Former mayor 'honoured' by Freedom of Borough

2 days ago

News image — Dame Norma Redfearn said she would "cherish" the honour

North Tyneside Council Dame Norma Redfearn, with short brown/grey hair, wears a navy dress suit. The dress is also navy with pink patterned flowers on it. She is signing a book which is on a table with a tartan tablecloth yellow tulips. — Dame Norma Redfearn said she would "cherish" the honour

A former three-term mayor has said she is "honoured" to be granted the council's highest honour.

Dame Norma Redfearn was presented with the Freedom of North Tyneside last week in recognition of her "extraordinary leadership" and the "transformative change" brought to the area during her tenure.

Her successor, Mayor Karen Clark, put forward the Labour veteran's nomination, which was unanimously agreed upon in July.

Dame Norma said she would "cherish" the recognition after spending 12 years in power.

She was elected to lead the council three times and served as mayor from 2013 to 2025.

She announced in 2025 that she would step down, with Clark selected as Labour's candidate for that year's mayoral election.

Clark narrowly fended off Reform UK's candidate by 444 ballots.

North Tyneside Council Mayor of North Tyneside Dame Norma Redfearn in a black skirt, red blazer and black and white blouse, cutting a red ribbon outside a stone building. She is surrounded by six men, all in suits. — Dame Norma was mayor of North Tyneside for 12 years

Clark said: "Over 12 years, her leadership brought transformative change to the borough.

"She stabilised the council through some of the most challenging financial periods in recent history, protecting essential services and securing thousands of jobs and new businesses."

The Labour mayor added that Dame Norma ensured North Tyneside retained its libraries, leisure centres and parks while other areas "saw widespread closures".