Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Colin Ferguson has been selected as the new Leader of Newcastle City Council.
Cllr Ferguson was named as leader at the Annual Meeting of Council on Wednesday (May 27) and will form a minority Liberal Democrat administration.
The May 7 local elections placed the council in no overall control. The Liberal Democrats won 25 seats, the most out of any party, but short of the 40 seats needed for a majority.
On Tuesday, prior to the Annual Meeting of Council, Cllr Ferguson and Green Party leader Cllr Nick Hartley signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The agreement stops short of a formal coalition but will see the two parties work collaboratively to ensure a stable administration is formed for the good of the city and the people of Newcastle.
Cllr Ferguson today (Wednesday) spoke of his honour at being named council leader and said he looks forward to working collaboratively with all councillors.
He said restoring the city’s parks to their former glory, accelerating house building, fixing broken neighbourhoods, increasing recycling rates, investing in new jobs and tackling inefficiencies are his focus.
The father-of-two, who is a ward councillor in Gosforth, said: “I am honoured to be selected as Leader of the Council and I am eager to get on with business. People will rightly expect us to work at pace to deliver tangible improvements, and that’s what we expect to do.
“I love Newcastle, I love the people, and I love everything our city stands for. I have made a life here in the city and it’s where my two children were born.
“During my time as a councillor, and when I have spoken to residents on the doorstep, it is clear that we have work to do to ensure people can remain proud of this city.
“I will be leading a minority administration, but I know members of all political colours want what’s best for this city and our residents.
“We will work collaboratively across the chamber, not just with the Green Party, and I am confident we can make a tangible difference to those who call Newcastle home.”
Cllr Ferguson was first elected to the council to represent the Goforth ward in May 2018, and was re-elected to the same ward in the May 2026 local elections.
He has served as the leader of the opposition since January 2023, and chaired a number of prominent committees during his time as a councillor, including Finance & Budget Scrutiny and Corporate Scrutiny.
Cllr Ferguson also chaired the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee. He will now sit on the North East MSA’s Cabinet.
Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Cllr Mark Mitchell was also named as Deputy Leader of the Council at the Annual Meeting.
Cllr Ferguson also confirmed the following members of his Cabinet, and their respective portfolio responsibilities:
- Cllr Colin Ferguson, Leader, Strategic Coordination, Devolution & Partnerships
Portfolio coordination, devolution, regional partnerships, and the strategic coordination of climate, transport, economic strategy and culture - Cllr Mark Mitchell, Deputy Leader: Finance and Resources
Finance, transformation, human resources and the property portfolio - Cllr Peter Lovatt, Neighbourhoods & Local Services
Neighbourhood services, crime and antisocial behaviour, and parks and green spaces - Cllr James Coles, Sustainable Housing & Green Investment
Housing, planning, decarbonisation, and carbon trading - Cllr Owen Burbidge, Inclusive Economy & Skills
Local jobs, business support, high street regeneration, licensing and regulatory, tourism, and active and public travel - Cllr Christine Morrissey, Children, Education & Families
Children's services, education, SEND, and early years skills development - Cllr Rob Austin, Culture, Communities & Youth Services
Youth provision, the voluntary sector, libraries, museums, galleries, culture, and local community centres - Cllr Wendy Taylor, Integrated Health & Adult Social Care
Adult social care, public health and health inequalities
Speaking on his Cabinet appointments, Cllr Ferguson said his colleagues stood ready to deliver for residents in the city.
He said: “We have an unshakeable commitment to the City and ambition for what Newcastle can achieve. That is reflected in members of our Cabinet, their passions, experience and priorities.
“Each and every member stands ready to work collaboratively across the council chamber to deliver for residents.
“These portfolios have been chosen to deliver on the priorities we laid out prior to the elections and the areas we believe are shared by elected members across the chamber. We can’t wait to get started.”
At the Annual Meeting of Council, the members and chairs of Council committees were confirmed. Across all committees, the responsibilities for leading key Council business are spread across political parties more than ever before, with the three largest groups all taking key responsibilities.
Green Party councillors will chair the four main scrutiny committees, with Reform UK councillors set to be named as vice-chairs. The chairs and vice-chairs of important non-executive committees will be shared on a cross-party basis for the first time in Newcastle.
Cllr Henry Gallagher, of the Liberal Democrats, was selected to continue as Lord Mayor, with Green Party councillor, Cllr Alistair Chisholm, selected as Deputy Lord Mayor and Sheriff.