Tributes to former Hartlepool Borough Council leader Shane Moore as he prepares to quit as councillor
Tributes have been paid to a former Hartlepool Borough Council leader and ceremonial mayor as he prepares to step down as a councillor after 10 years.
Councillor Shane Moore, who represents the Headland and Harbour ward, has confirmed he will not be seeking re-election when his term comes to an end in May.
He served as local authority leader for four years from 2019 to 2023, heading a coalition between independent and Conservative councillors, and was then ceremonial mayor in the 2023-2024 municipal year.
The Independent Union representative was first elected to the council in 2016 as a UKIP candidate and during his time on the local authority he also briefly represented the Brexit Party.
Speaking at the last full council meeting of the 2025-26 municipal year, Cllr Moore said it had been a “pleasure” to serve as both ceremonial mayor and leader during his time on the council.
He added the local authority “did some amazing things” during his time in the head political role.
Cllr Moore continued: “I’ve met some lovely people through the years, I’ve worked with some amazing councillors.
“This council has had and continues to have some of the best officers I have ever had the pleasure of meeting in local government.”
Looking to the future, he urged councillors to “talk to each other” as it is “the only way” they are going to be able to “move forward collectively”.
He concluded: “If we truly, and if you truly believe in working together for the betterment of the town, actions really do need to speak louder than words.”
Current local authority leader Labour’s Councillor Pamela Hargreaves paid tribute to Cllr Moore for his work in the borough and in his ward despite never seeing “eye to eye” politically.
She added: “There has never been any doubt that what has been in your heart has been what you thought was in the best interest of the people of Hartlepool.
Another former council leader, Labour’s Councillor Brenda Harrison, also thanked Cllr Moore for his service to Hartlepool.
She added: “I think you have a lot of really good qualities that have come out and have helped this town and this borough and you’ve done a great job as a councillor.”