Leader tweaks top team
NEWCASTLE Council leader Nick Forbes has unveiled a “united” new top team – after one of his cabinet members resigned and another was sacked.
Nick Kemp quit the council’s Labour cabinet on Sunday, claiming he was being undermined by “constant sniping” and “personal animosities”, before fellow Byker councillor Veronica Dunn was then axed from her post.
A reshuffle to replace the duo has now been confirmed, bringing two backbench
John-Paul Stephenson
councillors into the cabinet. Irim Ali will take the council’s neighbourhoods and public health portfolio, with current cabinet member John-Paul Stephenson shifted across to take Coun Kemp’s environmental and regulatory services job.
Coun Ali, who represents Wingrove ward, becomes the cabinet’s only BAME member.
Ouseburn councillor Paula Holland replaces Coun Dunn as cabinet member for education and skills.
Coun Forbes said: “I am delighted to welcome Irim and Paula to the cabinet. They will bring fresh eyes and new
energy to the team at what is a critical time for our city.
“Paula is a very experienced councillor who has played a key role on our scrutiny committee and Irim is a passionate councillor with strong relationships with our voluntary and community sector.
“I’d like to thank Nick Kemp and Veronica Dunn for their service and wish them both well for the future.
“My cabinet is united and focused on the challenge ahead as the city emerges from the biggest crisis in living memory. The pandemic has had devastating social and economic consequences.
Our recovery must be inclusive, tackle inequalities and have low carbon at its heart.
“We will work together as a team with council staff and partners across the city and wider region to protect our most vulnerable citizens, support the safe return of children to school and businesses from all sectors to trade in a Covidsecure way as lockdown is eased.
“I will continue to fight for a fairer deal from government...and to ensure we have robust plans in place to deal with any second outbreak.”