Newcastle City Council is the local government authority for the city and metropolitan borough of Newcastle upon Tyne. The council consists of 78 councillors, three for each of the city's 26 wards. It is currently controlled by the Labour Party, led by Councillor Nick Forbes. Councillor Habib Rahman serves as the Lord Mayor and Councillor Karen Robinson serves as Deputy Lord Mayor and Sheriff. The council is a member of the North of Tyne Combined Authority.