This council: flagship · Climate
Reform UK has led Sunderland City Council since May 2026 (source).
The council's forward plan sets out a Cabinet decision to begin preparing a new Sunderland Local Plan.[1] Cabinet has noted the council's first Local Area SEND Reform Plan, which the Department for Education requires before it will meet up to 90% of the council's Dedicated Schools Grant deficit.[2] Cabinet has also approved electric-vehicle charging infrastructure and endorsed a regional nature recovery strategy.[3][4][5][6]
Cabinet noted the council's first Local Area SEND Reform Plan (LARP), recording its meeting of 25 June 2026.[2] The Department for Education requires the plan before it will provide a sufficiency grant meeting up to 90% of the council's retained Dedicated Schools Grant deficit.[2] Cabinet delegated authority for future revisions of the plan to the Director of Children's Services, in consultation with the relevant portfolio holder and the Director of Finance.[2]
The council's 2025/26 Revenue Budget Outturn report recorded that the Dedicated Schools Grant deficit had an increasing cumulative position.[7] Together for Children was working to address the in-year pressures and reduce that cumulative position.[7]
The forward plan of key decisions lists a Cabinet decision to begin preparing a new Sunderland Local Plan in the period June to July 2026.[1] The corpus holds no record of a pause, withdrawal or delay to the plan.[1]
Cabinet approved the delivery of Phase One of the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) programme.[3][4]
Cabinet endorsed the adoption of the South of Tyne and Wear Local Nature Recovery Strategy by Gateshead Council, the DEFRA-appointed responsible authority.[5][6] It endorsed proposed changes to the strategy and authorised further minor modifications before publication.[8][9]
“To seek approval to commence preparation of the new Sunderland Local Plan Cabinet Y In the period 1 June 2026 to 31 July 2026” Document, 27 May 2026 ↗
“Once approved the Department for Education would provide a sufficiency grant to meet up to 90% of the Council’s retained Dedicated Schools Grant deficit.” Minutes, 22 July 2026 ↗
“(iii) the Director of Children’s Services be authorised, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, Education and Social Mobility and the Director of Finance, to make subsequent required changes to the LARP in line with DfE policy.” Minutes, 22 July 2026 ↗
“To seek approval for the delivery of Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Programme - Phase One” Decisions, 16 July 2026 ↗
“To seek approval for the delivery of Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Programme - Phase One” Decisions, 22 July 2026 ↗
“The Executive Director of Economy and Place submitted a report seeking Cabinet endorsement for the adoption of the South of Tyne and Wear Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) by Gateshead Council acting in their role as the Responsible Authority.” Document, 25 June 2026 ↗
“the adoption of the revised LNRS by Gateshead Council as the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) appointed Responsible Authority for the preparation of the South of Tyne and Wear LNRS be supported” Document, 25 June 2026 ↗
“Work was ongoing within Together for Children to address the current in year pressures and seeking to reduce the increasing cumulative position.” Minutes, 22 July 2026 ↗
“the proposed changes to the South of Tyne and Wear Local Nature Recovery Strategy as set out at Appendix 1 be endorsed” Document, 25 June 2026 ↗
“the Executive Director of Economy and Place be authorised to agree any necessary further minor modifications or any other procedural matters as required to the South of Tyne and Wear LNRS as required prior to its publication, in consultation with the Leader, the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Transport and Net Zero Portfolio and the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Regeneration and Business” Document, 25 June 2026 ↗