Everything you need to know about landmark Sunderland 2026 local elections that will reset political map

Sunderland City Council will be holding “all-out” local elections in May, 2026, following a major review of the city’s electoral wards.

The review from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) recently took place as part of a process which aims to update electoral wards to account for several factors, including changes in population, with the new boundaries then elected via a full council election.

It has been around 20 years since an all-out election in Sunderland and the latest boundary review process included public consultation and final recommendations which were presented to Parliament, with the new arrangements confirmed earlier this year (2025).

The LGBCE’s website states that it aims to make sure that, within an authority, each councillor represents a similar number of electors, as well as “creating boundaries that are appropriate” which also “reflect community ties and identities.”

There was no change in the number of councillors in Sunderland City Council as part of the latest review, which will remain at 75 councillors, with three councillors elected to represent each of the council’s 25 wards.

An infographics report on the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s website states that final recommendations aimed to “make sure Sunderland councillors represent a similar number of electors” and that Sunderland will move to wards where “each councillor represents an average of 2,949 electors.”

The website also shows an interactive map which outlines the boundary changes and how the commission arrived at their final recommendations.

Boundary changes in Sunderland are expected to affect “all but one ward” (a total of 24 wards), with several new wards created and old ward names removed.

Several previous ward names removed include St Anne’s, St Chad’s, St Michael’s and St Peters, along with name changes to previous wards including Barnes, Castle, Copt Hill, Doxford, Hendon, Millfield, Pallion, Redhill and Sandhill.

The full list of new wards north of the river Wear, near Sunderland city centre, include Hylton Castle, Redhouse, Southwick, Fulwell and Roker.

South of the river, the new ward names are Pennywell & South Hylton, Pallion & Ford, Deptford & Hendon, Barnes & Thornhill, Grindon & Thorney Close, Tunstall & Humbledon, a ward referred to as Grangetown and the three wards of Farringdon & Silksworth, Ryhope and Doxford Park.

Other ward names in the Coalfields area of the city, including those retained from previous arrangements, include the ward of Hetton, a ward named Houghton South & Hetton Downs, a ward named Houghton North, a ward named Herrington & Newbottle and a ward named Penshaw & Shiney Row.

In Washington, five wards will continue to be named Washington South, Washington East, Washington North, Washington West and Washington Central.

Sunderland City Council normally elects councillors ‘by thirds’ with one councillor in each of the city’s 25 wards elected to a city council seat in a normal round of local elections.

As part of the all-out elections in May, 2026, revised ward boundaries will be elected for the first time with all 75 council seats contested on one night, marking a major political event for the city.

Hundreds of candidates are expected to throw their hat in the ring to contest Sunderland City Council’s new wards, with the final result set to determine the future political make-up and political leadership of the local authority.

The council will be contacting city residents in coming months to outline the new boundary arrangements and how residents can get involved in local democracy and ensure their vote counts.

Patrick Melia, the local authority’s chief executive officer and returning officer, said the council will be “looking towards running an efficient and accurate count for all candidates, voters and agents” in May, 2026.

“Following the Local Government Boundary Commission review, electoral ward boundaries will be changing in Sunderland,” the council chief added.

“These changes will come into effect at the next local elections to Sunderland City Council in May, 2026.

“As part of preparations for the elections in May, we will be writing to every household in February to encourage residents to check their electoral registration details are up to date.

“The letter will also outline the new arrangements, including the names of the new wards, a link to a map showing their geographical boundaries, designated polling stations where possible, and details of how to register to vote and vote by post.

“The last all-out election to the city council was 20 years ago. It was a challenge at the time, and every election presents challenges as electoral law and arrangements around elections are regularly updated.

“For more recent elections we have seen requirements for voters going to a polling station to bring a form of photo ID, such as a driving licence or their passport before they are issued with their ballot paper.

“Undoubtedly as the first all-out elections for 20 years there are challenges, yet we have a strong electoral team here and they have been planning and preparing for this election since the changes were confirmed in May, 2025.

“As ever the city council will be looking towards running an efficient and accurate count for all candidates, voters and agents in May.

“We will also be encouraging anyone who is not already on the electoral register to apply, so that they don’t miss out on the opportunity to vote in the May elections.”

For more information on the local boundary changes, visit: https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/sunderland