Seaton can provide a blueprint for maintenance of marina and car parking charges - Mike Hill MP

Since being elected, I’ve had my fair share of complaints about the upkeep of the place and more recently a literal deluge about unfair parking charges on what is a privately owned site.

The marina is a wonderful place and a popular attraction with great businesses, cafes and restaurants. If the council takes over responsibility for its running then at least we can expect fairer parking charges and any revenues to be ploughed back into the area.

A bit like Seaton, where revenues from the controversial introduction of parking charges there, has seen welcome improvements to the place.

Record high temperatures saw people flock there in their droves last Monday. The beach, the paddling pool, the new crazy golf course, the tea room, restaurants, pubs and chippies, were all chocka blocka; great news for the local economy and our award-winning coastline.

Let’s face it, we live in a fabulous area brimming full of fabulous people. One of our most famous sons, Wayne Sleep, was on the BBC news last week waxing lyrical about his days as a hooker for West Hartlepool Rugby Club.

Then there was the superhuman performance in the Ashes by Durham and England Cricketer, Ben Stokes, who did our area and country proud.

We harbour such talent here, it’s almost eye watering, which is why I’m so pleased for Jaime Hordon and everyone at Creative Minds, that three of their students have made it through to the finals of The Voice, on the BBC.

Going back to Seaton, I was simply blown away by the initiative being developed there and across the region by the organisation Beach Access North East.

Thanks to local Coun James Black and other volunteers, wheel chair users are able to access our stunning beaches for the first time, using specially adapted beach accessible equipment, allowing them to enjoy as much freedom as possible at the seaside and visit areas that would otherwise remain out of reach.

Such a simple, but life changing idea, is making all the difference to people’s lives. Last week we hosted the World Transplant Games in the region; a magnificent and amazing showcase of strength through endurance. I really can’t think of a better place, with the most welcoming people in the world, for such a competition to take place in.

Bringing on our sporting heroes is something we can be proud of, think of Savannah Marshall and others. That is why it’s important that we get it right when it comes to the replacement for the Mill House Leisure Centre. Consultation on its replacement ends on September 15, and in order to get it right the council needs to hear from you. Please get involved in shaping its future . Details can be found on the council website.