'Larger than life character' elected as new mayor of Sunderland
Sunderland’s new mayor has been described as a “fine ambassador for the city”.
Councillor Robert Hutchinson, Reform UK councillor for Farringdon and Silksworth, has taken on the ceremonial role.
He will be supported by Tunstall and Humbledon Reform UK councillor Glenda Hall, as mayoress.
The pair were officially sworn in at a meeting of the full council at City Hall.
They took over the ceremonial chains of office from retiring mayor Labour councillor Ehthesham Haque and mayoress Lynda Scanlan.
The new mayor will also be supported by Reform UK councillor for Southwick, Jannine Morrow, who will serve as Deputy Mayor alongside her husband George Morrow as consort, taking over from Deputy Mayor Melanie Thornton and her deputy mayoress.
Cllr Hutchinson was described by colleagues as a “larger than life character” who has worked in the music and events industry with big names including Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, the Rolling Stones and more.
Cllr Bill Blackett, who nominated the Silksworth councillor for the Mayor of Sunderland role, said he would be able to regale Sunderland residents with “fascinating stories” from his life, and would be a “fine ambassador for the city”.
Cllr Hutchinson, in his first speech to the council chamber, thanked the outgoing mayor and mayoress and described the Mayor of Sunderland role as the “greatest honour of my life”.
He also paid tribute to legendary local music promoter, the late Geoff Docherty, who brought many high-profile bands to Sunderland in the 1960s and 1970s, describing him as a “close friend and mentor”.
As a member of the Sunderland Antiquarians Society, he also noted Sunderland’s “incredible history”, as well as praising the city’s “beautiful coastline, great heritage and above all, the friendliest people in the world.”
He also confirmed he would donate his allowances to Wearside charities, which are yet to be chosen.
“I’ve worked on some massive productions but I feel what I’m heading into is going to be even bigger,” Cllr Hutchinson added.
The outgoing Mayor of Sunderland, Ehthesham Haque, said it had been “the honour and privilege of my life to serve as the mayor of this great and ancient city,” and wished the new mayor and deputy mayor well.
Cllr Haque said in his time as Deputy Mayor and then Mayor of Sunderland, he had attended more than 340 engagements with the “great privilege of meeting the most incredible people”.
Memorable occasions during Cllr Haque’s Mayoral year included the Women’s Rugby World Cup opening at the Stadium of Light, the opening of the new Keel Crossing Footbridge, the remembrance day parade, the council’s New Year’s Eve fireworks event and more.
Cllr Haque, who was the city’s youngest ever Mayor when appointed last year, added: “Sunderland is a city on the up with hundreds of millions of pounds of investments and various developments under way and great events in the pipeline for our residents to enjoy.
“Our city is undergoing a massive regeneration and I wish the council the best of luck in keeping these developments and investments ongoing.”
Cllr Haque also thanked family, friends and colleagues for their support and confirmed more than £26,600 had been raised for charities Love Amelia and Hopespring during his mayoral year.