Who we are

Deputy Leader of Newcastle City Council

Councillor Karen Kilgour is the Deputy Leader of Newcastle City Council and Cabinet member at the North of Tyne Combined Authority.

Cllr Kilgour is a former local government officer with long experience of campaigning for equalities. In her current role as Deputy Leader looks after the council’s resources and ensures they are used wisely and in line with the direction set by Cabinet. She is also responsible for ensuring that the council has a performance regime which is driving change and improvement.

Karen is also responsible for health and adult social care within the city, supporting some of the most vulnerable residents to live as independently as they can. Karen is also the council’s Armed Forces Champion.

Within the Combined Authority, Cllr Kilgour is portfolio holder for Education, Inclusion and Skills. As portfolio holder, Cllr Kilgour is supported by the NTCA Officers to deliver great adult education, shape the skills of the future and deliver targeted, bespoke interventions to help young and vulnerable people into work.