Who will you vote for? Amble’s 2025 county candidates

Posted on 15th April 2025 | in Community , Northumberland County Council

There are nine candidates for the upcoming county council elections on 1 May. Six people are standing in Amble West with Warkworth, and three in the Amble ward.

We’ve listed them all here, together with their reasons why they’d like your vote:

Amble West with Warkworth

ALEXANDER BREWIS – LibDem

Alexander Brewis

I have a deep connection with the ward. My dad went to school here, and my Aunt and Uncle live in Warkworth. Lib Dems care about community politics- we don’t dismiss things like fixing a church roof as irrelevant, as Badenoch did, or treat local government as a hindrance, as Labour often do. In Northumberland, we have seen a Conservative council mired in scandal, while nationally, we have a Labour government that has broken its promises. We need change- but change that actually delivers!

On housing, we need to build homes for young people so they don’t leave after finishing their education. But you do that by working with the local community, not imposing policies on them. And by holding developers to account for the promises they made, making them pay for necessary infrastructure- local Conservatives have frequently failed to do this!

On the environment and climate change, we need action. If elected, I would push to reinstate the £2 bus fare cap at a county level, and adequately fund rural bus services. Furthermore, I would campaign to stop water companies pumping sewage into our rivers, and ensure they pay for upkeep, not local residents.

On poverty, I would push the council to oppose Starmer’s cuts to Winter Fuel Allowance for pensioners, as well as his retaining of the 2 child benefit cap, which cruelly target the most vulnerable. On anti-social behaviour, I would back increased community policing, but increased provision of youth clubs is also needed.

The Liberal Democrats can win Amble West with Warkworth. Last election, my party got almost 30% of the vote, a clear second to the Conservatives- we are the clear tactical vote for change in this area. Send me to County Hall, and I will fight every day to demand better for our communities!

ANN BURKE – Independent

Ann Burke

Vote Ann Burke on May 1st – your Independent candidate for Amble West with Warkworth

Are you sick of politics? It’s time to vote for someone who cares and is passionate about the ward, its residents and their wishes.

I have lived in Warkworth most of my life and owned a florists on Queen Street Amble for 30 years. I have a long family history in Warkworth, which leads to my deep love of the area. Amble West with Warkworth needs a strong voice for the electorate and the ward, not a political squabble and knee jerk reactions. I’m a doer not a politician.

Amble West with Warkworth needs,
• Housing that is appropriate to the area.
• To monitor the build of the new School and sports facilities to get the best value for the community out of the project.
• A full review of traffic speeds, parking, cycleways & walking routes, especially to schools.
• Joined up transport links.
• A proper balance between residence & tourism.
• To work with local healthcare providers, for the best life outcomes for our community.
• Support voluntary groups and environmental projects.
• Working with the adopted and emerging neighbourhood plans to address community concerns.
• A solution to the never ending problems of litter, dog poo and potholes.

I was humbled to be invited to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party, for services to Amble. This nomination was for my work, whilst Chair of Amble Business Club and working with Amble Development Trust, to help establish the Town Centre car park, the Harbour Village, winning the Great British Coastal High Street, and the establishment of the “Bord Waalk” art trail.

On a Saturday morning I volunteer at Parkrun, where participants range from babies in buggies to over 80’s, it is a wonderful community event where there is no judgement and people take part for heath & wellbeing.

PAULINE DAVIDSON – Reform

Pauline Davidson

Hi, my name is Pauline Davidson, although most people know me as Polly. I am a retired Nurse Practitioner having worked for the NHS for 37 years. During this time, I developed many clinical skills as well as a solid foundation of knowledge in communication, empathy, leadership, and time management. I have always had a commitment to lifetime learning and caring. Now I am happily married, retired and an immensely proud Husky owner. I have lived in the Northeast all my life apart from spending 8 years in Cyprus.

So, why am I standing as a Reform candidate, where do we start? To be honest, one of the reasons I am doing this is because I am so angry with this government and with the local council.

We need to put things right, there are several issues that are important to our communities that we need to fix:

• Reduce council tax.
• Reduce council waste of taxpayers’ money!
• Help small businesses!
• Help the farmers!
• Fix the potholes (44,921 in Northumberland)
• Improve the infrastructure for GP and dental services.
• Help our pensioners by fighting to keep the triple lock and reinstate winter fuel payment.
• Deal with the gangs of shoplifters who are raiding our local shops. Review of police policy  for attending these raids.
• Stop green belt building.

As you will see, many of the local issues cross over to national issues.
We care about the people in our community, and we will listen to their needs and do our best to make things happen. We need Reform to change things for the better, for our future generations. We need Reform to help ensure that our British values, culture, traditions, and our heritage is retained.

IVOR RACKHAM – Green Party

Ivor Rackham

I’ve never had any political ambitions. However, when things are not right, I’ve never been afraid to speak out.

You may know me through my business or from when I worked at Coquet High School, now JCSC. My family moved here twenty years ago after setting up a holiday company in Tanzania. Before that I was running outdoor education centres in Scotland.

Volunteering is a big part of my life. I helped to stop the opencast coal mine at Druridge Bay and successfully challenged the Coal Authority to tackle the mine water that was flooding Hauxley’s allotments and causing quicksand on the beach. A former youth leader and commissioner, school SEND governor, and Coastguard member, I’m now an Amble Youth Project trustee, member of the Amble Neighbourhood Plan team, and a parish councillor.

Ours is a fabulous place to live. But things could be better. Public transport is dire, our library, an essential service for many, has been run down so there is a fraction of the books on the shelves. Moreover, without consultation, it was closed over Christmas. Recycling here is rubbish! Furthermore, we have no sports centre or public swimming pool.

The wrong types of properties were given planning permission, so retired couples move here from far away. Consequently, despite all those new estates, the population here is falling; young families cannot afford those houses.

With funding based on the size of the declining population our NHS services struggle, especially as an older population requires more health support. Schools also suffer and are closed. Along with protecting our nature, these are grass roots Green Party issues. It’s time for change. Our experienced team of professional people, who are not career politicians, will hold NCC to account and reject extremist, regressive, and xenophobic ideals.

So, please vote for me.

AMY SPRIGGS – Labour

Amy Spriggs

Lots of you will know me, but many of you wont. For those people who don’t, my name is Amy Spriggs and I live in Amble, I work locally supporting the community for Hadston House and AIM North East.

I am a older persons coordinator running services for those who need it in the Warkworth, Amble, Hadston, Acklington, Widdrington and Ulgham areas.

In addition to this I am a trained youth worker who supports young people in our locality.

I had no passion for politics until recently, over the last few years I have been working with Scott Dickinson the Leader of Northumberland Labour and local County Councillor. Seeing what someone can do when they put their community first made me interested.

Now I have decided to stand for election, to offer my self to local people to represent them and our area. Working alongside fantastic Councillors like Scott Dickinson and Terry Clark I could become part of the team delivering for local people.

Over the past few months I have held drop in sessions across the ward allowing people of the community to share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas about local issues.

With this in mind, if elected, I will listen to the community and represent your views, I will address the local issues around ASB and motorbike nuisance impacting our area, I will tackle the highway concerns, grass cutting, pavements and potholes and I will ensure the local community is put first by ensuring your voices are heard.

JEFF WATSON – Conservative

Jeff Watson

Jeff Watson is a coal miner’s son who left school at 16 to pursue a career path in sales and marketing throughout the UK, culminating as managing director of the Canadian subsidiary of that company. Committed to public service, in his spare time Jeff served 11 years in the Royal Navy Reserves and Territorial Army.

Jeff has continually lived within the Acklington, Amble and Warkworth area since his return to the UK in 1994. He first served as a District Councillor and from 2010 became elected member for Amble West with Warkworth in the Northumberland Unitary Authority. For the last 6 years Jeff has held a senior role as Cabinet Member responsible for Libraries, Tourism, Leisure, Museums and Theatres as well as supporting his own ward.

As Northumberland’s Armed Forces Champion, Jeff is proud to support the ex-service community. He previously served ten years as Chair of Warkworth & Amble RBL Branch. In the wider Amble community, even though his ward is not the town centre, he has been instrumental in progressing the Turner Street Car Park, installing speed awareness cameras and has donated funds to local charities including Amble Food Bank. Currently a Warkworth Harbour Commissioner he has chaired Amble Youth Project, served as a member of Amble Development Trust, Amble Town Councillor and a local magistrate.

Jeff is proud of his involvement in the exciting educational developments where £47 million is being spent on the new SEND school provision, the new King Edwin Primary school and the James Calvert Spence school, with new play zone and 3 G pitch. Jeff was also responsible for having South Avenue resurfaced.

Jeff believes that his co-operation with Amble Town Council has contributed to making Amble a vibrant visitor destination point providing new employment opportunities for the town.

Amble Ward

TERRY CLARK – Labour

Terry Clark

I would be honoured to represent the new ward of Amble and Hauxley after having served eight years representing Amble, Hauxley and North Broomhill working alongside town and parish councillors and Labour colleagues at County Hall, we have accomplished much, yet there is more work ahead, we have a new car park on Turner Street, a new high school starting to be built, King Edwin/Barndale modernised, new social bungalows being built converted from garages.

My commitment remains to advocate for the best possible education facilities for our children ensuring their needs and rights are prioritised.
Northumberland Labour will ensure everyone has access to local schools and SEND provisions in their communities.

Immediate action to repair and construct good quality affordable housing, improving council housing for local people.

A council that is open and transparent & more accountable. Giving pride in our communities, tidying up our areas, fighting crime and anti-social behaviour, WE WILL PUT NORTHUMBERLAND FIRST.

A county council can only run off the back of those who care and love the area and the work they provide for the community.

When you make your choice on the first of May even if you choose not to elect me, I hope this phrase stays with you: ELECT THOSE WHO HOPE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND ONLY THE COMMUNITY.

This election I stand before you after serving two terms as your county councillor, I ask for your support again as someone who has grown and lived in Amble most of my life, someone who loves this area, its people and who is running to serve the people of Amble and Hauxley and not for any self-interests, as a Labour group within County Hall we will continue to work effectively while listening to the community.

ARTY HUME – Reform

Arty Hume

In June 1971 I was an apprentice electrician, at Shilbottle Colliery, moving to Whittle Colliery and finally Ellington Colliery in 1987. I took redundancy and started work for Northumbria Police in 1992.Retirement from Northumbria Police came in December 2011.

I consider I have served my country, county and people of the area for most of my life. Amble obviously has special meaning to me personally having lived and been brought up in the area.

I believe I have acquired a certain knowledge, and feel for the people of the town, and I’m eager to help the small businesses together with young job seekers, farmers and local people in our area.

Has a CC ever had Amble as a priority? I hope together, Reform candidates can change that for the better.

My aim:

Supporting young adults with affordable housing!
There is no point in building numerous new houses in our area if our own youth cannot buy them. The whole infrastructure in Amble needs to be re assessed for suitability of purpose.

Economic benefits
Local jobs: Local people can invigorate the economy and help maintain our history and pride in our town.
Economic activity: CC needs to invest in new jobs and technologies to ensure its survival and prosperity.

Environmental benefits
Reduced carbon footprint: Local people should not have to travel far to pursue their work life balance. Working locally conserves fuel and reduces carbon emissions.
The integrity of the town would be strengthened, and a pride in our community would be gained.

Social benefits
Community building: Working and buying locally builds community ties and a sense of belonging.
Community education: Local business should be encouraged to take on apprentices so young people can get a start in life, we need to pass on local knowledge.

JENNY RICHARDS – Conservative

Jenny Richards

On May 1st Amble residents will have the opportunity to vote in the Northumberland County Council and Amble Town Council elections. As a passionate new resident, I bring energy and experience to help Amble achieve its full potential.

My husband Lee and I have been married for 26 years and have two children, Tom (25) and Bekka (23). We chose to make Amble our home to be closer to Bekka, who is completing her final year of medical school at Newcastle University. Both of our children share the values of public service, which I aim to bring to our community.

I believe small businesses are essential for thriving communities. As Company Secretary for our commercial landscaping and fencing business, I’ve worked with local authorities and architects during the planning stages of new developments. This experience will be valuable in ensuring that future housing projects in Amble meet the needs of the community. As we’ve gradually scaled back the business, I now have the time and commitment to serve as a local councillor.

Additionally, I spent six years as a Senior Parliamentary Assistant for a Member of Parliament, where I gained insight into handling local issues effectively. Having previously lived and worked in a new town, I understand the importance of planning and will focus on this area if elected.

With government housing targets increasing, I am dedicated to ensuring that new housing is built in the right areas, with proper infrastructure and affordable options for local residents. Only the Northumberland Conservatives will stand up to the Labour government’s 200% increase in housebuilding targets. I will hold developers accountable to planning conditions to ensure that new developments benefit our community.

Related article:

Amble hustings: ‘a great idea’ for local democracy

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