Sunderland welcomes new Mayor

The Castle ward councillor was officially sworn in as Mayor at a meeting of full council on Wednesday 15 May, with her partner Alistair Thomson who will serve alongside her as Consort.

They took over the ceremonial chains of office from the former Mayor, Councillor Dorothy Trueman and her husband and Consort, Cllr Harry Trueman.

Also sworn in by full Council as Deputy Mayor and Deputy Consort for 2024-2025 was Barnes ward member Cllr Ehthesham Haque, who will serve alongside his dad Mr Ashraf Haque.

Sunderland's new Mayor Councillor Allison Chisnall began her working life in care homes and has worked for the last 24 years in an energy company, where she also became a trade union representative. Through her work as a trade union representative, she became more active in her workplace and in the local community.

Cllr Chisnall was first elected to the council in 2022. She is a governor at Hylton Castle Primary School, a member on the Board of Hylton Castle Trust and Townend Farm Community Centre.

Mayor of Sunderland Cllr Chisnall, said: "This year I am looking forward to seeing everything happening in our city, meeting new people, and doing all I possibly can to support the great people of Sunderland.  

"Being Councillor is a busy role with many responsibilities, but it means I can do what I enjoy doing which is helping people, and during my term as the Mayor of Sunderland I will continue to serve constituents in my ward while taking on my new duties as Mayor."

The Mayor and Consort will be supporting three local charities during their year in office - Castletown Scouts Group, Hylton Castle Trust, and The Royalty Theatre which is celebrating its Centennial year.

Cllr Chisnall said: "Each of these charities and good causes do their utmost to improve the lives of our young people, they provide family based fun days and activities and run community programmes that helps to instil values, raise aspirations, and educate our future leaders.  I aim to raise the profile of each of my charities, highlight the community engagement work they do and raise much-needed funds for each of them."

The outgoing Mayor, Cllr Dorothy Trueman, said: "It has been an honour to serve as Mayor of Sunderland and I have enjoyed working with Councillor Chisnall during her time as deputy Mayor. I'd like to wish both her and her Consort Alistair all the best for the year ahead.

"I will look back on my year as Mayor fondly, it has been an honour to take part in events like the Remembrance Parade, Freedom of the City ceremonies and the Mayor's Civic Ball.

"Another thing which we are tremendously grateful for, is that we were able to raise  £25,000 for Sunderland charities The Special Lioness and Hug in a Bag."

The Mayor's Civic Sunday Service will be held at Castletown Methodist Church on Sunday 21 July. Members of public are welcome to attend but are asked to confirm via email at Mayor@Sunderland.gov.uk by no later than Monday 8 July.