the ambition our council has for Hartlepool.”

A Hartlepool Borough Council spokesman said: “We can confirm that a complaint against Councillor Kevin Cranney was received following the meeting of the Regeneration Services Committee and this will be processed in the usual way.”