Charter sets the seal on stronger partnership between Hartlepool’s Borough and Parish Councils

Published Thursday, 23rd March 2023

Hartlepool Borough Council and Hartlepool’s Parish Councils have taken an important step towards forging stronger links and working in closer partnership for the good of all.

The Hartlepool Parish Liaison Group, which comprises the Chairs of the six Parish Councils – Dalton Piercy, Elwick, Greatham, Hart, Headland and Wynyard - and Hartlepool Borough Council Leader Councillor Shane Moore and the Borough Council’s Managing Director Denise McGuckin, have agreed a joint Charter setting out how they will work together for the benefit of local people.

The Charter is designed to support the parishes in retaining their distinctiveness, provides a framework that ensures opportunities are embraced and recognises the need to build the ability to withstand external forces.

It sets out Hartlepool Borough Council’s acknowledgement of the important role Parish Councils play as the first tier of local government and the Council’s belief that they can be very effective in influencing and shaping the decisions that affect their communities in the following ways:

  • Representing the views of their area and effectively influencing the development of policies and services;
  • Offering a means of devolving certain services and revitalising local communities; and
  • Providing valuable feedback on how Borough Council services are working in their area and how changes in policy are likely to affect the local community.

The Charter also places in writing Hartlepool Borough Council’s wish to:

  • Strengthen and maintain the relationship with Parish Councils and the local communities they serve in the spirit of partnership and consultation; and
  • Encourage the creation of new parishes where there is resident support.

In turn, the Parish Councils recognise the strategic role of Hartlepool Borough Council and that the Borough Council must achieve a fair distribution of services across the borough as a whole.

The Charter sets out the broad principles upon which the Borough Council and the Parish Councils will work together. All seven councils agree to develop and support a process for how the relationship will work in practice.

Parish Charter signing

Pictured at the signing of the Charter are (seated) Councillor Shane Moore and Dalton Piercy Parish Council Chair Lyn Noble. Also signing the Charter were (standing from second left) Parish Council Chairs Councillors David Woodward (Elwick), John Littlefair (Hart), James Willson (Headland) and Hartlepool Borough Council Managing Director Denise McGuckin. The Chairs of the Greatham and Wynyard Parish Councils – Councillors Brian Walker and Keith Malcolm – will also be signing the Charter but were unable to be present for the photograph. The Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool Councillor Brian Cowie (standing, far left) hosted the proceedings.

Councillor Shane Moore said: “This Charter is a real cause for celebration and I am very proud to put my name to it.

“We all share the same goal of wanting the best for the people of Hartlepool and through closer working and better understanding I am sure that together we can achieve so much more for local residents.”

Denise McGuckin, Hartlepool Borough Council Managing Director, added: “This is really good news for Hartlepool.

“Hartlepool’s Parish Councils play a very important role as the first tier of local government, representing and speaking for their communities and helping to shape policies and services. I look forward to working much more closely with them for everyone’s benefit.”

In a joint statement, the Chairs of the six Parish Councils – Councillor Lyn Noble (Dalton Piercy), Councillor David Woodward (Elwick), Councillor Brian Walker (Greatham), Councillor John Littlefair (Hart), Councillor James Willson (Headland) and Councillor Keith Malcolm (Wynyard) said:

“We are delighted to sign this Charter, which strengthens the relationship between the Parish Councils and the Borough Council and sets out a clear understanding of our roles.

“Much work has gone into reaching this point, helped very considerably by the reinstatement of the Hartlepool Parish Liaison Group, which provides a very positive regular forum for discussion.

“We look forward to working much more closely with the Borough Council in a spirit of partnership for the good of all our residents.”