Who's who

Councillor Paul Watson, Chair, Association of North East Councils (Lab)

Leader
Sunderland City Council
P.O. Box 100
Civic Centre
Burdon Road
Sunderland
SR2 7DN

Tel: 0191 561 1322
Email: leaders.office@sunderland.gov.uk

Biography
Councillor Paul Watson was elected as Chair of the Association of North East Councils on 27 October 2009.

He has been Leader of Sunderland City Council since May 2008, after previously serving as Deputy Leader from May 2006. Prior to that, he was Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Community Cohesion.
Councillor Watson was born in, and has lived all his life in Sunderland.  After serving his time as an apprentice shipwright at Sunderland Shipbuilders, he was made redundant in 1981 and has been self-employed ever since.
Married to Susan, Councillor Watson studied law at Teesside University gaining an Honours Degree in 1998.

He represents the Pallion Ward.

Councillor Simon Henig, Vice Chair, Association of North East Councils (Lab)

Leader
Durham County Council
County Hall
Durham
DH1 5UL
Sunderland
SR2 7DN

Tel: 0191 383 3661
Email: simon.henig@durham.gov.uk

Biography
Councillor Simon Henig was elected as Vice Chair of the Association of North East Councils on 27 October 2009.

Councillor Henig was appointed Leader of Durham County Council in May 2008 with the challenging task of leading the Council into the new era of Unitary Government. With the establishment of the new Council on 1 April 2009, the demanding job continues to fully integrate local government services in County Durham for the benefit of all who live, work and visit the area.

Councillor Henig is Chair of the new Co Durham Partnership Board which strategically plans and leads the action needed to tackle critical issues facing the County’s future so that it can fulfil its potential both regionally and nationally. This also links to the newly created Area Action Partnerships to ensure priorities are decided and delivered locally.

He is a member of Labour’s National Policy Forum and Chair of the Regional Board.

As former Deputy Leader at Chester-le-Street Councillor Henig played a key role in improving the Council from a ‘poor’ to a ‘good’ rating within three years, the fastest recovery of any council in the UK.

He is a Principal Lecturer in Politics at the University of Sunderland, an Oxford-educated academic and author of several political books.

Married with two young children Councillor Henig lives in Chester-le-Street and represents the West Central electoral division. He has many interests and enjoys travel, football and cricket.

Councillor Ken Lupton (Cons), Vice Chair, Association of North East Councils

Leader
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
Municipal Buildings
Church Road
Stockton-on-Tees
TS18 1LD

Tel: 01642 527 001
Email: kenneth.lupton@stockton.gov.uk

Biography
Councillor Ken Lupton was elected as Vice Chair of the Association of North East Councils on 27 October 2009.

He was elected Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council in May 2007. He has also been Leader of the Conservative Group at the Council since 2005, representing the Hartburn Ward as Councillor since 1999.

Councillor Lupton worked in the heavy engineering industry before entering local government in 1964. He then worked for four local authorities throughout the North East in roles ranging from Public Health Inspector to Cleansing Manager. He retired from his position as Director of Contract Services with Stockton Borough Council in 1997.

Councillor Lupton was a soccer referee for 33 years officiating on The Football League and controlling games from as far as Venice and Hungary to the wilds of Kielder Forest. He still likes to keep fit with regular rounds of golf and running half marathons. Cllr Lupton is married and has 2 children and 3 grandchildren.

Melanie Laws - Chief Executive

Association of North East Councils
Guildhall
Quayside
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 3AF

Tel: 0191 261 7388
Fax: 0191 232 4558
Email: melanie.laws@northeastcouncils.gov.uk

Hilary Knox - Deputy Chief Executive

Association of North East Councils
Guildhall
Quayside
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 3AF

Tel: 0191 261 3913
Fax: 0191 232 4558
Email: hilary.knox@northeastcouncils.gov.uk

Andy Robinson - Head of Local Government Policy
Tel: 0191 261 3907
Fax: 0191 232 4558
Email: andy.robinson@northeastcouncils.gov.uk

Keith Lamb - Policy Manager
Tel: 0191 261 3901
Fax: 0191 232 4558
Email: keith.lamb@northeastcouncils.gov.uk

Kate Bond - Policy Manager (External Affairs)
Tel: 0191 261 3921
Fax: 0191 232 4558
Email: kate.bond@northeastcouncils.gov.uk

Alison Jane - Policy Officer
Tel: 0191 261 3908
Fax: 0191 232 4558
Email: alison.jane@northeastcouncils.gov.uk

Bethan Hughes - Communications Officer (External Affairs)
Tel: 0191 261 3917
Fax: 0191 232 4558
Email: bethan.hughes@northeastcouncils.gov.uk

Lynne Etheridge - Executive Officer
Tel: 0191 261 3910
Fax: 0191 232 4558
Email: lynne.etheridge@northeastcouncils.gov.uk

Alison Reilly - Administration Manager
Tel: 0191 261 3922
Fax: 0191 232 4558
Email: alison.reilly@northeastcouncils.gov.uk