Ceremonial Mayor appointed for second term

She will be assisted in her civic duties during the 2025/26 municipal year by Deputy Ceremonial Mayor Councillor Quewone (Que) Bailey-Fleet.

Their appointments were confirmed at the Annual Council meeting held at Hartlepool Civic Centre on Tuesday 20th May.

Councillor Thompson, who has represented the Foggy Furze ward on Hartlepool Borough Council since September 2022, said: “It is a great honour to be serving our borough as Ceremonial Mayor for a second term and I look forward to working closely with Que over the next 12 months.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their fantastic support during my first year in office. I’m particularly grateful to those people who attended my range of civic events and helped me raise vital funds for two very deserving good causes – Alice House Hospice and Belle Vue Sports Community and Youth Centre.”

When first elected in May 2024, Councillor Bailey-Fleet who represents the Rossmere ward, made history by becoming one of Hartlepool Borough Council’s first ever BAME councillors.

She is currently a law student at Teesside University as well as being a successful entrepreneur and a dedicated social activist, having led social development programmes in Jamaica and New York. Having married a Hartlepool man, she has made the borough her adoptive home and together they are raising their young family here.

Councillor Bailey-Fleet said: “It is an honour and a privilege to serve as Deputy Ceremonial Mayor, and I am looking forward to representing our great borough with pride and dedication.”

Ceremonial Mayor Councillor Carole Thompson with Deputy Ceremonial Mayor Quewone (Que) Bailey-Fleet

Other key appointments agreed at Annual Council include Councillor Brenda Harrison as Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council. This will be her second year in the role. As well as being Leader, she also chairs the Finance and Corporate Affairs Committee and the Health and Wellbeing Board. Councillor Martin Scarborough is Deputy Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council.

Councillor Pamela Hargreaves is Chair of Economic Growth and Regeneration Committee, Councillor Gary Allen is Chair of Adult and Community Based Services Committee, Councillor Melanie Morley is Chair of Children’s Services Committee and Councillor Karen Oliver is Chair of Neighbourhood Services Committee. Councillor Moss Boddy is Chair of the Planning Committee and Councillor Martin Dunbar chairs Licensing Committee.