A campaign has started for an elected mayor in Sunderland to replace the current political system. Five years ago, the idea was rejected in a referendum in the city by a small majority with a turnout of only 10%.
The new campaign needs the support of 5% of the electorate, which is more than 10,000 names, in order to trigger another referendum.
Middlesbrough, North Tyneside and Hartlepool are among the places which currently have an elected mayor.
Sunderland Conservative councillor Peter Wood said: "I think it would be a good idea to have the debate again. It's five years since the last time for example, and then we had really no experience of elected mayors within the region.
"Let's have the debate again and see what the views are as a result of that."
He said he believed having a mayor would help get decisions made.
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