Active Committees

Representations and complaints by an individual in respect of the discharge or failure to discharge Social Services functions relating to them.

This Panel determines all staff appeals against dismissal, demotion, the withholding of increments and decisions taken in respect of grievances. Panels of 3 Councillors are convened to hear appeals, as they arise. As the appeals are always of a confidential nature they are always held in private.

The Committee is delegated by the Council to approve the Authority's Statement of Accounts. It has an advisory role with respect to considering the effectiveness of arrangements for risk management, the internal control environment and the internal audit strategy and plan. The Committee also receives the external audit plan, considers external audit reports and reviews summaries of internal audits.

The Cabinet, also known as the Executive, is the part of the Council which is responsible for most day-to-day decisions. The Leader is appointed by the Council, who then appoints members to the Cabinet. The Cabinet is made up of the Leader, Deputy Leader and five Councillors or "Portfolio Holders". When key decisions are to be discussed or made, these are published in the 28 Day Notification of Publication of Proposed Key Decisions and Executive Decisions insofar as they can be anticipated. If these major decisions are to be discussed with Council Officers at a meeting of the Cabinet, this will generally be open for the public to attend, except where personal or confidential matters are being discussed. The Cabinet has to make decisions which are in line with the Council's overall policies and budget. If it wishes to make a decision which is outside the budget or policy framework, this must be referred to the full City Council to decide.

The Committee only meets when urgent matters need to be considered. It comprises the Leader, the Deputy Leader and the appropriate Portfolio Holder for the matter to be discussed.

The Committee consists of five Cabinet Members, including the Portfolio Holder for Children's Services and meets to consider school organisation proposals which may include establishing a new school, closing a school, expanding a school or making other significant changes to a school.

The Coalfield Area Committee provides local residents with a greater say in Council affairs. Its role is mainly a consultative one, considering reports of local concern and approving spending proposals within the limits of its delegated budget. The Committee is comprised of all Members of the Copt Hill, Hetton, Houghton and Shiney Row Wards.

The City Council is where all 75 Councillors meet together to discuss major issues. Its main role is to agree the annual budget and major policies of the Council. The Council is also responsible for agreeing the Council's Constitution, appointing the Leader of the Council and appointing Councillors to Council Committees. The Leader appoints his/her Cabinet or Executive and at Council meetings Councillors can ask the Leader and Members of his/her Executive, questions about their work in running the Council. Councillors can also debate issues which concern the City and once a year the Leader can hold a debate about the State of the City.

Members' Monthly Digest is a briefing for City Councillors which records of the decisions taken by Chief Officers exercising their delegated powers under the Council's Constitution. The Digest does not include executive and key decisions made by Cabinet, please see the Notice of Key Decisions and the record of executive decisions.

The East Sunderland Area Committee provides local residents with a greater say in Council affairs. Its role is mainly a consultative one, considering reports of local concern and approving spending proposals within the limits of its delegated budget. The Committee is comprised of all Members of the Doxford, Hendon, Millfield, Ryhope and St. Michael's Wards.

This Panel meet to consider the appointment of approved candidates as LEA Governors to primary and secondary schools in Sunderland.

To consider complaints of unreasonable behaviour under Section 409 of the Education Act 1996.

To determine appeals under Section 202 of the Housing Act 1996 in respect of the Council's duties to homeless persons.

The Committee exercises the functions in relation to appointments as provided by the Employment Procedure Rules and exercises the Council's non-executive functions in relation to human resources matters.

The Committee establishes regular methods of consultation and negotiation between the Local Authority and Trade Unions in order to prevent differences and to adjust them should they arise.

The Licensing and Regulatory Committee is the statutory licensing committee of the Council for the purposes of section 6 of the Licensing Act 2003 and exercises the decision-making functions of the Council in relation to matters arising under the Gambling Act 2005 or other legislation in relation to the Council’s functions in respect of gambling. The Licensing and Regulatory Committee shall exercise the function of designating streets for the purpose of street trading and for the purpose of the free distribution of printed matter under Schedule 3A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the function of designating areas as alarm notification areas for the purpose of Part 7 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 (and varying or rescinding such designations) and shall exercise the functions of considering the grant, refusal, amendment and cancellation of licences, certificates, permits or registration in respect of: Common land; Hackney carriage and private hire vehicles and their operators and drivers; Sex establishments; Street and house to house collections; Street and market trading; and Town and village greens.

The Licensing Sub-Committee exercises the licensing function delegated to it under Section 7 of the Licensing Act 2003 and Section 154 of the Gambling Act 2005 to consider the grant, refusal, variation and issue of any counter notice and cancellation of licences, certificates, permits or registration in respect of premises licences, Club/Gaming Club Machine Permits, amusements with prizes, lotteries, prize bingo and applications for other permits under the Gaming Act.

The Licensing Committee exercises the licensing function delegated to it under Section 7 of the Licensing Act 2003 and Section 154 of the Gambling Act 2005 to consider the grant, refusal, variation and issue of any counter notice and cancellation of licences, certificates, permits or registration in respect of premises licences, Club/Gaming Club Machine Permits, amusements with prizes, lotteries, prize bingo and applications for other permits under the Gaming Act.

The Licensing Sub-Committee exercises the licensing function delegated to it under Section 7 of the Licensing Act 2003 and Section 154 of the Gambling Act 2005 to consider the grant, refusal, variation and issue of any counter notice and cancellation of licences, certificates, permits or registration in respect of premises licences, Club/Gaming Club Machine Permits, amusements with prizes, lotteries, prize bingo and applications for other permits under the Gaming Act.

The North Sunderland Area Committee provides local residents with a greater say in Council affairs. Its role is mainly a consultative one, considering reports of local concern and approving spending proposals within the limits of its delegated budget. The Committee is comprised of all Members of the Castle, Fulwell, Redhill, Southwick and St. Peter's Wards.

Where notice is given of decisions (whether proposed to be taken in public or in private) and of Executive Decisions (including Key Decisions) intended to be considered in a private meeting.

The Children’s Trust was formed to promote co-operation and accountability for the outcomes of Children’s Services between the Authority and its partners. The Members of the Trust are drawn from the organisations across the City who provide services for children including the Strategic Health Authority, the Local Probation Board and the Learning and Skills Council. The aims of the Trust are to improve the well-being of children in Sunderland in respect of physical and mental health and emotional well-being, protection from harm and neglect, education, training and recreation, the contribution made by them to society and social and economic well-being.

The Council provide administrative and treasury support to assist the Trust provide special benefits of any kind not normally provided by the Local Authority for the pupils of Richard Avenue School as from time to time may be agreed between the Trustees and Governors of the school.

The Council have a close relationship with the Company and provide administrative and treasury support to the Raich Carter Sports Centre and have a number of Councillors appointed onto the Board of Directors. The companies' objects are to promote and advance the social, health, economic and educational well-being of residents in Hendon and the East End of Sunderland and adjoining areas without distinction to age, ability, race, ethnic origin, sex or creed.

The membership of the Trust comprises 6 councillors who meet to consider applications for grant funding from organisations in Sunderland for the benefit of the disabled. The Samuel Dobson Trust meets approximately once a year.

SACRE comprises representatives of the Council, Teachers, the Church of England, Free Churches and other faiths. Its role is to advise the Local Education Authority upon such matters connected with religious worship in county schools and the religious education to be given in accordance with an agreed syllabus as the Authority may refer to the Council or as the Council may see fit. For copy of Sunderland's Agreed Syllabus 2021-2026 please see Public Documents Header

The Board has an advisory role to promote, in particular, the development of partnerships for the delivery of Adult Social Care Services and encourage fresh thinking and new approaches to service delivery which promote the ability to meet the outcomes and aspirations of the Government's White Paper "Our Health, Our Care, Our Say; A New Direction for Community Services".

The Authority formulates policies and principal objectives, approves the annual statement of internal control, make, alter and revoke Standing Orders, determine the precept to be made, arrange the audit of accounts, prioritise capital schemes, determine Members' allowances and acquire land and buildings.

The Committee, where appropriate, shortlist and interview candidates and make appointments for the posts of Chief Fire Officer, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Assistant Chief Fire Officers and Chief Emergency Planning Officer.

The Committee determines all appeals by employees of the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority (other than Principal Officers) against dismissal.

The Committee deals with any matter of urgency which may arise between meetings of the Authority or Committee.

The Committee provides independent assurance of the adequacy of the risk management framework and the associated control environment, independent scrutiny of the Authority's financial and non-financial performance to the extent that it effects the Authority's exposure to risk and weakens the control environment, oversees the financial reporting process and promotes and maintains high standards of conduct by Members of the Authority.

The Committee meets to determine and approve the establishment and terms and conditions of all employees of the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority above SCP 57, subject to those matters delegated to the Chief Fire Officer, the Emergency Planning Officer and the Personnel Advisor to the Authority.

The Sub-Committee hears and determines appeals whereby the employee has a right of appeal and the decision leading to the appeal has been taken by the Human Resources Committee, including appeals by Principal Officers against decisions of the Human Resources Committee in disciplinary proceedings.

The purpose of this Committee is to scrutinise performance information and reports in respect of its duty to secure best value and to consider policy initiatives in respect of emerging issues.

The role of Trustees is to promote community participation in healthy recreation and to consider requests for financial assistance from clubs, societies or individuals aged 25 years or under for sporting or leisure time activities in Washington. The Trust comprises five councillors, including the Portfolio Holder for Public Health, Wellness and Culture.

The Committee covers the eastern area of the City comprising the Barnes, Castle, Doxford, Fulwell, Hendon, Millfield, Pallion, Redhill, Ryhope, Sandhill, Silksworth, Southwick, St Anne’s, St Chad’s, St Michael’s and St Peter’s wards. The Committee decides on those planning applications made in its area of the City that have not been delegated to the Executive Director of City Development to determine. It also considers and recommends action to be taken where statutory representations or objections have been received in respect of any Orders proposed by the Executive Director of City Development under the Highways Act 1980, the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 or the New Roads and Streetworks Act 1991.

The Committee covers the western area of the City comprising the Copt Hill, Hetton, Houghton, Shiney Row, Washington Central, Washington East, Washington North, Washington South and Washington West wards. The Committee decides on those planning applications made in its area of the City that have not been delegated to the Executive Director of City Development to determine. It also considers and recommends action to be taken where statutory representations or objections have been received in respect of any Orders proposed by the Executive Director of City Development under the Highways Act 1980, the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 or the New Roads and Streetworks Act 1991.

The Committee considers and recommends action to be taken where statutory representations or objections have been received in respect of any Orders proposed by the Executive Director of City Development under the Highways Act 1980, the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 or the New Roads and Streetworks Act 1991.

The Sub-Committee decides on those planning applications made in the Hetton, Houghton and Washington Area of the City that have not been delegated to the Executive Director of City Development to determine.

The Sub-Committee decides on those planning applications made in the North Area of the City that have not been delegated to the Executive Director of City Development to determine.

The Sub-Committee decides on those planning applications made in the South Area of the City that have not been delegated to the Executive Director of City Development to determine.

The Board is responsible for the discharge of the Council's statutory and commercial functions in relation to the Port of Sunderland.

For use in the case of Decisions (including Key Decisions) made by Officers under Delegated Powers

A record of key decisions made by officers under delegate powers. A key decision means an executive decision which is likely; • to result in the local authority incurring expenditure which is, or the making of savings which are, significant having regard to the local authority’s budget for the service or function to which the decision relates; or • to be significant in terms of its effects on communities living or working in an area comprising two or more wards in the City ‘Significant’ in terms of budget means £250,000 of more in the case of capital expenditure, and £100,000 or 1% of the net revenue budget head, whichever is the greater, in the case of revenue expenditure.

This Committee exercises the function of designating streets for the purpose of street trading, the free distribution of printed matter and designating areas as alarm notification areas under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. The Committee exercises the functions of considering the grant refusal, amendment and cancellation of licences, certificates, permits or registration in respect of:- common land; hackney carriage and private hire vehicles and their operators and drivers; hypnotism performers; safety of sports grounds; sex establishments; street and house to house collections; street and market trading and town and village greens.

The Scrutiny Coordinating Committee is responsible for reviewing and scrutinising the functions of the Council relating in particular to the Budget; Corporate Plan; External Assessment; Performance monitoring, quality standards and value for money; Property and facilities management; Information technology; Organisational development; Workforce strategy; Governance; Customer service and communications. It also acts as the designated scrutiny committee for statutory purposes for crime, disorder and flood risk. It is also responsible for determining where issues should be allocated to where matters fell within the remit of more than one thematic scrutiny committee.

The Children, Education and Skills Scrutiny Committee is responsible for reviewing and scrutinising any matter relating to the service performance and commissioning for children, young people and their families including: Safeguarding and child protection; Family support and children's social care; Corporate parenting; Education attainment and skills; Relationship with schools; Youth services.

The Economic Prosperity Scrutiny Committee is responsible for reviewing and scrutinising and matter relating to the economic prosperity of the city and the performance of services to support that including: Physical infrastructure; Sector Growth & Skills; Economic Vibrancy; Safer Sunderland; Licensing & Trading Standards; Strategic Transport; Environmental services; Libraries, heritage and tourism.

The Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee is responsible for reviewing and scrutinising any matter relating to the service performance, service provision and the commissioning of health services for adults and children including: Adult social care; Mental health services; Public Health; Wellness; Decent Homes. The Committee also acts as the designated scrutiny committee for statutory purposes for health.

To consider the reconfiguration proposals of South Tyneside and Sunderland Health Care Group.

The Committee is concerned with promoting, maintaining and advising on high standards of conduct by Councillors and Co-opted Members of the City Council and in relation to Hetton Town Council.

Comprising of three Members of the Standards Committee; determines whether a complaint against a Member of the Council should be investigated.

Comprising three Members of the Standards Committee. Hears complaints about Members of the Council.

The Health and Social Care Bill requires each local authority to establish a Health and Wellbeing Board which brings together key NHS, public health and social care leaders.

The Supportive Parenting Partnership takes the lead oversight in exercising the City Council's responsibilities as Corporate Parent, and ensuring that all Council policies reflect this.

The Washington Area Committee provides local residents with a greater say in Council affairs. Its role is mainly a consultative one, considering reports of local concern and approving spending proposals within the limits of its delegated budget. The Committee is comprised of all Members of the Washington Central, East, North, South and West Wards.

The West Area Committee provides local residents with a greater say in Council affairs. Its role is mainly a consultative one, considering reports of local concern and approving spending proposals within the limits of its delegated budget. The Committee is comprised of all Members of the Sandhill, Barnes, Pallion, Silksworth, St. Anne's and St. Chad's Wards.