A new cabinet member leading a council’s work in local communities has been announced, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.
Dawn Bellingham, who represents Horden and Dene House ward, has taken over Durham County Council’s communities and civic resilience portfolio from Nicola Lyons.
The Reform councillor was elected in May 2025 and held several positions on the local authority’s scrutiny committees, including the Safer and Stronger Communities board, planning committee, and police and crime panel.
Responsibilities of the cabinet position include leading the council’s strategies on HMOs and homelessness, poverty, domestic violence, and maintaining relationships with town and parish councils.
Cllr Lyons, Reform member for Tudhoe ward, is believed to have stepped down due to ill health.
All other cabinet positions remain the same.
Cllr Andrew Husband – Leader of the council
Cllr Darren Grimes – Deputy Leader of the council
Cllr Dawn Bellingham – communities and civic resilience
Cllr Tim McGuinness – rural, farming and transport
Cllr Stephen Gray – transformation, efficiency, digital and procurement
Cllr Karen Allison – leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street
Cllr Kyle Genner – neighbourhoods, environment and police relations
Cllr Joe Quinn – planning, investments and assets
Cllr Howard Brown – adult and health services
Cllr Cathy Hunt – children and young people’s services
Reform is represented by 58 councillors after initially winning 65 seats at the local election in May 2025.
Bill Edgar
Reporter for the Local Democracy Reporter Service.
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
