Your Councillors

An overview of the cabinet of Northumberland County Council and details of how to contact your local councillor or attend a meeting. Northumberland County Council is made up of 67 elected councillors. Each councillor represents constituents within an area of Northumberland. They all meet as a full council responsible for setting the budget and the council's policy framework. Councillors also sit on a range of committees.

A review of the councillors, electoral divisions and division names in Northumberland was undertaken by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England in 2023. As a result of this, there will be 69 electoral divisions in Northumberland with effect from the May 2025 elections. You can view the Northumberland final recommendations here. View electoral division 2025 map.

Political Composition

The current political makeup of the council is:

Party	Male	Female	Total
Conservative	29	4	33
Labour	8	10	18
Independent Group	3	5	8
Liberal Democrat	2	2	4
Green Party	2	0
Non Aligned	1	1
Total	67

The Council’s Cabinet

The Cabinet is made up of elected councillors appointed by the Leader of the council, who each take responsibility for a portfolio. The current Cabinet members are:

Leader of Council - Cllr Glen Sanderson
Deputy Leader and Supporting Business and Opportunities - Cllr Richard Wearmouth
Corporate Services - Cllr Wojciech Ploszaj
Inspiring Young People- Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson
Caring for Adults - Cllr Wendy Pattison
Looking After our Communities- Cllr Gordon Stewart
Promoting Healthy Lives- Cllr Jeff Watson
Improving our Roads and Highways- Cllr John Riddle
Looking After our Environment- Cllr Colin Horncastle
Tackling Inequalities - Cllr Veronica Jones

Details of each portfolio:

Cabinet portfolios

Chair and Deputy Chair of the Council

Chair of the Council - Cllr John Beynon
Deputy Chair of the Council - Cllr Daniel Carr

Use the links below to find your local councillor:

Councillor
Councillor	Political party	Ward
Councillor Caroline Susan Ball c/o County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Work mobile: 07890046689 Work: caroline.ball01@northumberland.gov.uk	Labour	Ashington Central
Councillor David Lee Bawn 31 The Villas, St Marys Hospital, Stannington, Northumberland, NE61 6AT Home mobile: 07947 248220 Work: david.bawn@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Morpeth North
Councillor John Ace Beynon 9 Edward Street, Middle Greens, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 1UR Home mobile: 07927579651 Work: John.Beynon@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Morpeth Stobhill
Councillor Les Bowman 13 Ashkirk Way, Seaton Delaval, Whitley Bay, Northumberland, NE25 0JT Home mobile: 07966327868 Work: les.bowman@northumberland.gov.uk	Labour	Holywell
Councillor Steven Christopher Bridgett County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Home: 01669 622999 Work: Steven.Bridgett@northumberland.gov.uk	Independent Group	Rothbury
Councillor Daniel James Carr County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Work mobile: 07598823256 Work: daniel.carr@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	South Blyth
Councillor Eileen Cartie County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Home mobile: 07899 942212 Work: Eileen.Cartie@northumberland.gov.uk	Labour	Wensleydale
Councillor Gordon Castle 18 Blakelaw Road, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1AZ Home mobile: 07967249483 Work: Gordon.Castle@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Alnwick
Councillor Trevor Cessford 1 Hextol Crescent, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 2AB Home mobile: 07779 983761 Work: Trevor.Cessford@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Hexham Central with Acomb
Councillor Eve Louise Chicken 21 Manners Gardens, Seaton Deleval, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, NE25 ODW Home mobile: 07922673987 Work: eve.chicken@northumberland.gov.uk Home: eve.chicken@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Seghill with Seaton Delaval
Councillor Terry Clark 37 Links Avenue, Amble, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE65 0RZ Home mobile: 07779 983768 Work: Terry.Clark@northumberland.gov.uk	Labour	Amble
Councillor Patricia Anne Mary Dale The Old Presbytery, Minsteracres, Consett, Co Durham, DH8 9RU Home: 01434 673326 Work: Anne.Dale@northumberland.gov.uk	Independent Group	Stocksfield and Broomhaugh
Councillor Wayne Daley County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Home mobile: 07897 446773 Work: Wayne.Daley@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Cramlington North
Councillor Lyle Robert Darwin County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Work mobile: 07890046695 Work: lyle.darwin@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Ponteland East with Stannington
Councillor Scott James Dickinson Office 3, Hadston House, Bondicar Road, Hadston, Morpeth, NE65 9SF Home mobile: 07825035814 Work: scott.dickinson@northumberland.gov.uk	Labour	Druridge Bay
Councillor Richard Robert Dodd Ogle Hill Head, Belsay, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland, NE20 0DR Home mobile: 07779 983286 Work: Richard.Dodd@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Ponteland North
Councillor Elizabeth Dunn 16 West Market Street, Lynemouth, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 5TS Home mobile: 07779 983685 Work: Liz.Dunn@northumberland.gov.uk	Labour	Lynemouth
Councillor Paul Devadoss Ezhilchelvan 16 Gainsborough Place, Cramlington, Northumberland, NE23 6QT Work mobile: 07890046708 Work: paul.ezhilchelvan@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Cramlington South East
Councillor Suzanne Holly Fairless-Aitken County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Home: 07592 270260 Home: suzanne.fairless-aitken@northumberland.gov.uk	Liberal Democrats	Hexham East
Councillor David Ferguson c/o County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Work mobile: 07890046696 Work: david.ferguson01@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Hartley
Councillor Barry Malcolm Flux 39 Langdale Drive, Beaconhill Glade, Cramlington, Northumberland, NE23 8EE Home mobile: 07472002538 Work: Barry.Flux@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Cramlington West
Councillor Julie Denise Foster County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Work: 01670 825146 Work: Julied.Foster@northumberland.gov.uk	Labour	Stakeford
Councillor Brian Charles Gallacher Home mobile: 07769304319 Work: brian.gallacher@northumberland.gov.uk	Labour	Haydon
Councillor Lynne Grimshaw 1 Taylor Avenue, Milburn Park, North Seaton, Ashington, Northumberland, NE63 9JW Home: 01670 810827 Home mobile: 07769 304301 Work: Lynne.Grimshaw@northumberland.gov.uk	Labour	Bothal
Councillor Colin Richard Hardy 4 Temperance Terrace, Berwick upon Tweed, TD15 1LR Work mobile: 07890046706 Work: colin.hardy@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Norham and Islandshires
Councillor Georgina Emma Rowley Hill 1 Parade School Mews, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Northumberland, TD15 1ET Home mobile: 07753749755 Work: Georgina.Hill@northumberland.gov.uk	Independent Group	Berwick East
Councillor Colin William Horncastle Cabinet Member for Looking after our Environment West Highfield, Catton, Hexham, Northumberland, NE47 9QT Home mobile: 07976 677305 Work: Colin.Horncastle@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	South Tynedale
Councillor Cliff Humphrey 55 Guillemot Close, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 3SL Work mobile: 07890062881 Work: cliff.humphrey@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Newsham
Councillor Isabel Hunter County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Work mobile: 07890046704 Work: isabel.hunter@northumberland.gov.uk	Liberal Democrats	Berwick West with Ord
Councillor James Ian Hutchinson County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Home mobile: 07769 304303 Work: Ian.Hutchinson99@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Haltwhistle
Councillor Peter Alan Jackson County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Home mobile: 07779 983422 Work: Peter.Jackson@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Ponteland South with Heddon
Councillor Veronica Jones Cabinet Member for Tackling Inequalities c/o Democratic Services, County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Work mobile: 07850 795339 Home mobile: 07775 015075 Work: Veronica.Jones@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Ponteland West
Councillor Derek Kennedy 2 Alemouth Road, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 3PJ Home: 01434 607669 Work: Derek.Kennedy@northumberland.gov.uk	Independent Group	Hexham West
Councillor James Aidan Lang 35 Barnston, North Seaton, Ashington, Northumberland, NE63 9TY Home mobile: 07748 684665 Work: Jim.Lang@northumberland.gov.uk	Labour	Seaton with Newbiggin West
Councillor Scott Lee County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Work mobile: 07890037536 Work: scott.lee@northumberland.gov.uk	Independent Group	Cramlington East
Councillor Mark George Mather Cherry Tree Cottage, Wooler, Northumberland, NE71 6QS Work mobile: 07890046712 Home mobile: 07787 806 955 Work: mark.mather@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Wooler
Councillor Nick Morphet County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Work mobile: 07890062879 Work: nick.morphet@northumberland.gov.uk	Green Party	Humshaugh
Councillor Mary Bernadette Murphy County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Work mobile: 07890046703 Work: mary.murphy@northumberland.gov.uk	Independent Group	Choppington
Councillor Kath Nisbet 124 Beaumont Street, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 1HL Home mobile: 07762743579 Work: kath.nisbet@northumberland.gov.uk	Labour	Croft
Councillor Nicholas Oliver Holpeth House, The Stanners, Corbridge, Northumberland, NE45 5BA Home mobile: 07779 983742 Work: Nick.Oliver@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Corbridge
Councillor Kenneth Parry 62 Newbiggin Road, Ashington, Northumberland, NE63 0SY Home: 01670 855085 Work: Ken.Parry@northumberland.gov.uk	Labour	Hirst
Councillor Wendy Pattison Cabinet Member for Caring for Adults County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Home mobile: 07779 983072 Work: Wendy.Pattison@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Longhoughton
Councillor Wojciech Franciszek Ploszaj Cabinet Member for Corporate Services 16 Shillhope Drive, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 4SN Work mobile: 07890062880 Work: wojciech.ploszaj@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Kitty Brewster
Councillor Mark Andrew Purvis 37 Pennine Drive, Wansbeck Manor, Ashington, Northumberland, NE63 0TE Home: 01670 815270 Home mobile: 07739613256 Work: Mark.Purvis@northumberland.gov.uk	Labour	College
Councillor Jeff Reid 40 Newlands Road, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 2QJ Home: 01670 544113 Home mobile: 07711 389196 Work: Jeff.Reid@northumberland.gov.uk	Liberal Democrats	Plessey
Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson Cabinet Member for Inspiring Young People 13 West Burton Cottage, West Burton, Bamburgh, Northumberland, NE69 7AR Work: guy.renner-thompson@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Bamburgh
Councillor Margaret Catherine Richardson County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Work mobile: 07890046714 Work: margaret.richardson@northumberland.gov.uk	Labour	Cowpen
Councillor John Robert Riddle Cabinet Member for Improving our Roads and Highways Blakelaw, Bellingham, Hexham, Northumberland, NE48 2EF Home mobile: 07712 183490 Work: John.Riddle@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Bellingham
Councillor Malcolm Robinson 11 Leveson Court, Fenwick Park, Bedlington, Northumberland, NE22 6FD Home: 07779 983080 Home mobile: 07779 983080 Home: Malcolm.Robinson@northumberland.gov.uk	Non Aligned	Bedlington West
Councillor Hugh Glen Howard Sanderson Leader of Council County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Work: Glen.Sanderson@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Longhorsley
Councillor Angie Scott Work mobile: 07890046702 Work: angie.scott@northumberland.gov.uk	Labour	Prudhoe North
Councillor Catherine Seymour c/o County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Home mobile: 07779 983097 Work: Catherine.Seymour@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Berwick North
Councillor Alan Sharp Home mobile: 07759665200 Work: alan.sharp@northumberland.gov.uk	Liberal Democrats	Haydon with Hadrian
Councillor Elizabeth M. Simpson 23 East Lea, Newbiggin by the sea, Northumberland, NE64 6BQ Home mobile: 07904958498 Home: elizabeth.simpson@northumberland.gov.uk	Non Aligned	Newbiggin Central and East
Councillor Alan Smith County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Work: 07702657260 Work: alan.smith@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Cramlington Eastfield
Councillor Gordon Stewart Cabinet Member for Looking after our Communities Northumberland County Council, County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Home mobile: 07779 983093 Work: Gordon.Stewart@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Prudhoe South
Councillor Martin Philip Swinbank 62 Chapel Lands, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1ER Work mobile: 07890062817 Work: martin.swinbank@northumberland.gov.uk	Green Party	Alnwick
Councillor Mark David Swinburn 3 Loxton Square, Southfield Gardens, Cramlington, Northumberland, NE23 7XT Home mobile: 07506 722998 Work: Mark.Swinburn@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Cramlington Village
Councillor Christine Anne Taylor 48 Hartford Crescent, Bedlington, Northumberland, NE22 6JB Work mobile: 07890046709 Work: christine.taylor@northumberland.gov.uk	Independent Group	Bedlington Central
Councillor Trevor Norman Thorne The Stables, Embleton Hall, Front Street, Longframlington, Morpeth, NE65 8DT Home mobile: 07769 304311 Work: Trevor.Thorne@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Shilbottle
Councillor David James Towns 39 Howard Terrace, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 1HT Home mobile: 07985 012012 Work: David.Towns@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Pegswood
Councillor Holly Rebecca Waddell County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Work mobile: 07890046700 Work: holly.waddell@northumberland.gov.uk	Independent Group	Bywell
Councillor Alex Wallace 20 Brunel Way, Sleekburn View, East Sleekburn, Bedlington, Northumberland, NE22 7FE Work mobile: 07890046711 Work: alex.wallace@northumberland.gov.uk	Labour	Sleekburn
Councillor Anna Watson County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Work mobile: 07890046540 Work: anna.watson@northumberland.gov.uk	Labour	Isabella
Councillor Jeff Watson Cabinet Member for Promoting Healthy Lives 14 Magdalene Fields, Warkworth, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE65 0UF Home mobile: 07802385367 Work: jeffrey.watson@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Amble West with Warkworth
Councillor Richard Watson Wearmouth Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Supporting Business and Opportunities County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Home mobile: 07752782340 Work: Richard.Wearmouth@northumberland.gov.uk	Conservative	Morpeth Kirkhill
Councillor Rebecca Wilczek Work mobile: 07890046697 Work: rebecca.wilczek@northumberland.gov.uk	Labour	Bedlington East

Members’ local improvement schemes

View historical and current information here.

Councillors’ allowances

Each year a basic allowance is paid to each councillor. In addition to this, a special responsibility allowance (SRA) is paid to a number of councillors, including the following, to reflect their special responsibilities over and above their role as a ward councillor:

cabinet members including the leader and deputy leader of the council
chair and vice chair
chairs and vice chairs of the overview and scrutiny committees
chairs and vice chairs of other certain committees, including planning, licensing and others
opposition party leaders and deputy leaders and group secretaries.

Allowances are set by an independent remuneration panel. All the numbers produced are gross figures with allowances being subject to tax. The members' allowance scheme can be seen here. You can see the details of expenses and allowances for each year from 2013 are in the documents below.

Complaint about an elected member

If you make a complaint, it must be about why you think a member has not followed their code.

The member’s code of conduct is part of the county council constitution.To view the members' code of conduct, click here. To assist you in making a complaint, we have also prepared an indicative flowchart that sets out how the process works for handling complaints about elected members.