Weymouth and Portland Mayor's Office

Mayor's Engagements

In general, the Mayor undertakes around 400 engagements a year, mostly within the borough, and is supported by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ray Banham, who is asked to attend those engagements where the Mayor would otherwise be double booked. 

In the next week the Mayor has accepted the following invitations:

• Wave off Louviers Visitors
• Holzwickede Friendship Meal
• Artwey Giant Wall Launch
• Dorchester Mayor Making

The Deputy Mayor has accepted the following invitations:

• Holzwickede Friendship Meal

About the Mayor

Councillor Margaret Leicester was formally elected as Mayor of Weymouth and Portland on 24 May 2012 to serve for the next Civic Year.

Margaret was employed by C & A Brenninkmeyer for 12 years, in a mainly clerical role, before moving to the National Assistance Board, later known as the Department of Health and Social Security, in 1965.  She transferred from London to Weymouth in 1966 but resigned in 1969 to start a family.

In 1975 Margaret joined the Parent Teacher Association of St George's Infant School, Portland, later being elected as Secretary, then Chairman.  In 1981, when her children moved to junior level, she became a school governor, serving for 28 years (the last 15 as Chair of Governors). She retired when the school amalgamated with the juniors to become a primary school.

In 1980 Margaret was elected to Portland Town Council and served for 29 years; during this time she was twice voted Portland Town Mayor.  She joined Weymouth & Portland Borough Council as a Borough Councillor in 1985 and has chaired both the Planning and Transport and Scrutiny and Performance committees.  She has also represented the Council on various outside bodies such as the Portland Museum Steering Group and the West Dorset Heritage committee.  She continues to serve as the Council's representative on the Weymouth Museum Board and became a Trustee of the newly formed Weymouth Museum Trust in 2011.

Margaret was invited to join the Independent Review Board of the Verne Prison, Portland, serving for 10 years until the Home Office introduced a new system.

Margaret was born on 17 July 1939 in London.  She has been married for 47 years and has 2 sons and 4 grandchildren.  she has lived on Portland since moving from London in 1966.

• Contact the Mayor's Office

  Contact the office of the Mayor of Weymouth and Portland.

• Request for the Mayor of Weymouth and Portland's attendance

  How to request the Mayor of Weymouth and Portland's attendance at a function or event.

• Mayor of Weymouth and Portland's Charities

  It is usual for the Mayor to support one or two charities during their Mayoral year which aims to raise the profile of the charity and assist in fundraising.