Councillor Donna Toye has been elected as Mayor of Gillingham for the year 2026-2027, and Councillor John Kilcourse has been elected as Deputy Mayor.

At Gillingham Town Council’s Mayor Making ceremony on Wednesday 27 May 2026, Councillor Toye thanked the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Fiona Cullen, for her hard work and dedication during the past civic year.

Councillor Toye said she was “truly honoured” to take on the role and thanked her proposer, Councillor Barry von Clemens, her seconder, Councillor Paul Harris, and fellow councillors for their support and trust.

A lifelong connection to Gillingham sits at the heart of Councillor Toye’s yayoral year. She grew up in the town and was the third generation of her family to attend Gillingham Primary School, with her own sons later becoming the fourth generation.

In her speech, Councillor Toye spoke warmly about Gillingham’s strong sense of community, its green spaces and the importance of listening to residents across Gillingham and Milton-on-Stour.

Her theme for the year will be community engagement and recognition of the time given by volunteers to the town. She said she particularly wanted to celebrate the many people who contribute quietly to community life, including volunteers, local groups, residents supporting one another, and those whose efforts help make Gillingham a welcoming and positive place to live and work.

Councillor Toye also highlighted an exciting year ahead for the town, including Gillingham’s first full year as a Pollinator and Butterfly Friendly Town, the continuing growth of the southern extension, and work towards a new cemetery.

She said: ‘I’m very much looking forward to the coming year, meeting residents of Gillingham and Milton-on-Stour, community groups and clubs, businesses and societies. I appreciate the trust that has been put in me and I will do my very best to repay the faith shown in me.’

Councillor Toye will be supported during her mayoral year by her father, Peter Crocker, and her husband, Greg Vann.

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor John Kilcourse, will be supported by his wife, Celia Kilcourse.

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor say they are looking forward to supporting residents, businesses and organisations, attending events and promoting Gillingham throughout Dorset and beyond.

If you would like the Mayor to attend a function, please contact Donna O’Neill, Mayor’s Secretary, at Gillingham Town Hall on 01747 823588 or email: GTC@gillinghamdorset-tc.gov.uk.