The City of Sunderland has a total of 75 Councillors.  In elections the City area is divided into 25 electoral areas called Wards.   The people in each ward are represented by three City Councillors, each elected for a four-year term.  

Most Councillors represent political parties, although they do not have to. In Sunderland, most of the current Councillors are from the Labour Party, and therefore the Council is Labour-controlled.  Some Councillors are paid special responsibility allowances e.g. the Leader of the Council, Deputy Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holders and Chairs and Vice Chairs.  Generally other Councillors receive a basic allowance.

Apart from the City Council, the people of Sunderland have political representation on two other levels – at national level through the four Members of Parliament (MPs) and at European level through the four North East Regional Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).   MPs and MEPs receive a full-time salary as well as allowances.

In some parts of the country, usually more rural areas, there is an additional level of government - parish or town councils.  Parish councils deal with very local matters such as small community projects, litter and dog-fouling.  Elections are held every four years.

There is only one such council in the Sunderland area - Hetton Town Council - covering Hetton ward and part of Eppleton ward.    Hetton Town Council can be contacted at: The Hetton Centre, Welfare Road, Hetton-Le-Hole DH5 9NE tel: (0191) 553 6601 fax: (0191) 6620 e-mail enquiry@hettontowncouncil.gov.uk

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