City Plan

Sunderland is a fantastic, forward-looking city undergoing continued transformation and economic regeneration. It has a global reputation as a welcoming and inclusive place in which to live, work, invest and play.

However, the council and the city face key challenges including:

• Stemming outward migration
• Ensuring the city centre functions as the economic motor for the whole city, Growing Sunderland businesses
• Improving the skills and qualifications of local residents to match the needs of industry in the city
• Changing poor health behaviours
• Addressing the high levels of children in need and in care

On top of these the council also has the continued pressures arising from the government's austerity measures, increasing adult social care costs and the potential impacts of Brexit.

Because of these challenges and pressures, whilst the statutory requirement for councils to produce a strategic plan was long since removed, the council remains committed to robust strategic planning, openness and accountability to stakeholders.

The updated and ambitious Final Draft City Plan "Sunderland 2019-2030", will address the key challenges for the city and capitalise on key opportunities to ensure that all residents and communities can benefit from the transformation.

The Final Draft City Plan will be the council's overarching strategic plan for the period 2019/2020 to 2029/2030.

Progress in respect of the City Plan will be managed via the council's Corporate Performance Management arrangements which identify Key Milestones, Performance Measures, Targets and accountabilities for each of the City Plan Timeline Activities.

The City Plan will be underpinned by delivery and project level plans, and individual appraisal arrangements which will break down City Plan content into operational and management activities to create a clear "golden thread" of empowerment, responsibility and accountability from the council's ambitions to service and individual activities and vice-versa.

The City Plan will therefore play a key role in supporting the council's and partners' efforts to ensure that Sunderland will be:

• A city where business invests and that benefits from continued regeneration, where people have access to great employment and education opportunities and the city centre boosts economic growth and prosperity
• A city where people enjoy good health and wellbeing, live happy, independent lives and spend their leisure time
• A city where every neighbourhood is safe, clean and welcoming with decent homes and facilities, and where every resident can feel proud of where they live

The Final Draft City Plan was reported to Cabinet on 16 July 2019 with a view to it being recommended for approval by Full Council in November.

In line with the council's approach to carbon reduction and cost saving, the final City Plan will be published electronically here following its approval by Full Council.