Ceremonial Mayor - general information

Councillor Sue Little has been formally invested as the Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool, following a special ceremony held at the Civic Centre.

About the Mayor

Councillor Little has proudly served the community as a Seaton Ward Councillor since 2018. Born and raised in Hartlepool, she grew up in Seaton Carew and has longstanding ties to the town and its people.

She was educated locally, attending St Teresa’s Primary School and English Martyrs School before studying hotel management at Kirby College in Middlesbrough.

Her early career included working as a care assistant for Cleveland County Council in Hartlepool. In 2002, she helped her husband, Paul, establish a mini-coach business, which they continue to run together today.

Councillor Little and her husband have been married for 34 years and have three sons and one granddaughter. During her term in office, Paul will support her in the role of Mayor’s Consort.

Community and interests

Outside of her civic duties, Councillor Little enjoys crafting and walking. She is passionate about helping others and describes her role as a councillor as “the best job.”

Mayor’s charities

For her year in office, Councillor Little has chosen to support two local charities:

Hartlepool Baby Bank – selected in honour of her mum, Joan McAlroy, who worked as a midwife in Hartlepool until the age of 72.
Beach Access North East – a charity she volunteers with, which provides free beach wheelchair loans to enable people of all ages and abilities to enjoy Seaton Carew and other North East beaches.

A message from the Mayor

Councillor Little said:

“It’s a great honour and privilege to become the Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool and I am looking forward so much to getting out and about and meeting people.
Hartlepool is a wonderful place with a fantastic community spirit and I will be tremendously proud to represent the borough and all its residents.”