What new Hartlepool Borough Council leader Graham Harrison says is his 'main priority'

Reform UK’s councillor Graham Harrison, who represents the Burn Valley ward, has said it is a “really, really big honour” and it is “very humbling” to have been appointed to the authority’s top political role.

His party leads the council as a minority administration with 15 councillors after winning all 12 available seats in the recent local elections – taking over from Labour.

Cllr Harrison, who became a councillor for the first time in May, said it has been a “great, whirlwind journey” since being elected as leader at the annual meeting last month.

He added: “It’s a new experience, you just don’t realise what goes on behind the doors in a council until you’re part of it.

“We just want to be open and honest with all the residents of Hartlepool and we want to deliver positives for our town.”

The comments came after Cllr Harrison welcomed the Hartlepool Mail into the Civic Centre to discuss the new administration’s priorities.

The former Yodel courier continued: “The priority is being clear about where the council is and taking a practical approach to what can be achieved.

“I think the main priority is financial stability, the council itself faces a very challenging financial position.

“It’s essential we make sure that all our spending is sustainable and public money is used wisely and effectively.”

The Hartlepool-born council leader noted the financial situation facing the council is “quite grim” and they are talking with officers before coming forward with any plans.

Cllr Harrison, who is 54 and married with children, outlined another priority, adding: “We’re getting lots of complaints about litter and fly-tipping. These are all things we’re looking at.”

As to whether special responsibility allowances for certain positions on the council would be re-introduced, after previously being scrapped, Cllr Harrison said it is something they “haven’t even talked about” and it is “not a priority”.

Elsewhere he stressed he is “very confident” in the Reform UK group, adding they have a “real mix of people” with different experiences and backgrounds and “a shared focus on delivering for residents” and “making Hartlepool a better place”.

He added: “They’ve all come on board with the idea that they want to put Hartlepool first.

“We’ve got to prove ourselves and the way to do that is to be blatantly honest with the residents and the people of Hartlepool.”

On his own journey into politics, Cllr Harrison said he thought the Reform “movement” had “good ideologies” and that it could “take Hartlepool forward”.

He added: “I never thought myself much of a political person to start off with.”

Cllr Harrison also recognised Reform lead with only a minority administration and said he is “happy to work with anybody who will constructively have conversations for the benefit of Hartlepool”.

He stressed he is “very keen” to collaborate with Hartlepool Development Corporation to improve the town and he is also prepared to work with Hartlepool’s Labour MP Jonathan Brash to deliver for the borough.

He continued: “Where there is an opportunity to work together to improve things for the residents of Hartlepool, I’m keen to take that opportunity.”