From Thursday 10 December 2026, Hartlepool Borough Council will move to a Leader and Executive model of governance.
This model, sometimes known as a Leader and Cabinet system, will replace the current committee system. Under the new arrangements, decisions will be made by a Leader, elected by councillors, and an Executive made up of councillors appointed by the Leader.
Why governance arrangements are changing
In June 2025, the Government announced plans to abolish committee systems as a model of governance for local authorities.
As a result, Hartlepool Borough Council is required to move to a Leader and Executive model. This is the governance system used by most councils in England.
The model is designed to provide:
- clear leadership
- streamlined decision-making
- greater accountability
The Leader of the Council will appoint councillors to the Executive. These councillors will be responsible for key service areas and executive decisions and are often known as "Portfolio Holders".
How residents can continue to have their say
Residents will continue to be able to:
- contact their local councillors
- take part in public consultations
- attend public meetings where appropriate
- raise issues affecting their communities
Public engagement and transparency will remain an important part of how the Council operates.
The role of councillors
All councillors will continue to represent the residents in their wards, raise local issues, and advocate on behalf of their communities.
The role of elected councillors in supporting residents and shaping Council priorities will not change.
What is the Executive?
The Executive is a group of councillors appointed by the Leader to oversee specific service areas and areas of responsibility, such as:
- children's services
- housing
- finance
- regeneration
Executive Members work with Council officers to develop policies, make decisions and help deliver services.
Who is the Leader of the Council?
The Leader is elected by councillors at a meeting of the full Council and serves for a set term in line with the Council's Constitution.
The current Leader is Councillor Dave Bruce.
How scrutiny will work
The new arrangements create a clearer separation between councillors who make Executive decisions and those who examine them.
The Leader and Executive will make Executive decisions on behalf of the Council. Councillors who are not members of the Executive will review those decisions and hold decision-makers to account.
Overview and Scrutiny Committees will:
- examine Executive decisions and Council services
- question Executive Members and senior officers
- review policies and performance
- make recommendations to improve services and decision-making
Scrutiny helps ensure decisions are transparent, effective and in the best interests of residents. It provides challenge and accountability, but it does not take over the Executive's role in making decisions.
There will also be a process known as a "call-in". This allows certain Executive decisions to be reviewed before they are implemented, in line with the rules set out in the Council's Constitution.
Public Council meetings
Many Council meetings, including Full Council, the Executive and Scrutiny meetings, will continue to be held in public unless confidential matters are being discussed.
Agendas, reports and decisions will continue to be published on the Council's website.
Impact on Council services
Residents should not notice any disruption to services.
The changes relate to how decisions are made within the Council and will not affect the services residents receive.
Cost of the changes
The move to a Leader and Executive model is not expected to increase costs and will be delivered within existing resources.
Understanding who makes decisions
One of the benefits of the new model is greater clarity about who is responsible for decisions.
Residents will be able to see:
- which Executive Member is responsible for a service area
- who has taken specific decisions
Do other councils use this system?
Most local authorities in England operate either a Leader and Executive model or a directly elected mayoral model.
Hartlepool Borough Council is aligning its governance arrangements with the system used by the majority of councils.
Find out more
Further information about the new governance arrangements, including Executive responsibilities, meeting dates and decision-making processes, will be published on this website.