The North East’s new leadership put on a united front this week, a month on from the seismic shock to the political landscape delivered by Reform UK.
Tuesday marked the first public meeting of the region’s mayor and council leaders since Reform seized control of Durham County Council at May’s local elections as Labour’s support in traditional red heartland collapsed.
That victory also guaranteed Nigel Farage’s party a seat on the North East Combined Authority (NECA), a year on from Labour mayor Kim McGuinness’ election and the launch of a multi-billion pound devolution deal that was finally agreed after years of division.
But there were no fireworks as the NECA cabinet, the decision-making body comprised of the mayor and one cllr from each of the seven council areas she represents, met at The Story museum in Durham on Tuesday afternoon.
As has largely been the case for the past 12 months, the 90-minute meeting was a cordial affair – aside for some gentle, football-related ribbing between rival supporters ahead of the return of the Tyne-Wear derby next season.
The mood around NECA since the devolution deal was announced has been of a need for leaders from different parties to put aside political differences for the good of the wider region – in public, at least.
And there was no sign of Reform rocking that boat on Tuesday.
The agenda for Tuesday’s meeting included NECA’s annual report on equality and inclusion as well as the signing off of an £8.5 million grant to a Newcastle College centre training youngsters for work in renewable energy, both of which have been hot topics for Reform.
On a trip to Newton Aycliffe on the day of the local election results, Mr Farage had warned that Durham council workers tasked with diversity or climate change programmes should be “seeking alternative careers very, very quickly”.
But both reports passed without any dissent from Cllr Husband on Tuesday afternoon.
In a reshuffled NECA cabinet, he has been appointed as the ‘member for A North East We Are Proud To Call Home’ – a role that will oversee housing issues and the combined authority’s Rural Growth Fund.
He called the meeting a “positive first cabinet experience” as he presented his first report, setting the stage for £17.6 million of investment into housing developments on troublesome brownfield sites in 2025/26.
Cllr Husband added afterwards: “The North East is a place people are proud to live in and call home. Delivering safe, secure, and affordable housing is fundamental to that. From improving social housing to unlocking rural growth, we’ll ensure every community feels the impact of real change. We will build homes that meet local needs, support inclusive growth, and help create thriving, connected places for current and future generations.”
The full makeup of Ms McGuinness new cabinet is:
- North Tyneside mayor Karen Clark (Labour), who will be responsible for energy, net zero, and the environment;
- Sunderland Council leader Michael Mordey (Labour), who has the finance and investment portfolio;
- Gateshead Council leader Martin Gannon (Labour), cabinet member for transport;
- South Tyneside Council leader Tracey Dixon (Labour), who will lead on issues including employment, child poverty, and high streets;
- Newcastle City Council leader Karen Kilgour (Labour), whose role includes supporting culture and creative industries and growing the economy;
- Northumberland County Council leader Glen Sanderson (Conservative), who will be in charge of inward investment and international trade; and
- Durham County Council leader Andrew Husband, the cabinet member responsible for housing and rural growth.
Ms McGuinness said: “It’s my pleasure to announce these new cabinet roles.
“We’ve come a long way in just a year – gaining £1.85bn for transport to send the Metro to Washington and repair the Tyne Bridge, setting up the country’s first Child Poverty Reduction Unit, and approving our Investment Fund, Investment Zone and Trailblazer programmes which will create nearly 3,000 jobs and back almost 650 businesses to grow in the region.
“But this is just the start. Together, we are working hard to make real improvements to the North East.”
