New council boss to take the helm
A North East council boss is set to take the top job at Sunderland City Council with a £180,000 a year pay packet.
Patrick Melia, who is currently chief executive at North Tyneside Council, is due to take up his post in August.
Mr Melia replace Irene Lucas, who joined Sunderland on an interim basis in 2016.
Mr Melia was born in Jarrow, has lived in South Tyneside all his life, and has been chief executive at North Tyneside Council since 2013.
He was previously a corporate director at South Tyneside Council.
The top officer will now become one of the highestpaid chief executives in the North East with about £32,000 a year added to his current pay packet. He is currently paid £147,915 per year, according to latest figures.
Opposition councillors raised questions about his salary.
Leader of the SCC’s Conservative group, Robert Oliver, asked council leader Graeme Miller if the authority had explored reducing the salary, which was “higher than the prime minister”.
The council leader explained the salary was “commensurate with the post”.
Mr Melia said: “As a council, Sunderland will continue developing efficient, successful and sustainable services for residents, and attract investment to help the city grow and provide an economic boost for everyone.”