Controversy Surrounds Council Officer’s Past Endorsement of a Political Candidate ...

Hartlepool Borough Councils Revenues Manager Michael Lavelle’s Role in Endorsing a County Durham Labour Party Candidate in 2017 Sparks New Questions over election impartiality at the Troubled Hartlepool Council, after claims the council tax officer breached the rules regarding politically sensitive roles in his bid to back a fellow collegue for election....

23rd August 2024

(Author: HBC Exposed)

In a turn of events that’s ignited discussions about local government political impartiality and public trust, revelations have begun to surface about a Hartlepool Council Tax officers past involvement in the endorsement of a political candidate some seven years ago which, accordign to a source, had it come to the attention of authorities sooner, would have sparked a major investigation. .

Michael Lavelle, a council tax officer working for Hartlepool Borough Council, is reported to have played a controversial role in the 2017 local elections for County Durham in his home village of Coxhoe, a village which comes under the authority of Durham County Council. .

Lavelle, who’s employed by Hartlepool Borough Council & was in 2017 working as a revenues officer is facing calls for his affiliate links to the Left wing extremist Labour Party to be investigated, following concerns he actively endorsed a political candidate at the time he was working in a 'politically sensitive role' for another local council.

Mr Lavelle & Mr Dunn both are directors of a leisure Cente in Coxhoe Co Durham which was facing closure by Durham Council, .indicatign potentially why Mr Lavelle wanted leverage with DCC

It comes following allegations that Mr Lavelle acted as the election proposer to publicly Endorse Mr John Dunn, a once prominent Labour Party figure & director of Mr Lavelle’s sideline organization Future Leisure Coxhoe, a fitness gym based in the semi-rural village of County Durham once formally owned by Durham County Council, raising questions about the Mr Lavelle's intersection of public service and political activity.

Michael Lavelle, who still works within Hartlepool Borough Council’s Council Tax department as a revenues manager, was said to have been a key figure in the successful election campaign of Mr John Dunn.

Dunn, a Labour Party candidate, was successfully elected to Durham County Council as a councillor primarily through Mr. Lavelle’s endorsement, an act that's recently come under scrutiny, with Mr. Dunn again pitching for re-election in the County Durham ward in 2024, this time as a so called (Independent Labour) candidate, of which he was unsuccessful.

Mr Lavelle DID NOT formally endorse Mr Dunns election campiagn in his most lates election bid.

The endorsement, made public this week, following a tip-off from another council employee has prompted concerns about the propriety of Mr. Lavelle’s involvement in political campaigning while holding a role in a politically sensitive department.

Following Investigations into Mr. Lavelle’s political links, its been established that his wife ‘Wendy Lavelle’ is a current serving councilor for Coxhoe Parish Council. A role she’s been elected in a number of times.

In addition to her role as a Parish Councillor, Mrs Lavelles declaration of interests disclosed that shje was also employed by Durham County Council, as well as Mr Lavelle working for nearby Hartlepool Borough Council, roles which bring in the duo a considerable income,.

Not Illegal, but certainly 'immoral'.....

Lavelle’s actions, 'though technically legal'. according to a legal representitive we spoke to, have raised considerable questions about the potential conflict of interest and the perception of impartiality within Hartlepool Borough Council.

Critics argue that as a council officer, Mr. Lavelle should have maintained a clear separation between his professional duties and his political activities in order to uphold the professional integrity of his role.

Mr Dunn, an established member of the Labour Party, was elected to Durham Council in 2017 primarily with Mr Lavelle’s support, this has led to renewed scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding his election.

However, Mr Lavelle & Mr. Dunn’s business activities being joint directors of a Leisure Centre formelly operated by Durham County Council has failed to quell fears from some in the local community that council officers & political members are becoming ‘too closely’ aligned & that council officers must keep out of local politics or resign their posts....

The controversy has brought attention to broader issues regarding political activity & endorsement of candidates by council employees. While there are guidelines aimed at preventing potential conflicts of interest, the involvement of a council officer publicly endorsing a political candidate raises important questions about how these rules are being applied and monitored.

This situation has also reignited a debate about the need for clearer guidelines and more stringent oversight to prevent potential conflicts of interest in local government. As the council undertakes a review of its practices, residents and stakeholders are watching closely to see how the situation unfolds.