This followed the closures and associated job losses at Grove Cranes and the Vaux Brewery, both of which were key private employers in traditional industries close to the City Centre.

The Task Group was charged with developing and implementing a strategic vision to tackle the severe economic and social problems facing a substantial area of Sunderland and its communities.

• To accelerate the revival of Sunderland, integrating major physical redevelopment with comprehensive social regeneration in support of the Government's National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal and the Urban White Paper.

• To support the Deputy Prime Minister's major initiative and pilot exciting new ways of promoting ‘joined up’ service and regeneration delivery, including neighbourhood management and effective local consultation following the very successful community visioning exercise.

The Company's Board for the first five years was chaired by leading industrialist Bryan Sanderson, then John Anderson, a substantial business figure from the NE of England.