Labour’s shadow cabinet announced

Northumberland’s Labour Group leader has appointed his shadow cabinet.

Scott Dickinson said: “I am delighted to welcome members of the shadow cabinet, some of whom are experienced and long serving councillors and others who are new. They all bring a wealth of expertise to the shadow cabinet.

“I am also pleased we have a diverse cabinet of men and women of all ages. This is in stark contrast to the Conservative cabinet with only one woman. In fact there are only four women out of the 34 Conservative councillors.

“I believe our group will be more representative of people across the county in terms of age and gender.

“Deputy Labour Group leader Liz Simpson and I are looking forward to working with the shadow cabinet and ensuring we are an effective opposition at Northumberland County Council.”

Leader – Scott Dickinson

Telephone: 07825035814

Email: Scott.Dickinson@northumberland.gov.uk

Scott, who is the county councillor for Druridge Bay, has been deputy leader for the last two years working alongside Susan Dungworth. Scott has worked in the charitable sector for 15 years delivering initiatives supported by Children In Need, Greggs Foundation and the National Lottery. All of his work has been around supporting the most vulnerable in society.

He chaired the Federations of Schools in Northumberland leading change and improvements when schools needed support following Ofsted inspections. He has held various roles across the county council from business chair, chair of the health and wellbeing board and a number of other posts. He has also served on the North of Tyne Combined Authority. Scott has worked part time in the NHS for eight years in North Tyneside and helps run the family leisure businesses with his partner Anthony. He has vast experience serving on regeneration trusts, charity organisations and has a wealth of experience in the public, private and third sector world.

Deputy Leader – Liz Simpson

Telephone: 07904958498

Email: Elizabeth.Simpson@northumberland.gov.uk

Liz Simpson has a degree in business management from Northumbria University and a range of secretarial qualifications. From 1988 she worked at Wansbeck District Council, then she went on to work for Age UK Northumberland for 20 years and became the day services development manager; a role she loved.

Already a long standing member of the Labour Party she was elected county councillor for Newbiggin Central and East in May 2013.

Local Services – Brian Gallacher

Telephone: 07769304319

Email: Brian.Gallacher@northumberland.gov.uk

Brian Gallacher has represented the Haydon Ward in Ashington as a councillor at both town/parish and county council level. His drive has always been to improve and enhance the local areas where we live. He has two sons and three grandchildren and has lived in Ashington all his married life.

Adult Wellbeing – Mark Purvis

Telephone: 07739613256

Email: Mark.Purvis@northumberland.gov.uk

Mark Purvis was re-elected to the College ward in Ashington which he has represented for the last six years. He hopes to carry on with the work he has done so far and has plans to do much more to make the College ward a safer and better place to live for all residents. He works full time for the NHS in mental health and he is staff side chair and also branch secretary for his local branch of Unison. He is a season ticket holder for Newcastle United and more recently a season ticket holder for Newcastle Thunder rugby league team. He is also interested in reading non fiction historical books, walking and a bit of bird watching.

Business – Lynne Grimshaw

Telephone: 07769304301

Email: Lynne.Grimshaw@northumberland.gov.uk

Children’s Services – Julie Foster 

Telephone: 01670 825146

Email: Julied.Foster@northumberland.gov.uk

Julie Foster is in her 14^th year as a county councillor, representing the Stakeford which she considers to be a huge privilege. Over the years, she has listened to and worked with the residents, local authority officers, parish council and other stakeholders to see positive outcomes within the ward and will continue to do so going forwards. She says to be appointed as the shadow cabinet member for children and young people is an absolute honour and she looks forward to working with officers and colleagues, within this role, for the benefit of our younger residents In Northumberland.

Healthy Lives – Liz Dunn 

Telephone: 07779983685

Email: Liz.Dunn@northumberland.gov.uk

Liz has lived and worked in Lynemouth for over twenty years and is passionate about making our communities better places to live and grow up in. She firmly believes that health is a key determinant of our wellbeing, impacting on our quality of life more than any other factor, but also that the greatest influences on our health can come from outside health care.

The Healthy Lives portfolio covers a whole raft of areas that can contribute to bringing people together socially and to strengthening communities. Liz is looking forward to working with colleagues to ensure this council maximizes the wellbeing and health of all Northumberland residents.

Community Services – Alex Wallace

Telephone: 07890046711

Email: Alex.Wallace@northumberland.gov.uk

Alex Wallace has represented residents of Sleekburn Ward as a district or parish councillor for the past 30 years. He has considerable experience, having delivered two district local plans; served as chair of the parish council for eight years, bringing many improvements to residents in the environment, amenities, facilities and services and having served as a Blyth Harbour commissioner for 12 years.

Assistant Cabinet Position Cooperate Services – Mary Murphy

Telephone: 07890046703

Email: Mary.Murphy@northumberland.gov.uk

Mary is a new councillor who brings a wealth of experience from her personal and professional life to the role. She lives in Choppington with her husband and pets with her adult children and grandchildren living close by. Mary qualified as a social worker 30 years ago and has spent her career working in both the voluntary and statutory sectors. She has a particular interest in child protection, domestic violence services, the impact of poverty on families, and climate change.

Assistant Cabinet Position Adult Wellbeing – Kath Nisbet 

Telephone: 07762743579

Email: Kath.Nisbet@northumberland.gov.uk

Kath Nisbet was re-elected to represent Croft ward in Blyth. She says it is an honour to be able to carry out work she has already started and to continue to keep on working for her constituents and she pledges to continue to do her best for them.

She is married with two daughters, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Assistant Cabinet Position Children’s Services – Angie Scott

Telephone: 07890046702

Email: Angie.Scott@northumberland.gov.uk

Angie was elected in 2021 for the first time. She is passionate about investing in our young people. She is a nurse and lives in Prudhoe with her family,

Assistant Cabinet Position Community Services – Anna Watson 

Telephone: 07890046540

Email: Anna.Watson@northumberland.gov.uk

Anna Watson has lived in Blyth, Northumberland her whole life and is very passionate about the town and county. She is an occupational therapist for the NHS, having previously worked in district council and corporate business, bringing a diverse experience to the role. She is a mum of two boys and lives with her husband and their family dog.

Deputy Cabinet Healthy Lives, Members, Mental Health – Rebecca Wilczek

Telephone: 07890046697

Email: Rebecca.Wilczek@northumberland.gov.uk

Rebecca Wilczek was elected for the first time in 2021 to represent the Bedlington East ward as a Parish and County Councillor.

Rebecca has a Geography BSc degree and works in education. She is passionate about giving young people a healthy and happy start in life and opportunities to develop as they grow.

She is a “proud Northumbrian” and likes to explore her home county in her spare time with her family.