Key information
Role: Mayor of North Tyneside Council
Memberships: Cabinet
Council: North Tyneside
Page last updated 21-10-2024
As the Authority’s principal public spokesperson, her role is to give political direction to the Council, appoint Cabinet and Deputy Mayor, decide on the scheme of delegation, Chair meetings of Cabinet and represent the Council on external bodies.
Dame Norma Redfearn DBE has always lived in North Tyneside and has a real passion for the borough in addition to an extensive track-record in Local Government.
Before becoming the Elected Mayor she represented Riverside Ward in North Shields as Ward Councillor between 2004 and 2013. During this time she also served as the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Learning.
A graduate of Newcastle University she has had a 30 year career in teaching, both in primary and secondary education. This included 14 years as a Headteacher and four years in an education advisory capacity, before moving into education related consultancy.
Highlights of Norma’s career include:
- In 1997 she was awarded the Prize for Public Leadership by the office of Public Management
- In 1998 she was chosen by think tank DEMOS to serve as an example of ‘civic’ entrepreneurship.
- In 1999 she was a Speaker for the ‘Smith Institute’ (Social Entrepreneurship)
- In 1999 she was a Speaker at International Conference in Atlanta USA (Co-operation and Enterprising people).
- In 2000 she was elected as founder member of the General Teaching Council
- In 2009 she was a Member of BCSE ’Great Schools Commission’, Chaired by Estelle Morris.
- In 2009 she was included in the publication ‘Everyday Legends’, alongside Bob Geldof and Jamie Oliver.
- In 2013 she was appointed as Member of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership
- In 2014 she was appointed as Vice Chair of the North East Combined Authority
- She has spoken at Leadership Forums and associations in relation to her past and current experience in a leadership role.
- In 2018 she was awarded a CBE for Public and Community Services.
- She was awarded a DBE in 2023for political and public service.
- She has been the Deputy Chair of the North of Tyne Combined Authority.
- She was the Vice Chair of ANEC.
- She a Member of the North East Combined Authority with a Cabinet portfolio cover Housing and Land.
Read more about Dame Norma Redfearn DBE on the North Tyneside Council website