Questions Over Taxpayer-Funded Payments to Local Council Almost 300 Miles from Hartlepool....

The payments were found as part of a Teesside & Durham Post Investigation into Payments made by Hartlepool Borough Council.

22nd October 2025

In a revelation that has sparked widespread debate over local government spending, the Teesside & Durham Post recently uncovered a series of payments from Hartlepool Borough Council to Hampshire County Council, located almost 300 miles away from the town, raising questions about transparency, necessity, and the use of taxpayer funds.

The transactions, drawn from the council's very own publicly available expenditure sheets has highlighted what critics describe as some of the most puzzling financial decisions, especially given the vast geographical distance between the two councils—(some 289 miles to be exact), equivalent to a nearly five-hour drive from the North East town of Hartlepool to the southern county of Hampshire.

The story broke several months ago, when the Teesside & Durham Post analyzed Hartlepool Borough Councils quarterly expenditure reports, with the most recent expenditure sheets revealing Hartlepool Borough Council made an initial payment of £971 to Hampshire County Council, which was then followed by two larger sums of £60,000 and £65,000. These entries appeared on the council's most recent financial disclosures, with the total for this batch amounting to roughly £126,000. While the exact purposes of these specific tranches were not immediately detailed in the reports, they are said to align with broader patterns of spending categorised under residential care services.

This has led to speculation that the funds may relate to placements for vulnerable residents in specialised care facilities, though no official explanation has been provided for why such services were sought so far afield. Adding fuel to the fire, the investigation by the Teesside & Durham Post also uncovered dozens of historic payments from Hartlepool to Hampshire, stretching back over previous financial years. These earlier transactions, totaling an estimated £279,000 overall, are often listed vaguely on the council's expenditure sheets as "Third party PP PS Residential financial services other local authority."

The opaque terminology—where "PP PS" could potentially stand for "Private Provision Public Sector" or a similar administrative shorthand—has drawn criticism for lacking clarity, making it difficult for taxpayers to understand the value or rationale behind these outflows.

Hartlepool Borough Council, which serves a population of around 92,000 in one of the UK's more economically challenged regions, has faced ongoing public pressure to curb its expenditure in the wake of controversial Council Tax increases. The Local Council which in 2023, was declared an authority with no public confidence has repeatedly cited budget constraints, leading to council tax increases and service cuts in recent years, with critics arguing that diverting funds to a council over 280 miles away undermines local priorities, such as improving community services, education, or infrastructure in the Teesside area.

The distance factor amplifies the controversy when you take into account the distance aspect. Hartlepool, located in County Durham, is firmly rooted in the North East, while Hampshire lies on England's southern coast. Driving from Hartlepool to Hampshire's county town of Winchester covers about 285 miles, with public transport options taking even longer—often over 10 hours by train.

This geographical disconnect has prompted questions about whether closer alternatives in the North East or neighboring regions such as Darlington or Middlesbrough could have provided equivalent services at a lower cost, potentially saving on administrative overheads and transport. In response to the revelations, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request was submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council by a member of the public just days ago, seeking clarification on the £126,490 payment (which appears to encompass the recent tranches). The request demands details on the reasons for choosing Hampshire, the services provided, any procurement processes, and whether similar out-of-region placements are common.

As of October 22, 2025, Hartlepool Borough Council has acknowledged the query but has not yet provided a substantive response, with a deadline under FOI rules set for 20 working days. Supporters of the council's actions claim that such payments are not uncommon in the UK, particularly for specialised residential care where local options may be unavailable. For instance, if a resident requires 'unique' support—such as for complex disabilities or mental health needs—placements in distant facilities might be necessary. Hampshire County Council, known for its extensive social care network, could be fulfilling such a role. However, without transparent justifications, these explanations remain highly speculative. This incident also forms part of a broader spotlight being placed on Hartlepool Borough Councils finances in the wake of what many predict to be an upsurge in Reform UK tapping into the disgruntled local tax payer voter base, who are increasingly looking for answers over just where Hartlepool BC's money is being spent. Previous reports have highlighted issues like council tax fraud crackdowns and leaked emails exposing potential irregularities in fee structures, however many claim the issue of the councils financial woe's runs much deeper, highlighting payments such as those made to local councils some 300 miles from the town.

Payments made by Hartlepool Borough Council to other local councils such as Middlesbrough are also coming under the spotlight

Our ongoing investigations into quarterly spending have also spotlighted payments to neighboring councils, such as over £50,000 to Middlesbrough for a "Community Hubs Joint Arrangement," further fueling debates on regional fund allocation.

As the story develops, its claimed calls for an independent audit or greater disclosure are growing. Local opposition figures and taxpayer advocacy groups are urging Hartlepool Borough Council to address the concerns head-on, emphasising the need for accountability in an era of tight public budgets.

Whether these payments represent prudent resource-sharing or simply misplaced priorities remains to be seen, but the controversy underscores the importance of clear, accessible financial reporting in maintaining public trust.

Something that's apparently lacking in a town where Council taxes have never been so high & the public rightly asking, "where is all the money going" ?