Produced by Hartlepool Council and wholly funded from advertising Summer 2015 New Positive times lie ahead chief GILL Alexander Gill Alexander WITH the start of a new municipal year under has replaced Dave way following the recent local elections, Stubbs as the Hartlepool Council’s Leader, Councillor Council’s Chief Executive. Christopher Akers-Belcher, is confident that good Previously the Council’s Director of times lie ahead for the town. Child and Adult Services, Gill took up He said: “Over the last 12 the top post at the beginning of June months I think the Council following the retirement of Dave who had served the Council for 44 years. has made good progress Gill said: “I am taking over as Chief against a background of Executive of a vibrant council with extremely tight financial ambition which performs very well constraints. overall. It is a council that punches well “We’ve managed to protect Work has started to transform the newly-named Vision Retail Park above its weight; it has a reputation Coun. Christopher the vast majority of frontline Akers-Belcher as a can-do council and works well in services and jobs, and despite partnership with other organisations.” severe cuts in Government new £3m workspace development for businesses.” “One of the main inspirations funding, we’ve managed to channel resources into a He added: “We will continue our campaign in applying for the post was the number of key areas to ensure Hartlepool continues with vigour to do everything possible to see the tremendous team of council officers to improve. return of hospital services to Hartlepool. We’ve already started the process with the Clinical and the many committed councillors “We have received significant support from the who work very hard for the benefit of business community for the Hartlepool Vision (the Commissioning Group to develop a Health Plan for Hartlepool which aims to give local people a the town.” Council’s radical new blueprint to regenerate key Sally Robinson has choice over where they access hospital services areas of the town) and we are delighted that the taken over from Gill as and expect the first piece of work to be completed National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) has Director of Child and by the autumn. committed to creating a museum for the North Adult Services. “People simply do not want to travel out of in Hartlepool. This is a massive boost with the Sally, who was born town for hospital services that could be provided potential to pull visitors in from far and wide. in Redcar, had been locally and we’ll continue to fight on behalf of “It’s also pleasing that we’ve been able to the Council’s Assistant residents and hold the hospital trust to account Sally Robinson repeat the free swims scheme and free parking Director (Children’s www.bigsummer.co.uk at every opportunity. leading up to Christmas. The summer free swims Services) since 2008. “We are also working hard to bring health and scheme (and free transport to and from Mill Her new role will see her take overall social care services closer together to improve House) is now permanent following the savings responsibility for the Council’s schools, levels of support and get the best use of ever- achieved from merging the Coroner’s service. We children’s services and adult social fully understand that many families are struggling shrinking resources. services. financially which is why we have allocated “I’ve said on many occasions, young people are There are loads money to the Foodbank and helped families hit our future, and we’ll continue to support schools by the cut in council tax support.” in every way we can to drive up standards and Election round-up ensure children get the best start in life. Councillor Akers-Belcher said he is optimistic HARTLEPOOL Council welcomes four “It’s our aim to ensure that by 2016 every school of ways for everyone about the town’s future. new councillors following the recent in Hartlepool is providing a good or excellent standard “Work recently commenced to transform the local elections. of education. newly-named Vision Retail Park in the Marina They are Sandra Belcher, Labour Despite a 40% reduction in Government grant to have fun this summer! and over the coming months we will see the start (Jesmond); Tricia Lawton, Labour funding over the last four years, the council has still of the rejuvenation of the Church Street area. (Victoria); Jim Lindridge, Labour (Fens managed to freeze council tax for that period and Work is soon to begin on the new Cleveland & Rossmere) and Sylvia Tempest, www.bigsummer.co.uk College of Art & Design and the £5.4m recently Councillor Akers-Belcher said he would be mindful Labour (Headland & Harbour). Visit awarded to the Council will help significantly to to continue the freeze in 2016 but accepts that it’s The local elections saw Labour gain bring empty buildings back into use and promote a decision that has to be taken by all councillors. three seats whilst Putting Hartlepool a culture for young entrepreneurs. We will also He concluded: “Following the local elections, First lost two and Independents one. to find a full list of things be looking to change the infrastructure so that Hartlepool people have given me and my The make-up of the Council is now: the Church Street area is better connected to the colleagues a clear mandate to govern and we will Labour 22; Local Conservatives 3, town centre and Marina. continue to serve them to the very best of our Independents 3, Putting Hartlepool First to do, places to go and how “Job creation and support for local businesses ability. 3 and UKIP 2. “I’ll continue to work together with all councillors will continue to be a high priority in the ongoing In the Parliamentary Election Iain efforts to create wealth and investment. Queens and with support from the rich mix of talented and Wright (Labour) was re-elected as the to get money off at top dedicated officers, I am really looking forward to Visit the Meadow is the most successful Enterprise Zone in town’s MP. Big the Tees Valley and work is under way to create a the next 12 months.” See page 27 for details of all attractions across Summer website for Hartlepool councillors. a chance to win a family Cover Picture: A Feel Good in Hartlepool sailing taster session. See page 6 for more information. the North East. day out at an attraction Editorial: 01429 523510 Advertising: Lesley Palmer Associates | 01642 760700 | [email protected] of your choice. Design: Zeta Interactive | 01642 808888 | www.zetainteractive.com You can also read Hartbeat online at www.hartlepool.gov.uk or by scanning the QR code. Terms and competition rules apply. Follow Hartlepool Council on Facebook and Twitter: /hartlepoolcouncil @HpoolCouncil Hartbeat | P4 Museum is top in K I T C H E N S B A T H R O O M S BEDROOMS Figures show Hartlepool the Tees Valley is a tourism hot-spot THE Museum of Hartlepool welcomed 132,720 visitors in the year 2014/15, making it the most popular free QUALITY TOURIST trips to Hartlepool are in tourism related sectors - including admission local authority museum in the Tees Valley. OUR SPECIAL MENUS! boosting employment in the town. hotels, restaurants and recreation. It now regularly receives over 130,000 visitors a year 12pm to 2pm Tuesday to Saturday, THAT DOESN'T COST thE EARth Nearly 140 new jobs in tourism According to the STEAM figures, compared with an average of about 105,000 five years ago. were created in the town between Hartlepool received 3.2 million visitors • 2 courses for £10 • The boost in numbers is due to the popularity of the 2009 and 2013, according to the in 2013 and the tourism industry changing exhibition programme with people looking for an 5:30pm to 6:30pm Tuesday to Friday, latest figures. accounted for 2,021 jobs for local enjoyable and cost-effective day out. In the same period Hartlepool also people. • 2 courses for £12 • Mark Simmons, Hartlepool Council’s Museum Manager, enjoyed a £24m boost in tourism Hartlepool Council Leader Councillor And our newly introduced midweek special menu, from said: “Visitor figures started to rise in summer 2012 revenue. Figures from the Scarborough Christopher Akers-Belcher said: “I 6:30pm onwards on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, with our exhibition of teddy bears from the Victoria and Tourism Economic Activity Monitor am delighted people are viewing • 2 courses for just £15! • Albert Museum of Childhood and a strong programme of (STEAM) – which assesses the impact Hartlepool as the culturally rich town (a la carte also available) of tourism around the country - show that it is. interactive temporary exhibitions since then has helped to that tourism generated £142.9m in “The town has many great assets, keep the museum fresh for both regular and new visitors.” Hartlepool in 2013 – 21% more than including Hartlepool’s Maritime The museum’s recent exhibition, Voices of the in 2009. Experience and the marina, and I Bombardment, received an amazing 50,500 visitors during FULLY FITTED OR SUPPLY ONLY The increase in revenue generated believe the Hartlepool Vision is already its run, making it the most popular wintertime temporary the equivalent of 138 full-time jobs helping to regenerate the wider area.” exhibition since the museum opened in 1996. Open 10am till 4pm Tuesday to Sunday, serving a wide variety Pop along to our showroom for stunning Mark added: “Visitor numbers in December and January of hot drinks, as well as a selection of home made scones, ideas and a personal, great value service were up 20% as local people and schools came to find soups, quiches and cakes, in addition to a light lunch menu out more about the bombardment of the Hartlepools and especially to see the ceramic poppies from the Tower of Cafe is a welcome new London display that we used in the dedication ceremony for elcome to Peter Jackson For professional advice, great choice Various examples are laid out the new Bombardment memorial.” Carpets and Flooring within and value for money you can’t do from Amtico, Victoria and The Museum of Hartlepool is open every day from 10am W better than visit our store where you Camaro showing unique designs attraction at art gallery Michael O’Conner, Portrack Lane, to 5pm and entry is free.