Sunderland supermarket worker who served as city leader stands down from top team

One of Sunderland’s longest serving city councillors has explained her reasons for beginning to step back from decision-making.
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A reshuffle at the top of Sunderland City Council has seen Amy Wilson removed from a new-look slimmed down cabinet team.

But Coun Wilson, who has represented Pallion on the city council for 16 years, says she shouldn’t even be a councillor anymore, let alone a member of the executive committee, as she had already decided not to stand for reelection this year.

“My cabinet position doesn’t exist anymore,” she said.

Councillor Amy Wilson has served on Sunderland City Council for 16 yearsCouncillor Amy Wilson has served on Sunderland City Council for 16 years
Councillor Amy Wilson has served on Sunderland City Council for 16 years

“I wouldn’t even be a councillor anymore if it hadn’t been decided to cancel [May’s local elections].

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“I’ve done 16 years as a councillor so I think I’ve done my bit and I was quite happy to retire, but no one expected this to happen, so here I am.”

Coun Wilson’s previous responsibilities as cabinet member for Environment and Transport have been folded into the portfolio of deputy council leader Michael Mordey, reducing the overall number of councillors on the top team.

She added Coun Mordey was the ‘best person’ to take over her role as he already has previous experience of it.

Councillor Amy Wilson has served on Sunderland City Council for 16 yearsCouncillor Amy Wilson has served on Sunderland City Council for 16 years
Councillor Amy Wilson has served on Sunderland City Council for 16 years

The supermarket worker, who is due to turn 60 next year, has been a city councillor since 2004, putting her among the top 10 longest continually serving city councillors.

Fellow Labour councillor Peter Gibson has held his seat continually the longest and was first elected in 1986.

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Local elections were due to be held in May but were cancelled due to COVID-19 and are now expected to take in 2021.

Reflecting on her time in the council chamber, Coun Wilson praised the work of previous former leader, the late Paul Watson, and the recent work of staff during the coronavirus outbreak.

Councillor Amy Wilson has served on Sunderland City Council for 16 yearsCouncillor Amy Wilson has served on Sunderland City Council for 16 years
Councillor Amy Wilson has served on Sunderland City Council for 16 years

And she even had fond words for former Conservative leader Lee Martin, who once headed a group of 21 opposition councillors, and the ‘fantastic debates’ it led to.

“I’m not massively political but I love where I live, I’m very passionate about where I live,” Coun Wilson said.

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“I’ve been a school governor, I’ve been involved in residents’ associations, I’ve spoken my mind and if I don’t think something’s right I’ve said that.

“I’m not here to make people like me.

“But the people of Pallion voted me in to represent them and that is what I’ve done for 16 years – now it’s going to be 17 years.”

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