Labour has regained control of Newcastle City Council after seven years of Liberal Democrat administration.
Following yesterday’s local elections, Labour now holds 44 of the council’s 78 seats, giving us a clear mandate to form the city’s new administration and begin delivering the change Newcastle residents voted for.
We take responsibility for the council at an extremely difficult time. Newcastle faces severe financial pressure because of the Conservative and Lib Dem government’s spending cuts, while demand for many essential local services continues to grow. These challenges will require difficult decisions, but our priorities are clear: supporting employment, reducing inequality and protecting the communities most exposed to austerity.
Our new Labour administration will refocus the council on jobs, fairness and social justice. We want Newcastle to be a city in which economic opportunity reaches every neighbourhood and where residents can rely on strong public services when they need them.
That work will connect our leadership at the Civic Centre with the everyday contribution of Labour councillors across Newcastle. Our councillors will listen to residents, take up individual cases and ensure that neighbourhood experiences influence the decisions made by the council.
Policies agreed at the Civic Centre must make a practical difference in people’s homes, schools, high streets and community organisations. We will therefore judge our administration by what it delivers for Newcastle residents, particularly those facing the greatest pressure.
We will work openly with communities, trade unions, voluntary organisations, public services and local businesses. The council cannot overcome every challenge on its own, especially while national policy is placing such severe pressure on local government, but Newcastle Labour will always make the strongest possible case for our city.
The new leader of the council Nick Forbes said:
“Labour has taken responsibility for Newcastle at a very difficult time, and we will put jobs, fairness and strong communities at the centre of the council’s work. Residents have placed their trust in us, and we are determined to repay that trust through practical action in every part of our city.”