Dawn Bellingham announced as new Durham Reform cabinet member

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. 

Dawn Bellingham, who represents Horden and Dene House ward, has taken over Durham County Council’s communities and civic resilience portfolio (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

Cllr Lyons, Reform member for Tudhoe ward, is believed to have stepped down due to ill health. 

All other cabinet positions remain the same. 

Who is in the cabinet?

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.