Preparing to welcome the new Mayor of Barnsley for 2025-26

This week, we look forward to welcoming Councillor David Leech as Barnsley’s new mayor for 2025-26. The official Mayor Making Ceremony will take place at 11am on Friday 16 May in the Council Chambers, Barnsley Town Hall, where Cllr Leech will be formally elected as the Mayor of Barnsley during our Annual Council meeting.  

Cllr Leech will be joined and supported during the year by his wife, Mrs Alison Leech, as honorary mayoress. Cllr Leech has represented St Helen’s Ward since 2011 and will remain in office until at least May 2026. For the last year, he has also acted as Barnsley’s Deputy Mayor, putting him in great stead for the year ahead.  

Cllr Leech is delighted to announce the two local charities which he has chosen to support during his mayoral year:  

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBS), Barnsley 

SoBS Barnsley is a unique and distinct service for bereaved adults in Barnsley, run by the bereaved for the bereaved. Run by volunteers, it offers peer-to-peer support to all those over the age of 18 who have been impacted by suicide loss. Suicide recognises no social, ethnic or cultural boundaries and neither does this wonderful charity. 

Help 4 Homeless Veterans 

Help 4 Homeless Veterans is a Barnsley based charity supporting Veterans of His Majesties Armed Forces facing homelessness in Yorkshire. It was founded by Royston ex Royal Green Jacket soldier, Tom Wood MBE in 2010.  Since then, they have supported over 1,100 Veterans with initial rents & deposits, essential furniture such as a bed, along with food and short-term emergency hotel accommodation. 

The incoming mayor, Cllr Leech, said: “I am truly honoured and humbled to be appointed the 155th Mayor of Barnsley and to be given the opportunity to represent our wonderful borough. I’ve had the pleasure of being Deputy Mayor for the last year, so I’ve already had some invaluable experience and insight from our retiring mayor, Cllr John Clarke JP. 

“For the past 13 years and counting, I’ve had the privilege of serving the St Helen’s Ward as a local councillor where I’ve devoted my time to representing the local community. To now have the opportunity to represent and showcase our entire borough is such an honour.  

“I’ve never felt prouder than I am today to be from Barnsley and call it my home. We’ve seen tremendous progress made over the last five years in achieving our ambitions for the borough and our Barnsley 2030 vision  -  to make Barnsley the place of possibilities and I am so excited to represent the borough during the next stage of our journey.  

“One of the greatest honours is to have the opportunity to work with and support two local charities, both of which are very close to my heart, meaning all money raised will be kept in our borough for local people. I pledge to raise as much money as I can for them during my term and hope the borough will join me in my fundraising efforts.   

“My theme for the year consists of three qualities – caring, understanding and compassion. These are qualities we should all aspire to have. Everyone deserves to feel valued, respected and cared for - regardless of age, background and needs. It’s about fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support. It should also be offered freely as you never know what people are going through in their personal lives. Together, we can make sure everyone feels safe, heard and connected. 

“I’m really looking forward to all aspects of being mayor including meeting and greeting school children at the town hall, supporting community events, fundraising for my chosen charities and of course showcasing Barnsley as the place of possibilities. 

“Finally, I’d like to thank our retiring mayor, Cllr John Clarke JP and mayoress, Mrs Doreen Clarke for all the fabulous work they’ve done over the last year and for giving me the opportunity to sit in the hot seat and get some practise in. Thank you to everyone who has supported my journey to reach this honourable moment.”  

At the ceremony, the retiring mayor, Cllr John Clarke JP and mayoress, Mrs Doreen Clarke, will be thanked for their hard work and commitment over the last year and in recognition of the council’s appreciation, they’ll be presented with replica pendants.  Cllr Clarke will continue his role as local councillor representing Worsbrough Ward. 

Residents are invited to watch the mayor making and Annual Full Council via the live webcast.