title: Tyne and Wear County Council
text: # Tyne and Wear County Council
  
  Tyne and Wear County Council was the county council of the metropolitan county of Tyne and Wear in northeast England. It came into its powers on 1 April 1974 and was abolished on 1 April 1986. The county council was based at Sandyford House in Newcastle upon Tyne. It was replaced with five unitary authorities: Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead, Newcastle City Council, North Tyneside Council, South Tyneside Council and Sunderland City Council.
  
  ## Political control
  
  The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority before coming into its powers on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council from 1973 until its abolition in 1986 was always held by the Labour Party:
  
  | Party in control | Party in control | Years |
  | - | - | - |
  | | Labour | 1973–1986 |
  
  ### Leadership
  
  Throughout the council's existence the leader of the council was Michael Campbell.
  
  | Councillor | Party | Party | From | To |
  | - | - | - | - | - |
  | Michael Campbell | | Labour | 1 Apr 1974 | 31 Mar 1986 |
  
  ## Council elections
  
  * 1973 Tyne and Wear County Council election
  * 1977 Tyne and Wear County Council election
  * 1981 Tyne and Wear County Council election
  