Your Liberal Democrat Councillors in Gateshead
Meet the people that work for you all year round here in Gateshead
Gateshead Liberal Democrats have a team of Councillors and a network of volunteers across the borough. Get in touch with your councillor via the contact details on their profiles, or you can write to them at: Civic Centre, Regent Street, Gateshead, NE8 1HH You can also email us at: hello@gatesheadlibdems.org.uk
Councillor Ron Beadle (Leader)
Ward Councillor for Low Fell. Ron has been Leader of the Lib Dem Opposition on Gateshead Council since January 2023 having represented Low Fell since 1996. He sits on a number of Council committees and provides constructive opposition which means backing the Council when it does the right thing but criticising it when it doesn’t. Ron says: "A Lib Dem Council would empower residents to have a real say over issues that matter. In the meantime we speak up for people who all too often feel let down. Gateshead charges the highest levels of Council Tax of any metropolitan borough in the country but residents feel that it is out if touch and unresponsive. That has to change!" Beyond the Council, Ron is a Professor at Northumbria University’s Business School and writes a monthly column for The Journal. Phone: 0191 4211269 / 0191 433 2074 Email: cllr.rbeadle@gateshead.gov.uk
Councillor Chris Ord (Deputy Leader)
Ward: Whickham North Christopher is the Ward Councillor for Whickham North which also covers Swalwell. He was first elected to Gateshead Council in 1992 at the age of 24 and has served the ward continuously having been re-elected eight times. He is the longest serving councillor on record in the ward, the second longest serving member and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Gateshead Council. He has lived in the area since 1983 and is a trustee of Swalwell Community Centre and Whickham Volunteer Library Association (Treasurer 2017-2023) Christopher founded and runs Swalwell Community Group which raises funds for the Swalwell Christmas tree. He is also a member of Planting Up Whickham and Lighting Up Whickham. In 2016, Rotary International awarded Christopher a Paul Harris Award - a rarely given award which recognises individuals as having done Significant Community Service. He has been a member of The Rotary Club of Whickham since 1992. 01914882545 07594645999 cllr.cord@gateshead.gov.uk
Councillor Amanda Wintcher
Ward Councillor for Pelaw and Heworth. Amanda and her husband have lived in Pelaw since 2008. She came to the north east to study in 2004, became a British citizen in 2013, and was elected to the Council in 2022. She is particularly interested in environmental and transportation issues and has been involved in litter picking, community allotment and gardening projects, and other efforts to make Pelaw and Heworth cleaner and greener. Amanda is an archaeologist by training and has worked on sites across the UK and USA. As well as council work she is a regular volunteer at Jarrow Hall, where she has been taking part in heritage craft skills workshops and helping to build experimental timber structures. Work. Phone: 07517 499093 / 0191 433 2074 Email : cllr.awintcher@gateshead.gov.uk
Councillor Amelia Ord
Ward: Dunston Hill and Whickham East Amelia had been active in the local community for 14 years prior to her election to the council in 2022 and is passionate about helping people with their issues. Amelia is a member of The Rotary Club of Whickham, Whickham Belles Women’s Institute and Lighting up Whickham. She is also a Trustee of Whickham Volunteer Library Association and The Friends of Chase Park. Phone 07525289249 / 0191 433 2074 Email: cllr.aord@gateshead.gov.uk
Councillor Daniel Duggan
Ward Councillor for Low Fell. Daniel has been a Councillor for Low Fell since May, 2016. He was born and brought up in Gateshead and educated at the London School of Economics, Durham University, Northumbria University and Sunderland University. He works in further education where he teaches economics. Phone: 0191 487 4613 / 0191 433 2074 Email: cllr.dduggan@gateshead.gov.uk
Councillor Dawn Welsh
Ward: Low Fell Dawn is the Ward Councillor for Low Fell, elected in May 2022. Born and raised in Low Fell, Dawn attended Oakfield, Brekenbeds and Heathfield schools before studying Business at the University of Teesside. She is the third generation of her father's family to live in Low Fell, a family which has been part of the commercial fabric of Gateshead since the mid 1700's. Her 30 year career is rooted in new market development within the construction, property and infrastructure deployment sectors, and she specialises in the decarbonisation of heat, power and transport. She has sat on the Renewable Energy Association UK Solar Steering Group and has also contributed to their Solar, Energy Storage and Electric Vehicle Charging forums. Dawn is passionate about the creation of a sustainable regional economy whilst also leaving a sustainable environment to future generations, she believes both can thrive when communities are supported to help themselves. Dawn is not afraid to speak truth to power and will continue to do so on behalf of residents. Phone: 07584 205411 email: cllr.dwelsh@gateshead.gov.uk
Councillor Ian Patterson
Ward Councillor for Pelaw and Heworth. I have lived firstly in Felling and now Wardley since 1971. I attended Brandling Street Primary and then Wardley Schools and finally Heworth Grange Comprehensive. I worked in the Civil Service from 1984 to 2012, mostly in Civil Service Pensions. I am now retired from work and devote my energies to the Pelaw & Heworth Ward alongside Councillors Paul Diston and Cllr Dr Amanda Wintcher. I was first elected to the Council for the old Pelaw & Heworth Ward in 1999, serving till 2012. I was then re-elected to the Council in 2016 and again in 2021 and will be seeking election again in 2024. Phone: 0191 469 4531 / 0191 433 2074 or 07523 944 921. Email: cllr.ipatterson@gateshead.gov.uk
Councillor Joe Sowerby
Ward Councillor for Birtley. Joe has been elected to represent Birtley in the May 2024 elections. Bio is pending. Phone: TBC Email: TBC
Councillor Jonathan Mohammed
Ward: Whickham South and Sunniside. Jonathan has spent all his life in Gateshead and grew up in Whickham. He was educated at Whickham school, Gateshead College and completed an honours degree in English, at the University of Sunderland in 2000. Since completing education, he has embarked on a career in the Civil Service. Phone: 0191 433 2074 Email: cllr.jmohammed@gateshead.gov.uk
Councillor Paul Diston
Ward Councillor for Pelaw and Heworth since 2019. Paul has fought for not just the people of Pelaw and Heworth but anybody that needs his help, He is an active member of the Council and has lived in the local area for over 30 Years with his partner Susan. Paul is also a keen Gateshead FC fan and has spoken out on closures of Leisure centres as well as attended meetings with Police regarding anti social behaviour and crime throughout Gateshead. Paul has been with his current employer Bookers for over 38 Years and is actively seeking to support the residents of Gateshead when he retires in 2024. Phone: 0191 4423219 / 0191 433 2074 Email: cllr.pdiston@gateshead.gov.uk
Councillor Paul Elliott
Ward: Birtley I was born and raised in Birtley attended Barley Mow Infant and Junior school ‘s then Lord Lowson comprehensive school When I left school, I went to work for Walter Wilson supermarket as store assistant becoming manager after 6 years, I left to work for Mills retail until I had a change of direction when I joined the Royal Mail as a postman. I was married in 1981 I have 3 children all girls and have five grandchildren 4 boys and 3 girls. Phone: 0191 433 2074 / 07775227459 Email: cllr.pelliott@gateshead.gov.uk
Councillor Jonathan Wallace
Ward Councillor for Whickham South and Sunniside. I was first elected to Gateshead Council for Whickham South in 1987 at the age of 23. I have been re-elected ten times since then. In 2004 the Ward boundaries were changed and Sunniside was added to the name. I went to Whickham Comprehensive and then Newcastle University where I graduated in 1988 with a first class honours degree in History (1988) and then with a Doctorate in History (1995). For many years I have edited and produced the Liberal Democrats’ Focus community newsletter in the Whickham area. In 2003 I launched an email newsletter for constituents called eFocus which is now read by over 2000 people. The newsletter contains mainly local news but also links to community organisations. I worked on policy for the Liberal Democrats from 2002 to 2009 when I gave up paid work to become self-sufficient, producing my own food and fuel. I now have a 17 acre farm near Sunniside where I keep goats, sheep, poultry and bees. I also run a YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/jonathanwallace) which includes videos about food, farming and history. In July 2023 I married my partner David Randall. Phone: 0191 4883190 / 0191 433 2074 Email: cllr.jwallace@gateshead.gov.uk
Councillor Peter Craig BEM
Ward Councillor for Whickham North. Peter was first elected to Gateshead Council in 2004 and has since been re-elected five times. He attended Whickham Parochial School, then Whickham Comprehensive, going on to graduate from the University of Sunderland with a degree in Applied Biology. Peter works as a Senior Manager for a global pharmaceutical company. He has set up and run several community groups including Planting Up Whickham and Lighting Up Whickham. Peter is also a trustee of Swalwell Community Centre and Whickham Volunteer Library Association. In 2005, Peter was asked by community groups to coordinate the Whickham Remembrance event and has continued to organise this ever since. He was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year Honours list of 2020 for services to the community. Peter enjoys photography, reading, spending time with his two grandchildren and organising fundraising events with his wife Susan, along with hiking and playing walking football with the Whickham Strollers to keep fit. Phone: 0191 488 0787 / 0191 433 2074 Email: cllr.ptcraig@gateshead.gov.uk.
Councillor Peter Maughan
Ward: Dunston Hill and Whickham East Peter was first elected to Gateshead Council 30 years ago as a member for Whickham North. When ward boundaries changed, he felt it incumbent upon him to move to the new ward where his house now stood, and he was elected and has remained a member for the ward ever since. He lived in the Dunston part of the ward for his first two years of life and thereafter has lived throughout in Whickham. He has held many community appointments. He has been parliamentary candidate for Blaydon on two occasions (and nearly took the seat on one of them) for Gateshead, Jarrow and for Newcastle North amongst others. He is a well-known local Solicitor having practiced in Gateshead since 1978, for most of his time in his own practice. He has been Chair of the Newcastle Upon Tyne and North Northumberland Branch of the RSPCA for many years. He has also been involved in a number of other charities across the region. Phone: 07966363229 Email: cllr.pmaughan@gateshead.gov.uk
Councillor Leanne Brand
Ward: Saltwell Leanne has lived in Saltwell for 8 years, and after campaigning in the area for 3 years, Leanne was elected in May 2023. Leanne is passionate about reaching out to the community and working to make sure that Saltwell is represented at council. Outside of her role as Councillor, Leanne has worked in Customer Services for 14 years. Phone: 0191 433 2074 / 07525802688 Email: cllr.lbrand@gateshead.gov.uk
Councillor Marilynn Ord
Ward Councillor for Whickham South and Sunniside. I have been a Liberal Democrat Councillor on Gateshead Council for the past 23 years, and have devote my time serving the people of Whickham who elected me. I have lived in Whickham for over 45 years and it is where my husband and I brought up our family. I am a school governor on two primary school governing bodies, Clover Hill and Whickham Parochial CofE Primary. Because I live in the ward I represent which is Whickham South and Sunniside I am well known and kept busy dealing with day to day issues from residents. Phone: 0191 4882873 / 0191 433 2074 Email: cllr.mord@gateshead.gov.uk
Councillor Vicky Anderson
Ward: Dunston Hill and Whickham East Vicky is a Liberal Democrat councillor for Dunston Hill & Whickham East ward in Gateshead, winning her seat in 2019 and re-elected in 2023. She was Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Blaydon at the 2019 general election. Her beliefs and political views are centered striving for equality and fairness in every part of society. She also currently works full time as Head of Customer Success for an online events platform. Phone: 0191 433 2074 Email: cllr.vanderson@gateshead.gov.uk
Councillor Sonya Hawkins
Ward Councillor for Whickham North. Sonya is the Chair of the lighting up Whickham volunteer group which ensure the residents of Whickham have a Xmas tree each year. She is also the Trustee for Swalwell community centre which is the centre for all residents of Swalwell and beyond. Sonya is happy to help anybody and she like nothing more than speaking up for those that need her, She tackles Housing Repair issues as well as fighting for the needs of the residents of not just Whickham but the wider community. If you have an Issue you know who to call. Phone: 0191 422 2206 / 0191 433 2074 Email: cllr.shawkins@gateshead.gov.uk
