Teesside Today Responds to December 9th Article: A Spotlight on Hartlepool Borough Council's Failings

Teesside Today's response to the article published by National Media PLC trading under the name "The Hartlepool Mail"....

10th December 2024

On December 9, 2024, a local newspaper published an article titled "Hartlepool Borough Council Boss Highlights Negative Social Media Posts as She Admits Staff Morale Isn't Great." 

Whilst articles like this tend often to precede the Council's making malicious claims regarding our volunteers to the local Two Tiered Police Force, we feel compelled to address the broader issue: the now very visible authoritarian & extremist culture within Hartlepool Borough Council (HBC) and its disdain for accountability.

Hartlepool Borough Council has a troubling history of targeting those who dare to shine a light on its questionable practices. From pressuring social media platforms to silence critical voices, to having police summon those who criticise Hartlepool Borough Council for interviews under caution, HBC’s actions resemble that of an extremist regime, rather than what they claim to be a democratic institution.

The individual pictured in the Hartlepool Mail's report continues to make baseless, vexatious & unfounded claims of "harassment" and "misinformation" against us. Yet, not one shred of evidence has been provided to substantiate those accusations. It’s clear their aim isnt to seek justice, but simply a move to stifle dissent.

Amidst the 90% drivel and political spin in the Hartlepool Mail's article, one glaring truth actually emerged: staff morale at HBC is at an all-time low. 

This revelation didn’t require investigative prowess from the Hartlepool Fail— whistleblowers within HBC have been telling us this for months. Employees are disillusioned by clearly dysfunctional & inept leadership that leaves frontline workers bearing the brunt of public dissatisfaction whilst those at the top collect eye-watering salaries.

Ms. McGukin, who enjoys a £174,000 annual salary courtesy of the struggling local tax payer, acknowledges her staff's 'unhappiness', yet consistently dodges the question as to the root cause: her own leadership failures and the toxic culture at HBC. 

It’s easy to pontificate from an ivory tower, but Hartlepool residents deserve leaders who take responsibility, not aloof bureaucrats who are clearly disconnected from reality.

This latest article appears to be a yet another thinly veiled attempt to discredit us & those who seek to criticise their local council in a democratic way. Yet, ironically, The Hartlepool Fails Article rather underscores the very impact our work at HBC Exposed is having. The Council's defensiveness proves our efforts to inform the public are hitting the mark.

So we will end this with just one final statement...

Ms. McGukin, public opinion is clearly not on your side.

It's time to take a hard look at your role within HBC and ask whether you're the Managing Director Hartlepool needs—or just another symptom of its many problems.

Hartlepool deserves better leadership, better accountability, and better governance.

Until that happens, we’ll continue to shine a light on the truth.

— Teesside Today