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Annual Meeting, County Council - Wednesday, 21st May, 2025 3.00 pm

May 21, 2025 View on council website
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Summary

The Northumberland County Council meeting on 21 May 2025 included the election of a chair and deputy chair, the establishment of committees, and a review of the council's constitution. Councillors were also scheduled to discuss the annual timetable of meetings, appointments to outside bodies, and a report from the Independent Remuneration Panel.

Election of Chair and Deputy Chair

The meeting was scheduled to begin with the election of a person to preside as chairman of the council for the ensuing year, followed by the election of a deputy chairman.

Establishment of Committees and Political Proportionality

Councillors were scheduled to discuss arrangements for the discharge of the council's non-executive functions through the appointment of committees. This included appointing members to those committees in accordance with the proportionality of the council, and agreeing to their terms of reference.

The report pack included a recommendation that the council:

Establishes the committees, agrees the size and numbers of members of the committees and appoints the chairs and vice chairs of committees as proposed and set out in Appendix A to the rear of this report;

The report pack also contained a recommendation to approve the provisions of Appendix C(a) and C(b), which sets out the proportional allocation of places on committees.

Following the May 2025 elections, the political makeup of the council was scheduled to be noted as:

  • Conservative: 26
  • Reform: 23
  • Labour: 8
  • Independent: 7
  • Liberal Democrat: 3
  • Green: 2

The Local Government and Housing Act 1989 requires the council to allocate seats on committees to political groups, giving effect, as far as practicable, to certain principles of proportionality.

Constitutional Review

A cross-party group was scheduled to be set up to consider the current constitutional arrangements, including committee structure. They were scheduled to make recommendations to the council on any proposed revisions, with a view to ensuring arrangements remain appropriate and relevant. The proposed review relates to all aspects of the constitution, including the committee structure and procedure rules.

Appointments to Outside Bodies

The council was scheduled to agree its nominations to outside bodies. A list of the bodies to which the council nominates members was included in the report pack. These include:

  • Environment Agency's Northumbria Regional Flood & Coastal Committee
  • FPS Local Pension Board
  • Kielder Water & Forest Park Development Trust
  • National Park Authority
  • North of England Reserve Forces & Cadets Association
  • North of England Combined Authority - Cabinet
  • North East Combined Authority - Overview & Scrutiny Committee
  • North East Combined Authority - Audit & Standards Committee
  • North Pennines National Landscape
  • Northumberland Coast AONB (National Landscape) Partnership
  • Northumberland Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority
  • Northumbria Police and Crime Panel
  • NTC Touring Theatre Company
  • Pupil Referral Unit Management Committee
  • Rural Services Network
  • Tyne & Wear Pension Fund Pensions Committee

Timetable of Meetings for 2025-26

The council was scheduled to approve the annual timetable of meetings for the 2025-26 municipal year. It was proposed that meetings of full council between October and March would begin at 2pm, while meetings between April and September would remain at 3pm. Non-decision-making committees and working groups would agree their own timetable of meetings.

Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel

Members were scheduled to be updated on the current position regarding the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel1. It was recommended that current levels of allowances are retained pending review by the cross-party Constitutional Review Group.

Returning Officer's Report

The returning officer was scheduled to submit the return of the persons elected as councillors on 1 May 2025. The report pack included a list of councillors elected, their place of residence, and their description. Daniel Johnson Burn was not on the list.


  1. An Independent Remuneration Panel is a group of people who are independent of the council and who make recommendations about the allowances that councillors should receive. 

Attendees

Profile image for CouncillorCaroline Susan Ball
Councillor Caroline Susan Ball  Labour •  Ashington Central
Profile image for CouncillorDavid Lee Bawn
Councillor David Lee Bawn  Conservative •  Morpeth North
Profile image for CouncillorJohn Ace Beynon
Councillor John Ace Beynon  Conservative •  Morpeth Stobhill
Profile image for Councillor Les Bowman
Councillor Les Bowman  Labour •  Holywell
Profile image for CouncillorSteven Christopher Bridgett
Councillor Steven Christopher Bridgett  Non Aligned •  Rothbury
Profile image for CouncillorDaniel James Carr
Councillor Daniel James Carr  Conservative •  South Blyth
Profile image for CouncillorGordon Castle
Councillor Gordon Castle  Conservative •  Alnwick Castle
Profile image for Councillor Trevor Cessford
Councillor Trevor Cessford  Conservative •  Hexham North
Profile image for Councillor Eve Louise Chicken
Councillor Eve Louise Chicken  Conservative •  Seghill with Seaton Delaval
Profile image for CouncillorPatricia Anne Mary Dale
Councillor Patricia Anne Mary Dale  Independent Group •  Stocksfield and Bywell
Profile image for CouncillorWayne Daley
Councillor Wayne Daley  Conservative •  Cramlington North
Profile image for CouncillorLyle Robert Darwin
Councillor Lyle Robert Darwin  Conservative •  Ponteland East with Stannington
Profile image for CouncillorScott James Dickinson
Councillor Scott James Dickinson  Labour •  Druridge Bay
Profile image for CouncillorRichard Robert Dodd
Councillor Richard Robert Dodd  Conservative •  Ponteland North
Profile image for CouncillorElizabeth Dunn
Councillor Elizabeth Dunn  Labour •  Lynemouth
Profile image for CouncillorPaul Devadoss Ezhilchelvan
Councillor Paul Devadoss Ezhilchelvan  Conservative •  Cramlington South East
Profile image for CouncillorSuzanne Holly Fairless-Aitken
Councillor Suzanne Holly Fairless-Aitken  Liberal Democrats •  Hexham East
Profile image for CouncillorGeorgina Emma Rowley Hill
Councillor Georgina Emma Rowley Hill  Independent Group •  Berwick East
Profile image for Councillor Colin William Horncastle
Councillor Colin William Horncastle  Conservative •  South Tynedale
Profile image for CouncillorIsabel Hunter
Councillor Isabel Hunter  Liberal Democrats •  Berwick West with Ord
Profile image for CouncillorVeronica Jones
Councillor Veronica Jones  Conservative •  Ponteland West
Profile image for CouncillorDerek Kennedy
Councillor Derek Kennedy  Independent Group •  Hexham West
Profile image for Councillor Scott Lee
Councillor Scott Lee  Independent Group •  Cramlington East & Double Row
Profile image for Councillor Mark George Mather
Councillor Mark George Mather  Conservative •  Wooler
Profile image for Councillor Nicholas Oliver
Councillor Nicholas Oliver  Conservative •  Corbridge
Profile image for Councillor Wendy Pattison
Councillor Wendy Pattison  Conservative •  Longhoughton
Profile image for Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson
Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson  Conservative •  Bamburgh
Profile image for Councillor John Robert Riddle
Councillor John Robert Riddle  Conservative •  Bellingham
Profile image for CouncillorMalcolm Robinson
Councillor Malcolm Robinson  Independent Group •  Bedlington West
Profile image for Councillor Hugh Glen Howard Sanderson
Councillor Hugh Glen Howard Sanderson  Conservative •  Longhorsley
Profile image for CouncillorAngie Scott
Councillor Angie Scott  Labour •  Prudhoe West & Mickley
Profile image for Councillor Alan Sharp
Councillor Alan Sharp  Liberal Democrats •  Haydon & Hadrian
Profile image for CouncillorAlan Smith
Councillor Alan Smith  Conservative •  Cramlington Eastfield
Profile image for Councillor Gordon Stewart
Councillor Gordon Stewart  Conservative •  Prudhoe South
Profile image for CouncillorMartin Philip Swinbank
Councillor Martin Philip Swinbank  Green Party •  Alnwick Hotspur
Profile image for CouncillorMark David Swinburn
Councillor Mark David Swinburn  Conservative •  Cramlington Village
Profile image for CouncillorChristine Anne Taylor
Councillor Christine Anne Taylor  Independent Group •  Bedlington Central
Profile image for CouncillorTrevor Norman Thorne
Councillor Trevor Norman Thorne  Conservative •  Shilbottle
Profile image for Councillor Richard Watson Wearmouth
Councillor Richard Watson Wearmouth  Conservative •  Morpeth Kirkhill
Profile image for CouncillorJohn Victor Allen
Councillor John Victor Allen  Reform UK •  Hirst
Profile image for CouncillorScott Amery
Councillor Scott Amery  Reform UK •  Bothal
Profile image for CouncillorBen Audsley
Councillor Ben Audsley  Reform UK •  Newbiggin-by-the-Sea
Profile image for CouncillorTrevor Michael Austin
Councillor Trevor Michael Austin  Reform UK •  Bedlington East
Profile image for CouncillorAntonia Azocar-Nevin
Councillor Antonia Azocar-Nevin  Green Party •  Humshaugh
Profile image for CouncillorRick Baker
Councillor Rick Baker  Reform UK •  Cowpen
Neil Bradley
Profile image for CouncillorNicole Brooke
Councillor Nicole Brooke  Reform UK •  Berwick North
Profile image for CouncillorPauline Davidson
Councillor Pauline Davidson  Reform UK •  Amble West with Warkworth
Lynsey Denyer
Profile image for CouncillorEd Dungait
Councillor Ed Dungait  Conservative •  Longhirst
Profile image for CouncillorBarry Elliott
Councillor Barry Elliott  Reform UK •  Newsham
Profile image for CouncillorDavid Gary FitzGerald
Councillor David Gary FitzGerald  Reform UK •  Choppington & Hepscott
Profile image for CouncillorStephen Charles Flower
Councillor Stephen Charles Flower  Reform UK •  Hartley
Stephen Gerrard
Profile image for CouncillorKarl Andrew Green
Councillor Karl Andrew Green  Reform UK •  Seaton with Spital
Profile image for CouncillorMichaela Jane Horncastle
Councillor Michaela Jane Horncastle  Conservative •  Ponteland South with Heddon
Profile image for CouncillorArty Hume
Councillor Arty Hume  Reform UK •  Amble
Profile image for CouncillorMartin Jackson
Councillor Martin Jackson  Reform UK •  Stakeford
Profile image for CouncillorDavid Johnson
Councillor David Johnson  Reform UK •  Isabella
Audrey Kingham
Profile image for CouncillorPatrick Henry Lambert
Councillor Patrick Henry Lambert  Reform UK •  Norham and Islandshires
Neil Masson
Profile image for CouncillorRachel Jane Mathieson
Councillor Rachel Jane Mathieson  Labour •  Haltwhistle
Profile image for CouncillorMark Morris
Councillor Mark Morris  Conservative •  Cramlington North West
Simon Neilson
Profile image for CouncillorDenise Nicholson
Councillor Denise Nicholson  Reform UK •  Bebside & Kitty Brewster
Profile image for CouncillorLawrence O'Donnell
Councillor Lawrence O'Donnell  Labour •  Prudhoe North & Wylam
Gill O'Neill
Profile image for CouncillorVicky Oakley
Councillor Vicky Oakley  Labour •  Pegswood
Helen Paterson
Profile image for CouncillorMark Peart
Councillor Mark Peart  Reform UK •  Croft
Profile image for CouncillorSteven Roberts
Councillor Steven Roberts  Reform UK •  College & North Seaton
Profile image for CouncillorNatalie Rolls
Councillor Natalie Rolls  Reform UK •  Wensleydale
Profile image for CouncillorSonia Simm
Councillor Sonia Simm  Reform UK •  Haydon
Profile image for CouncillorRoger Gordon Spriddell
Councillor Roger Gordon Spriddell  Reform UK •  Sleekburn
Profile image for CouncillorDavid Swinhoe
Councillor David Swinhoe  Reform UK •  Plessey
Jan Willis
Philip Hunter
Lynsey McVay
Michelle Rose
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