A COALITION will remain in control of Hartlepool Council after no one party made major gains in the election.

Labour won seven out of 13 available seats on the council last night, a gain of one, and the Conservatives five, a gain of two, with the Tories increasing their share as the largest party from 12 to 15.

The remaining available seat was won by council leader and Hartlepool Independent Union candidate Shane Moore who was re-elected to serve Headland and Harbour ward for the next four years.

It means there is unlikely to be any major changes to the ruling coalition between the Conservatives, Independent Union and a number of Independent councillors.

In an election campaign plagued by Partygate from the Conservative Party, uncertainties over the cost of living crisis and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer embroiled in his own controversy, all eyes were on the election polls in the North East yesterday. 

Read more: Elections 2022: North East councils reveal results - recap

Despite the minor gains, many Labour councillors who gained re-election this time round can breath a sigh of relief - with many saying that Hartlepool have "put their faith back in Labour".

The Northern Echo: Mill House Leisure Centre in Hartlepool was the location for the vote count. Picture: PATRICK GOULDSBROUGH.Mill House Leisure Centre in Hartlepool was the location for the vote count. Picture: PATRICK GOULDSBROUGH.

Cllr Jonathan Brash, who represents the Burn Valley ward for the Labour party, believes that the political party getting a "kicking" at the polls a year ago was a "wake up call locally". 

He told The Northern Echo: "Door-to-door, people wanted to talk about the cost of living crisis and there's some in my ward that can only get warm with blankets. 

The Northern Echo: Cllr Jonathan Brash, who represents the Burn Valley ward for the Labour party, was re-elected. Picture: PATRICK GOULDSBROUGH.Cllr Jonathan Brash, who represents the Burn Valley ward for the Labour party, was re-elected. Picture: PATRICK GOULDSBROUGH.

"I'm happy people have put their faith in me once again. Labour got one hell of a kicking in the last election but it showed we can't be complacent. The one thing we need to make sure we do is to not make empty promises.

"In my ward, I'm looking to challenge provate landlords and other blights and I'm grateful I've got the opportunity to do so."

Here's the full election results of who won each ward in Hartlepool:

  • Burn Valley: Jonathan Brash - Labour (1183)
  • De Bruce: Rachel Creevy - Labour (723)
  • Fens and Greatham: Bob Buchan - Conservative (964)
  • Foggy Furze: Melanie Morley - Labour (631)
  • Hart: John Leedham - Conservative (637)
  • Headland and Harbour: Shane Moore - Independent (683)
  • Manor House: Pamela Hargreaves - Labour (612) 
  • Rossmere: Moss Boddy - Labour (503)
  • Rural West (two candidates) - Andrew Martin-Wells - Conservative (1188) and Scott Reeve - Conservative (1144)
  • Seaton: Gordon Cranney - Conservative (944) 
  • Throston: Amy Prince - Labour (765)
  • Victoria: Gary Allen - Labour - (789)

There was also cause for celebration for many Conservative councillors, including son-in-law and father-in-law, Andrew Martin-Wells and Scott Reeve, who won in the Rural West Ward.

The Northern Echo: Andrew Martin-Wells and his father-in-Law, Scott Reeve, were both elected in Hartlepool. Picture: PATRICK GOULDSBROUGH.Andrew Martin-Wells and his father-in-Law, Scott Reeve, were both elected in Hartlepool. Picture: PATRICK GOULDSBROUGH.

Following the elections, the pair told The Northern Echo that "Hartlepool still has a lot of time for Boris".

They said: "The people of Hartlepool have put their faith in us and it's much appreciated. 

"We weren't confident this morning but I'm glad that we've got a chance to represent the people of Rural West."

"Boris is still popular here and I think that shows. Going from door-to-door we saw no negativity at all - it was always positive for us."

The Northern Echo: The bus public gallery at the vote count. Picture: PATRICK GOULDSBROUGH.The bus public gallery at the vote count. Picture: PATRICK GOULDSBROUGH.

In a night of elation for many councillors - proceedings were marred somewhat after it was announced that Conservative councillor for the Seaton ward, Gordon Cranney, had appeared in court for assaulting a woman just seven days before polling day. 

Despite the incident, Mr Cranney, who didn't attend the election count, won his seat by almost 480 votes, with the returning officer of Hartlepool Council, Denise McGuckin, confirming that the Tory councillor could be re-elected.

The only independent councillor to win a seat in the Hartlepool election 2022 was previous leader of the council, Shane Moore, who told The Northern Echo that he was glad that the election was focusing on local issues and not the recent national political turmoil.

The Northern Echo: Independent councillor and previous leader of the council, Shane Moore, was re-elected. Picture: PATRICK GOULDSBROUGH.Independent councillor and previous leader of the council, Shane Moore, was re-elected. Picture: PATRICK GOULDSBROUGH.

He said: "It's nice to get back out and campaign again after a period of distancing. The fact that we're having to distance ourselves from the Conservatives and Labour is a double edged sword. Keir and Boris won't empty your bin, but it makes it a closer contest. 

"I'm looking forward to working on a range of projects with the council. Standing as an independent has helped this election, and allowed me to stay away from the political circus nationally."

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated Teesside Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054