Newcastle’s council leader has shuffled his top team – and has brought back a familiar face who served in the city’s previous Labour administration.
Nick Kemp has confirmed changes to the city council’s cabinet after the local elections earlier this month. Newcastle’s ruling party saw its majority cut by three on May 4, with cabinet member Sylvia Copley being among the election night casualties.
Taking the spare seat at the authority’s top table is the returning Paula Maines, formerly Holland, who will take responsibility for services including parks, play areas, libraries and community safety. She was elected in the Kenton ward this year, having lost her previous Ouseburn seat in 2022, and previously held the cabinet’s education brief under Nick Forbes’ leadership.
Mr Forbes was replaced as council leader last year after he was dramatically deselected by party members, amid deep divisions within Newcastle’s Labour group that have not disappeared. Coun Kemp recently secured a second year in charge despite a leadership challenge from Ged Bell, who is a Kenton ward colleague of Coun Maines, which was dropped before it came to a vote.
He has said that the council’s priorities for the next year will be helping residents with the cost of living crisis, reducing the effects of poverty and tackling the climate emergency. Coun Kemp added: “The cabinet has achieved so much in its first year which I am very proud of. It is ready to make further progress in creating a city that is clean, green, and welcoming for all.
“We have always put residents at the heart of everything we have done and will continue to do so over the next year. We are all ambitious for our great city and we will work with dedication for our residents and businesses. We want to work with communities to shape our ambitions and make Newcastle a great place to live for everyone.”
The other Labour councillors sitting on the cabinet are:
- Karen Kilgour, who is deputy council leader and has responsibility for health and social care issues;
- Lesley Storey, who switches portfolios to take on education and children’s services;
- Paul Frew, who is responsible for finance and resources;
- Alex Hay, whose broad portfolio includes economic development, job creation, neighbourhood improvements, culture, and sport;
- Jane Byrne, who continues in her transport and environmental role; and
- Irim Ali, who deals with planning and housing as well as leading on equalities issues.
Coun Kemp added: “I am delighted to unveil my new cabinet and in particular welcome Paula Maines, a very experienced councillor, to the team. I and my other colleagues on cabinet look forward to working with her. I have named a cabinet structure that can deliver for the people of Newcastle and one I am proud to say has more women in than men.
“The cabinet has a laser focus on achieving its political priorities: tackling the cost of living, climate change and reducing the damaging effects of poverty to make Newcastle a great place to live.”
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