Sunderland welcomes a new Mayor

They took over the ceremonial chains of office from the former Mayor, Councillor David Snowdon, and his wife and ward councillor for Washington Central, Cllr Dianne Snowdon.

Also sworn in by full Council as Deputy Mayor and her Consort 2021-2022 respectively, were Cllr Alison Smith and her husband, David Smith.

The new Mayor of Sunderland, Cllr Henry Trueman, also known as Harry, was first elected to the council in May 1995, and has previously served as the Deputy Leader and Leader of Sunderland City Council, as well as serving on several council committees.

These include serving as Chair of Standards Committee, as well a member on the Sunderland Adults Partnership Board, the Appeals Panel, the Corporate Parenting Board, the Audit and Governance Committee. He currently represents on the Washington Area Committee.

Sunderland's new Mayor began his working life as a motor engineering apprentice, before working at Pyrex for 13 years. He also spent almost 25 years with BT, where he was trained to work with customers with disabilities, providing communication equipment to meet their needs.

The Mayor, Cllr Trueman, said: "Having served as the Leader and Deputy Leader of Sunderland City Council, I was given the incredible experience of being able to get to know the many different residents throughout the city. There are so many diverse groups that make up our communities, and during my term of office as Mayor I look forward to continuing meeting as many people and organisations as I can.

"The civic role of the Mayoral Office encompasses everything from raising ceremonial flags to raising money for charity, and I will continue to work hard to raise the profile of Sunderland wherever I can."

The Mayor and Mayoress have chosen The Special Lioness and Hug in a Bag as the Mayoral Charities during their term of office.

Taking over the ceremonial chains of office for the year ahead Cllr Trueman also paid tribute to his predecessors, adding: "It has been a fantastic two years serving as Deputies and working with Cllr David Snowdon and the Mayoress, his wife Cllr Dianne Snowdon.

"They represented our city for an extended period, working throughout the global pandemic, and were able to set a brilliant example to our residents throughout such unique times.

"I'd like to thank them both for their support while we were Deputies preparing for this day."

The outgoing Mayor, Cllr David Snowdon, said: "At the start of our term in office as Mayor, none of us expected that we would still be in office now, having continued through a global pandemic. Cllr Trueman and his wife, Cllr Dorothy Trueman, were great support as deputies, and they brilliantly took on the roles throughout such unprecedented times.

"The Mayoress and I wish them both well and look back on the last two years for the city and for us both personally, with so many highlights."