27/05/2026
THE HIGH FELL WARD COUNCIL BY-ELECTION
STATEMENT BY THE LEADER OF THE REFORM GROUP ON GATESHEAD COUNCIL
As you are aware, a by-election for the vacancy of councillor for the High Fell ward on Gateshead Council will be held on 9th July.
The vacancy has arisen because the incumbent, Danielle Cavanagh, has chosen to develop a very recent opportunity to significantly expand her business interests. Whilst she is saddened that this means she will not be able to serve her ward residents as she wished to do, we understand her motivation in seeking to secure the future for herself and her family. In this, she has our full support.
This mirrors a situation experienced by the Liberal Democrats in the Whickham North ward around 18 months ago, when a councillor who was elected in local elections of May 2024, resigned and there followed a by-election a couple of months later.
Opposition parties have accused Reform of having ‘wasted’ council taxpayers’ money by variously stating that the by-election will cost amounts from £16,000 to £25,000. Being a fair-minded party, this is not an allegation we chose to make against the Whickham Liberals.
In fact, the cost of the by-election is likely to be around £19,000. HOWEVER, unlike our opponents, the Reform Group on Gateshead Council recognise the inconvenience caused to residents of High Fell and the Council, despite the genuine reason for the vacancy. We have therefore decided that we will recompense the council in full, for the cost of the election.
Our contribution to the costs of the poll will come from:
1. One of our Cabinet members has volunteered to forgo their Special Responsibility Allowance, thereby matching the full cost of the election and specifically for this purpose alone.
2. We have decided to constrain the numbers of Cabinet positions and cut back by 1 full role. Again, this will match the cost of the election.
In taking the above actions, we will save the Council approximately £40,000, exceeding the election cost by £21,000.
Our decision underscores our respect for the voters of High Fell and Gateshead Borough and we assure them all that we continue to serve them in good faith and with maximum effort and dedication.
NICK ALLAN
REFORM GROUP LEADER – GATESHEAD COUNCIL
