The Urban District of Hetton-le-Hole was formed by Order in Council dated 30th March 1885 and it then consisted of the Hetton, Hetton Downs and Easington Lane wards - the population was 12,726.

In 1974 Hetton Town Council was formed due to the reorganisation of Local Government and is made up of 21 Members, representing the four Wards of Hetton-le-Hole:-

Hetton-le-Hole Ward (6 Members)

East Rainton & Moorsley Ward (3 Members)

Easington Lane Ward (6 Members)

Hetton Downs Ward (6 Members)

Council meetings are held on the first and third Monday evenings of each month (except May & August) in the Council Chamber, Hetton Centre, Welfare Road, Hetton-le-Hole at 7.15pm. All meetings are open to the public.

Hetton-le-Hole is situated in the City of Sunderland boundary, whose main council offices are at Civic Centre, Sunderland. The City Council administer other services such as Economic Development, Planning, Refuse Collection & Environmental Health, Social Services.

The local MP is Mr Fraser Kemp and his constituency office is at 14 Nesham Place, Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne & Wear. Tel: 0191 - 5849266