Newcastle confirms first female leader
The local authority has appointed Cllr Karen Kilgour as its senior elected member, the decision being ratified at a meeting of full council last night.
The member for the West Fenham ward takes over from Cllr Nick Kemp, who resigned last month, to whom she served as Deputy Leader. She was chosen by the ruling Labour group earlier this week before full council formally signed off the appointment.
Cllr Kilgour said: “It is the honour of my life to be able to lead the city I love and stand up for the people who call Newcastle home.
“I also want to take this opportunity to thank Cllr Kemp for all his hard work during his time as leader, and for the personal support he has shown to me. I know how much he cares about this city.
“It gives me great pride to be first woman to hold this important position. Newcastle is a city that has continually shown that women can rise to the very top, holding a number of important roles across the public, private and community sectors.
“While we’re fortunate to live in an incredibly forward-thinking and inclusive city, I am determined to stand for all those who have previously been, and continue to be, marginalised for characteristics beyond their control.
“It is an exciting time for Newcastle and the wider region, with the formation of the new North East Combined Authority presenting opportunities for the North East to thrive.
“However, there are challenges affecting residents across the city, and I look forward to working with residents, businesses, communities, and partners to help Newcastle be the best version of itself.
“There is a lot of hard work ahead of us, and I look forward to the challenge of uniting our city and supporting council officers in putting residents at the heart of everything we do.”
Cllr Kilgour was first elected to the council to represent the former Fenham ward in 2014, and has been a member for West Fenham since boundary changes in 2018.
Prior to her appointment as Leader, Cllr Kilgour held a number of prominent positions within the council’s leadership group. She was first appointed to cabinet under former Leader Nick Forbes, holding responsibility for adult social care and health.
She then became Deputy Leader for the first time in 2021, a position she held when Cllr Kemp was later appointed Leader. In recent years she has had responsibility for public health.
Cllr Kemp resigned his position in September, following an accusation of bullying by a senior council officer.
