Sunderland’s new Mayor is sworn in

SUNDERLAND’S new Mayor, Councillor Dorothy Trueman, has officially been sworn in.

The ward councillor for Washington West was sworn in as Mayor at a meeting of full council on Wednesday, with her husband councillor Harry Trueman, who will serve alongside her.

They took over the ceremonial chains of office from the former Mayor, councillor Alison Smith and her husband and Consort, David Smith.

Also sworn in by full council as Deputy Mayor and Deputy Consort for 2023-2024 was Castle ward member, councillor Allison Chisnall and her partner Alistair Thomson.

Coun Trueman, a mother-oftwo and grandmother of one, began her working life at Pyrex as an office clerk, where she met her husband Harry, and then went on to work in post offices and the Sunderland Crown office for 20 years. She was first elected to the council in 2010 and has served on various committees, including as a member of the adoption panel for several years.

Mayor of Sunderland councillor Trueman, said: “I am very much looking forward to the year ahead, celebrating and promoting the great people, businesses, charities, organisations, community associations and more based in this wonderful city we get to call home.”

The Mayor and Consort have chosen two local charities to support during their year in office Special Lioness and Hug in a Bag.

Special Lioness is a Sunderland-based charity started in 2020 that supports families with disabled children, and Hug in a Bag was founded in Sunderland in 2006, providing information and gift packs to people diagnosed with breast cancer. The outgoing Mayor, councillor Alison Smith, said it had been an honour to serve as Mayor of Sunderland.