The number of Councillors elected to Hartlepool Borough Council casts an embarrassing dark cloud over local government, amidst claims the number of convicted members of HBC's council revealed is merely the tip of the iceberg...
24th Jan 2025
Hartlepool Borough Council's long struggled to inspire confidence among its local residents with the local council said to have seen the bond of trust between local government & the people broken almost beyond repair. This sentiment is painfully evident in the dismally low voter turnout at local elections, highlighting issues that many claim will only be addressed by a disillusion of the councils services into a neighbouring local authority.
Back in 2023, a petition signed by nearly 4,000 frustrated locals controversially branded the local council as an authority with no public confidence coming just a year after the towns rural parish councils voted in a similar move. Now, its claimed Hartlepool Borough Council's facing yet another blow to its already tarnished reputation: with a civic call haunted by a rogues’ gallery of elected councillors with criminal convictions that's casting a shameful shadow over whats said to be one of Teessides most 'troubled' institutions.
The council’s tarnished image has not only shaken public confidence to rock bottom, but has visibly hindered efforts to regenerate the town and attract business investment to rejuvenate the towns ailing local economy.
Here’s a closer look at some of the councillors whose criminal pasts have contributed to this unfortunate situation:
1. Shane Moore – Independent, Headland & Harbour Ward
Shane Moore, once a member of the Conservatives, UKIP, and the Brexit Party, he now sits as an Independent councillor representing the towns Headland Ward.
However, Moore’s political career began with controversy from the very start, as he was elected to Hartlepool Borough Council despite having not one, but two convictions for driving whilst under the influence of alcohol.
In 2017, Moore pleaded not guilty but was ultimately convicted and handed a 24-month driving ban and ordered to pay £705 in costs when evidence emerged that he'd blew a reading of 105 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml - three times the 35 microgramme limit.
Reportedly His second Drink Driving Offence, Moore was staring down the barrel of a possible prison term which his legal team successfully managed to avoid, allowing the town councillor to continue his political career. Perhaps even more controversially, Moore later became both the council leader and Hartlepool’s ceremonial mayor—a decision that sparked outrage among many residents.
Now nearing the end of his term, Shane Moore has reportedly decided not to seek re-election in 2026, marking the end of a tumultuous decade in local politics.
2. Gordon Cranney – Independent, Seaton Ward
Councillor Gordon Cranney has become one of the most divisive figures in Hartlepool politics, perhaps even more than his family member the Former Labour Councillor Kevin Cranney recieved.
Convicted of assault by beating at Teesside Magistrates’ Court back in 2022, Cranney initially kept his criminal record hidden from his Conservative colleagues during his re-, election campaign. However, when the truth emerged, he was swiftly suspended from the party.
Despite widespread condemnation, his eventual censure from the local council & even banned from accessing the council civic building & the use of any of the councils IT services, Cllr Gordon Cranney refused to step down, opting instead to serve out his term until 2026. His decision was seen by many as a defiant disregard for public opinion and ethical standards, however his supporters applauded his move, claiming the incident come at a time the councillor was suffering health issues.
3. Ben Clayton – Labour, Manor House Ward
Labour Councillor Ben Clayton found himself in the spotlight in 2023 after being convicted of a speeding offence in Hartlepool whilst driving his Mercedes-Benz.
Clayton expressed “immense regret” over the incident, but faced sharp criticism for the Labour Party’s apparent 'double standards', after it emerged just a year before, Labour publicly criticised another town councillor for failing to stand down because of his Criminal Conviction for assault...
Whilst Labour condemned councillors’ such as Gordon Cranney for his 'misconduct', Cllr Clayton escaped any disciplinary action from his own party.
Dubbed “Councillor Speedy” by critics, Clayton was lumped with three penalty points on his licence and ordered to pay a £100 fine, a £40 victim surcharge, and £200 in prosecution costs.
4. Steve Wallace – Independent, Throston Ward
Steve Wallace’s return to local politics has been shrouded in scandal since his return to public life after formally standing down as a town councillor over a decade ago.
A former Labour councillor and personal assistant to Hartlepool’s then-MP Peter Mandelson, Wallace was elected to represent the towns Throston Ward back in 2023.
Initially a member of the Labour Party, he then resigned his membership of the party just months into his term, citing internal conflicts.
The real reason, however, was far more serious, with Wallace then facing allegations that he'd sexually assaulted another Labour councillor, however by January 2024, the charge was reduced to assault by beating, for which he was fined and ordered to pay costs at York Magistrates’ Court—a venue change aimed at ensuring a fair trial away from Teesside.
Now, with his political career said to be 'in ruins', Sources told HBC Exposed this week that Wallace is said to be 'considering resigning', which would trigger a by-election in the ward & could lead to Reform UK seeing its first ever councillor elected.
A Troubled Council, & A Troubled Future....
Hartlepool Borough Council’s reputation has undoubtedly taken a battering, with councillors’ criminal histories said to have overshadowed the town’s progress for many years. This embarrassing track record has visibly damaged public trust and raised serious questions about the standards to which local representatives are held, with HBC Exposed's previous efforts to have Hartlepool Borough Council disclose the criminal pasts of several other councillors being stonewalled at almost every possible opportunity, with sources telling us that the four councillors already highlighted in this report are merely the tip of the iceberg, & that upcoming legislation which is being mulled by the government could lead to a revelation that would shock locals to the core if it was to be disclosed, however, for now remains well under wraps.
As Hartlepool struggles to rebuild its economy and attract investment, these scandals only make the task even harder. If there’s one takeaway from this rogues’ gallery, it’s that Hartlepool’s residents clearly deserve better. Accountability and integrity should be non-negotiable for those elected to serve the public—and it’s high time voters demand it.
What do you think ?
Should elected councillors & candidates be forced to disclose criminal convictions before an election ?
YES
NO