A CITY'S electorate is being asked to decide if an all-powerful mayor should have political control of the council.
Voters go to the polls in Sunderland on Thursday, next week, for a referendum about whether the city should have a directly-elected mayor.
If the majority opt against, a leader and cabinet system will be automatically adopted to take control of the council from next May.
The 220,000 voters across the city council area, taking in Sunderland, the new town of Washington, and the former Durham coalfield communities of Houghton-le-Spring, Hetton-le-Hole, Easington Lane and Shiney Row, are the first in Tyneside and Wearside to be offered the chance to vote on the issue.
In a question worded by the Government, they will be asked: "Are you in favour of the proposal for Sunderland City Council to be run in a new way, which includes a mayor, who will be in charge of the council's services, and to lead Sunderland City Council and the community which it serves?"
Should they vote in favour then a further poll will be staged, next May, to elect the mayor into office.
A total of 208 polling stations will be open on mayoral referendum day, Thursday, next week, from 8am to 9pm.
The count will take place at Crowtree Leisure Centre in the city centre immediately after the closure of polling stations, with the result expected by 11pm.
Everyone who has requested a postal vote should receive their ballot paper by Saturday.
Election officers are keen to remind anyone who has moved recently that they can still register to vote at a polling station near their previous address. For more details, call 0191-553 1141.
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