Departing Sunderland City Council leader Graeme Miller hails transformation of city as he leaves his role

The outgoing leader of Sunderland City Council has hailed the transformation of the city as he leaves his role.

Councillor Graeme Miller leaves the top job after six years in office.

As reported in the Echo, Sunderland’s Labour Group has appointed Councillor Michael Mordey as its new leader, and Councillor Kelly Chequer as deputy leader.

With Labour holding the most number of seats on the council, the move means they are now set to take on the council leader and council deputy leader roles.

A full council meeting will take place where all councillors will officially vote on the appointments.

Councillor Miller has led the council since 2018, having previously been the council's cabinet member for Health, Housing and Adult Services.

Speaking after his resignation, Councillor Miller said: “It has been an honour to lead Sunderland City Council for the last six years and I stand down knowing the council is in a sound position and delivering good services for our communities.

“This has been a time of unprecedented regeneration and transformation in our city with billions of pounds of investment and a vastly improved city centre and more vibrant seafront, and I’m proud of the role I’ve been able to play in driving this forward.

“I’m also pleased to have played my part in helping to secure the new Mayoral combined authority deal for the North East and the trailblazer deal that comes with it, which will offer real opportunities for the residents of the North-East and Sunderland.

“It has been a great privilege to deliver positive change on behalf of the wonderful residents of our city in my six years as leader but I believe the time has come to step back and concentrate on my own health and family life.

“As a frontline councillor I will continue to work hard for the residents of Washington South who it has been my honour to serve since 2006."

The new Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Allison Chisnall will also be officially sworn in as Mayor at a full meeting of the council at City Hall next Wednesday, May 15.

A further meeting will then take place on May 20 to confirm the leader and deputy roles. A new cabinet of senior councillors is also expected to be announced on the same day.

Councillors Mordey and Chequer were chosen for their roles after intervention from the Labour Party nationally, which has placed the Sunderland Labour Group under its controversial ‘Campaign Improvement Board’ scheme.

Concerned were raised by both Labour and opposition councillors over the move, with questions raised on democracy.

The Labour Party said its National Executive Committee (NEC) interviewed and shortlisted prospective role holders, something the party said was ‘not an unusual intervention’ and adhered its internal processes.