FORMER Mayor of Sunderland and long-serving councillor Harry Trueman has been nominated to receive one of the council’s highest civic honours.
Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet recommended Harry be appointed an Honorary Alderman of the City of Sunderland, is in recognition of his service to both residents and the council.
Harry – who was a big supporter when Washington Way launched – represented Washington West from May 1995 until his retirement from the council in May 2026.
During his 31 years, he served on a number of council committees and held several senior leadership positions, including Portfolio Holder for Housing and Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Communities.
He became Deputy Leader of the Council in 2011 and served as Leader from 2017-18 before becoming Mayor from 2021-22 and then served as Consort from 2023-24 when his late wife, Dorothy, became Mayor.
As a big supporter of the Armed Forces, he acted as the council’s Armed Forces Champion as part of his Deputy Leader responsibilities and also represented Sunderland Council on numerous regional and partnership bodies.
Alongside his council duties, he was an active school governor at Blackfell Primary School, Shiney Row School, Columbia Grange School and Wellbank School.
Leader of Sunderland City Council, Councillor Chris Eynon said: “Harry Trueman devoted a remarkable 31 years of his life to serving the people of Sunderland and has made an enormous contribution to public life in our city.
“Whether as a ward councillor, Cabinet Member, Deputy Leader, Leader of the Council, Armed Forces Champion or Mayor, Harry always demonstrated a strong commitment to the communities he represented and to improving opportunities for local residents.”
Councillor Paul Donaghy, Cabinet Member for Veterans, Communities and Poverty added: “This is a very well-deserved honour and is a fitting recognition of Harry’s distinguished service.
“I believe, as will many others, that Harry is a great and leading example of what a councillor should be. I am delighted Cabinet supported this recommendation to acknowledge the lasting contribution Harry has made to the city and its communities over many years.”
Following cabinet’s confirmation that it was making the recommendation to council, Mr Trueman said: “Serving the people of Sunderland has been a privilege, and this nomination reflects the support of colleagues, council officers, community organisations and the residents I have worked with for many years.
“And the memory of my dear wife Dorothy. I remain proud of what we achieved together and grateful for this nomination.”
The recommendation will be considered at the next Full Council meeting on Wednesday, where councillors will be asked to formally agree to confer the title.
