THE leader of a North-East council has outlined his hopes for his town following the recent elections.

Cllr Christopher Akers-Belcher, whose Hartlepool Labour Party gained three seats in the elections earlier this month, said most of the new council's key cabinet positions will be agreed at the authority's annual meeting on Thursday, May 28.

And he went on to outline how the town's fortunes could be improved.

He said the council's Hartlepool Vision blueprint to regenerate key areas of the town was yielding results and there was good news that the National Museum of the Royal Navy has committed to creating a museum for the north in Hartlepool.

He said: “Over the coming months we will see the start of exciting times ahead for the Church Street area (in the town centre). Work is soon to begin on the new Cleveland College of Art & Design and the £5.4m recently awarded to the council (from the Government) will help significantly to bring empty buildings back into use and promote a culture for young entrepreneurs. We will also be looking to change the infrastructure so that the Church Street area is better connected to the town centre and Marina.

Cllr Akers-Belcher said the authority would continue to take the opportunity to work with the NHS to bring back hospital services to the town.