Business doubles at Port of Sunderland

According to a report for harbour bosses ‘cargo throughput and turnover’ has increased since 2010.

And it has been decided to keep current management arrangements in place at the facility, which is owned by Sunderland City Council, although other changes at the 240-acre site are expected in the future.

“It was considered this was an appropriate time to undertake a review [of governance], given the board structure has been in place for 10 years now,” said Jonathan Rowson, the city council’s Specialist Lead on commercial law.

“It has also allowed us to take into account up to date Department for Transport guidance on port governance.

“Taking those factors into account, it has been concluded the existing board structure remains fit for purpose and in line with best practice.”

Rowson was speaking at a meeting of the city council’s Port Board, which was held by video conference and broadcast via Youtube.

Opening the session, Graeme Miller, the leader of the council, said he thought it ‘important the council is seen to be getting on with business and running its facilities’.

According to a report for councillors, since 2010 there has been ‘significant investment by the Council in the Port estate and its infrastructure’.

However an ‘independent options’ study last year by banking group BNP Paribas criticised a ‘legacy of underinvestment’ and underdevelopment at the port.

Speaking at the meeting, Coun Michael Mordey, who has been a member of the Port Board ‘since its inception’ about 10 years ago, asked if he would be affected by recommendations to regularly refresh the committee’s membership.

He was told this was intended to apply mainly to the board’s ‘non-executive independent members’.

The report highlighted the ‘departure’ of two previous independent members after about a decade and recommended the posts be reviewed and updated to reflect the ‘relevant skills and experience’ needed.

Coun Peter Wood, an opposition Conservative member of the board, supported the suggestions, but added he regretted the loss of the previous independent members.

This view was also supported by fellow opposition city councillor and Liberal Democrat George Smith.

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