Sunderland culture chief retires after decade helping city buzz and glow

The city leader who oversaw projects including the Fire Station Arts Centre, Tall Ships race and Sunderland’s City of Culture bid has stepped down.
By James Harrison
Published 1st Sep 2020, 13:19 BST
Councillor John Kelly has left his role as the cabinet member for culture. He was due to retire from the council in May, before local elections were cancelled due to the pandemic.Councillor John Kelly has left his role as the cabinet member for culture. He was due to retire from the council in May, before local elections were cancelled due to the pandemic.
Councillor John Kelly has left his role as the cabinet member for culture. He was due to retire from the council in May, before local elections were cancelled due to the pandemic.

John Kelly has held the culture portfolio in various forms for almost a decade.

But ahead of his plans to step down as a city councillor at the 2021 elections, responsibilities have been handed over to his cabinet colleague Linda Williams.

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Cllr Williams, the current deputy cabinet member for Children, Learning and Skills, will take over at a challenging time for arts, culture and leisure on Wearside, with many ventures and venues shuttered or operating at limited capacity due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Councillor John Kelly at Sunderland Illuminations, which returned under his time in office.Councillor John Kelly at Sunderland Illuminations, which returned under his time in office.
Councillor John Kelly at Sunderland Illuminations, which returned under his time in office.

But Cllr Kelly thinks he will be leaving his successor in a strong position.

He said: “We have a positive future and I’m sure everyone will continue to work hard for the different cultural elements of the city.”

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Cllr Williams, in turn, feels she also leaves her portfolio covering children’s services in a strong position and praised the work of cabinet member Louise Farthing and children’s services director Jill Colbert for their work turning around the department rocked by a damning Ofsted inspection in 2015.

Councillor John Kelly admires the illuminations in Roker Park, Sunderland. Councillor John Kelly admires the illuminations in Roker Park, Sunderland.
Councillor John Kelly admires the illuminations in Roker Park, Sunderland.
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Looking ahead to her new role overseeing the ‘Vibrant City’ brief, Cllr Williams said she was keen to promote Wearside’s heritage with projects such as Washington’s F Pit, while also looking to the future.

She added: “I don’t have a pre-judged idea of what I will go in to do, I will have to see what the priorities are as they come through.”

The change marks the second reshuffle in the ruling cabinet in the space of a week, with previous deputy council leader Michael Mordey removed from the role due to ‘internal Labour Party politics’.

“John Kelly should have retired in May, had there been local elections [which were cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak],” said council leader Graeme Miller.

Councillor John Kelly at a First World War re-enactment at Hylton Castle. His time in office saw the completion of work to bring the ruined building back into use for the community, and as a visitor attraction.Councillor John Kelly at a First World War re-enactment at Hylton Castle. His time in office saw the completion of work to bring the ruined building back into use for the community, and as a visitor attraction.
Councillor John Kelly at a First World War re-enactment at Hylton Castle. His time in office saw the completion of work to bring the ruined building back into use for the community, and as a visitor attraction.
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“I had already aligned his replacement and I then had the awkward situation of having a cabinet member in place with someone waiting to come in.

“So I asked [Linda Williams] to hold on so John could finish some work, which he has now done and asked to go back to being a regular councillor.”

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John Kelly with Councilor Doris McKnight and Jon Charlton, project director, as work pressed ahead on Hylton CastleJohn Kelly with Councilor Doris McKnight and Jon Charlton, project director, as work pressed ahead on Hylton Castle
John Kelly with Councilor Doris McKnight and Jon Charlton, project director, as work pressed ahead on Hylton Castle

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Related topics:Sunderland