Council, committees and forums

Council, committees and forums - roles and function

View the Hartlepool Borough Council Political Structure

Full Council

‘Full Council’ refers to all elected Councillors meeting together in a formal setting. These meetings are open to the public and take place regularly. There are three types of council meetings:

Ordinary council meetings

Ordinary meetings bring together Councillors from all political parties to:

  • debate local and policy issues
  • ask questions of the Leader and Committee Chairs
  • receive reports from policy committees

Members of the public can also submit questions to be asked at these meetings.

Submit a question to Council

Extraordinary council meetings

These are held to discuss urgent or significant matters. Only the specific issue listed on the agenda can be discussed.

Annual Council meeting

The Annual Meeting of Council is held each year, usually in late May, dependent on the date of elections, this meeting:

  • elects the Ceremonial Mayor and Deputy Mayor
  • appoints members to council committees
  • nominates representatives to external organisations

Policy committees

Policy committees handle day-to-day decision-making and shape council policy. Each committee has a specific focus:

  • Finance and Corporate Affairs Committee
    Chaired by the Leader of the Council . Comprises 11 members and all policy committee chairs.

  • Adult services and public health Committee
    Remit currently under review. Comprises 7 members.

  • Children’s Services Committee
    Covers education, child protection, and youth services. The committee exercises the Council's functions as local education authority and provides oversight of the Children's Strategic Partnership Board for the purposes of the Children Act 2004. Comprises 7 members and a number of young people’s representatives.

  • Neighbourhoods and regulatory Services Committee
    Remit currently under review. Comprises 7 members.

  • Housing, growth and communities Committee
    Remit currently under review. Comprises 7 members.

Regulatory and other committees

Audit and Governance Committee

  • 10 members (not from the Finance and Corporate Affairs Committee)
  • chair and vice-Chair are Councillors not in the majority group
  • includes independent and parish representatives
  • oversees financial governance, risk, standards, and scrutiny of health and crime matters
  • includes a personnel sub-committee for workforce appeals

Licensing Committee

Handles licensing for:

  • taxis and private hire vehicles
  • alcohol and entertainment (Licensing Act 2003)
  • environmental health matters

Sub-committees manage most licensing decisions.

Planning Committee

Considers planning applications and conservation matters.
Public involvement is encouraged - applicants and objectors can speak at meetings.

The Planning Portal contains a wide variety of advice as well as details of applications submitted to the planning authority.