The newly-installed Leader of Newcastle City Council has confirmed the makeup of her Cabinet, with two members joining the local authority’s administration for the first time.
Cllr Karen Kilgour, the city’s first ever female Leader, has announced that Blakelaw councillor Juna Sathian and Denton and Westerhope’s Dan Greenhough will take up cabinet positions on the city council.
Cllr Sathian will oversee climate and transport, while Cllr Greenhough will have responsibility for economy and skills.
There is also a return to Cabinet for Cllr Alex Hay, who represents the Kingston Park South and Newbiggin Hall ward, who has been confirmed as the new Deputy Leader of the Council, subject to formal approval.
As a result of those appointments, Blakelaw member Cllr Marion Williams vacates her portfolio overseeing transport and climate change.
That means the council’s administration is comprised of:
- Cllr Karen Kilgour, Leader of the Council
- Cllr Alex Hay, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services
- Cllr Paul Frew, Cabinet Member for Resources and Performance
- Cllr Paula Maines, Cabinet Member for Housing
- Cllr Adam Walker, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Prevention
- Cllr Lesley Storey, Cabinet Member for Children and Families
- Cllr Abdul Samad, Cabinet Member for Culture, Music and Arts
- Cllr Irim Ali, Cabinet Member for Communities
- Cllr Dan Greenhough, Cabinet Member for Economy, Jobs and Skills
- Cllr Juna Sathian, Climate and Transport
Cllr Kilgour said: “I’m really pleased to have my cabinet in place and I look forward to us all getting on with the job at hand to deliver the best possible services and outcomes for residents across Newcastle.
“Together, we will work closely with residents and council officers, as well as partners and other stakeholders across the city and the wider region, to deliver on our priorities of tackling inequalities, reaching net zero, and delivering good-quality homes, while ensuring we are providing the level of services that our communities expect and deserve from us.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to Marion Williams for all her hard work and achievements during her time on the Cabinet.
“Every member of cabinet brings their own unique experience and an incredible level of passion that unites us in our desire to put residents at the heart of everything we do, and I look forward to getting to work with them for the good of Newcastle.”
The appointment of cabinet members is overseen by the Leader of the Council, with the exception of the position of Deputy Leader which is governed by the local Labour group as the council’s ruling political party. The appointment of Cllr Hay as Deputy Leader is subject to the approval of full council, which next meets on Wednesday 6 November.
Find out more about the Leader and Cabinet and their responsibilities.