Hartlepool Borough Council Records Lowest Attendance at Overview & Scrutiny Committee Meetings Across Teesside

Hartlepool Civic Centre..

The attendance figures come as part of a wider report set to go before councillors of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee of the Tees Valley Combined Authority....

10th Sep 2025

The Tees Valley Combined Authority is set to reveal that Hartlepool Borough Council now has one of the lowest attendance rate for meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee amongst all local councils operating on Teesside for the 2024/25 municipal year.

The report, set to be presented to councillors at today’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting, highlights significant disparities in attendance across the region’s local councils, raising questions about engagement and accountability in local governance.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee plays a critical role in local government, holding decision-makers accountable, reviewing policies, and ensuring transparency in council operations. During the 2024/25 municipal year, its said that the committee met eight times, with an additional eight sub-committee meetings held. All meetings were quorate, meaning enough members were present to conduct official business, and each Teesside local council had at least one representative at every meeting. However, the overall attendance figures paint a concerning picture for Hartlepool.

Attendance Figures Across Teesside

The report provides a breakdown of attendance percentages for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings by local council:

• Stockton-On-Tees Borough Council: 95.83%

• Middlesbrough Council: 87.50%

• Darlington Borough Council: 83.33%

• Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council: 70.83%

• Hartlepool Borough Council: 62.50%

Hartlepool’s attendance rate of 62.50% is notably lower than its counterparts, with Stockton-On-Tees leading the region at an impressive 95.83%. This gap underscores a potential issue in Hartlepool’s commitment to scrutiny processes, which are essential for ensuring robust governance and public trust.

Low attendance at Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings could have far-reaching consequences. These meetings are a said to be one of the cornerstones of democratic oversight, providing councillors with the opportunity to challenge decisions, scrutinise budgets, and address community concerns. Critics claim that Whilst Hartlepool Borough Councils attendance rates are consistently low, it risks weakening the council’s ability to hold decision-makers accountable and may erode public confidence in local governance. While the report confirms that Hartlepool had at least one representative at each meeting, the overall low attendance rate suggests that fewer councillors in Hartlepool are engaging in this critical function compared to other Teesside councils. This could lead to missed opportunities for Hartlepool to influence regional policies or advocate effectively for its residents.

A Wake Up Call for Hartlepool Borough Council

As Hartlepool Borough Council lags behind its Teesside neighbours, the report serves as a wake-up call for councillors and residents alike. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the Tees Valley Combined Authority is not just a procedural formality—it’s a vital tool for ensuring that local government serves the public effectively. With Stockton-On-Tees setting the standard at 95.83% attendance, Hartlepool has a clear benchmark to aim for, with serious concerns Hartlepool Borough Council isn't fully engaged in the scrutiny process, advocating for their needs and more importantly, holding decision-makers to account.