Labour: 'Why people of Hartlepool should vote for us on Thursday'
With council elections just around the corner, we're shining a spotlight on the parties standing candidates in Hartlepool, to give them a chance to make their case to residents.
Voters are due to head to polling stations on Thursday, May 7, to have their say on who should represent them on Hartlepool Borough Council.
One seat is up for grabs in each of the area’s 12 wards and a total of 57 candidates are standing across the borough.
All parties fielding contenders, along with the independents hoping to be elected, have been given the opportunity to tell readers why you should vote for them.
Here’s what Manor House candidate Pamela Hargreaves, leader of the borough council and the Labour group, who have candidates standing in all 12 wards, had to say:
“When we took over in 2024, we were clear about the challenge. Services stretched. Standards slipping. Finances under real pressure after years of decisions by different administrations.
“So we focused on one thing first: fixing the foundation. Getting the basics right again.
“You can see that now. Pride in Place clean-ups tackling areas left for years, street sweeping doubled, litter pickers back out, and £20m invested in neighbourhood priorities.
“At the same time, we’ve put Hartlepool first.
“We secured a £12bn nuclear investment, bringing 2,500 jobs, alongside a £13.8m Trades Academy and new skills programmes across the town.
“We’ve delivered £11m for electric buses, £500k for playgrounds, nearly £100k for libraries, and major investment in colleges, youth services, and community facilities.
“We backed safer streets with over £2m in extra policing, tougher action on off-road bikes, and stronger neighbourhood teams.
“We’re supporting families too, lifting 3,210 children out of poverty, cutting energy bills, expanding free school meals, and capping uniform costs.
“At the same time, we’re investing in health, with new dental access, hospital upgrades, and improved GP services.
“We are also delivering £10m Youth Guarantee opportunities, £17.7m to connect people to work and £18m supporting health and employment recovery.
“Flood defences are protecting homes, cultural investments are restoring landmarks and the new Highlight leisure centre opens on June 10th.
“We are closing the Seaton landfill, strengthening renters’ rights, and securing better support for workers. We have also secured long-term growth: a strengthened rail link, major regeneration, new jobs programmes, and investment in skills academies and industry.
“Backed by £40m in additional council funding, we’re rebuilding services, protecting communities, and restoring pride.
“All of this shows what putting Hartlepool first really means.
“This is a plan. It’s working. Hartlepool is on the up. Don’t risk it.”