Mayor of Barnsley

Mayor’s biography

Councillor David James Leech is the official Mayor of Barnsley for 2025 to 2026. He was formally elected to serve as the Civic Mayor of Barnsley in May 2025 at the traditional Mayor Making Ceremony in Barnsley Town Hall.

Cllr Leech has served the St Helen’s Ward as a local councillor since October 2011 and will continue in this role until at least 2026. During the year leading up to his appointment as mayor, Cllr Leech held the position of Barnsley’s Deputy Mayor which put him in good stead for the year ahead.

Cllr Leech was born to James and Joyce in Barnsley where he attended the former Snydale Road Secondary School in Cudworth. On leaving school, Cllr Leech’s first job was at Wakefield Army Stores here in Barnsley, before Joining HM Forces In 1975.  During his time in the Army, Cllr Leech served in Germany, Northern Ireland, Cyprus and Kenya.

Cllr Leech left the Armed Forces in 1979 and started working for what was the Yorkshire Traction Bus Company, where he was soon elected as a Union Shop Steward with the T & G Workers Union.

Cllr Leech went on to gain his HGV driving licence and started work for Truswell Haulage in 1993. He continued as a Shop Steward at Truswell’s, serving at local and national level for the Transport Sector. After 31 years’ service with Truswell Haulage, Cllr Leech officially retired in July 2024.

Since becoming a councillor for the St Helen’s Ward, Cllr Leech has devoted his time to representing his local community. His community support and engagement has seen no limits - from local events and coffee mornings to advice surgeries and even dressing up as Father Christmas for schools and play groups around the area.

Cllr Leech has been married to his wife, Alison, for 44 years after meeting her on a blind date arranged by friends, Gill and Kevin. After their wedding, they moved into their first home in Athersley. They went on to have their daughter, Rebecca in 1982 followed by son, Jon-David in 1986. They are now proud grandparents to five Grandchildren - Sophie, Jack, Kai, Aimee, and Kelly.

Alison attended the former Edward Sheerien School, Athersley North and on leaving trained to be a hairdresser where she worked until their children were born. After the children had grown up, Alison returned to work where she retrained to be a receptionist in a doctor’s surgery, where she worked until her retirement in July 2024.

Cllr Leech would say that Alison has been a great strength and support during his time as a councillor and deputy mayor. She continues to support him as mayoress during his current role as the Mayor of Barnsley.

Mayor's charities

Each year, the incoming mayor chooses their mayoral charity or charities for the year ahead. All money raised throughout the year from mayoral fundraising activities and charity work is presented to the chosen charity at the end of the mayoral year.

Their chosen charity is always local to Barnsley and the mayor usually chooses a charity that is close to their hearts or of meaning to them in some way.

Through the years, mayoral fundraising activities have ranged from the Mayor’s Ball and golf day to karaoke, auctions and sponsored walks. 

The mayoral charities for 2025 to 2026 are Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBS) and Help 4 Homeless Veterans.

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBS)

SoBS Barnsley is a unique and distinct service for bereaved adults in Barnsley, run by the bereaved for the bereaved. It offers peer-to-peer support to all those over the age of 18 who have been impacted by suicide loss. Run by volunteers, the charity helps those bereaved by suicide to support one another, at the time of their loss and in the months and years that follow.

SoBS helps to break the isolation and provide a safe, confidential environment in which bereaved people can share their experiences and feelings, giving and gaining support from each other. It provides the understanding and acceptance that can only be gained from someone who has been there themselves. The service offers a range of support including a monthly face-to-face support group.

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.

Their new initiative is called Buy a Brick which has the aim of purchasing a charity house locally to replace expensive hotel rooms for short term help.

Mayoral theme

Each year the mayor chooses a theme which summarises their ethos or focus for the borough and its communities during their mayoral year.  It is usually something that resonates with or means something personally to the mayor and their family.

The mayor’s chosen theme for 2025-26 is ‘Understanding, Caring and Compassion.’

Here, the mayor tells us about his chosen theme for 2025 to 2026:

"The theme I have chosen for my mayoral year consists of three qualities that defined my early years and have grown with me throughout my life - Caring, Understanding and Compassion.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see these three qualities embedded within our communities?

"Caring for each other is a quality we should all aspire to have. Everyone deserves to feel valued, respected and cared for - regardless of age, background and needs. It’s about having a positive impact on the lives of others, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support.

"Understanding and sharing the feelings of others is an important part of being able to care for one another. To care, we need to recognise and respect the needs of everyone.

"Compassion is the third cog in the wheel. Showing genuine concern and kindness to one another is free but it’s ripple effect can be priceless. It should also be offered freely as you never know what people are going through in their personal lives.

"My theme is a shared responsibility within our communities. Together, we can make sure everyone feels safe, heard and connected."

Deputy mayor

The Deputy Mayor of Barnsley for 2025-26 is Cllr Joanna Mary Newing, who will assist the mayor, Cllr David Leech during the year and stand in at engagements where necessary.

Cllr Newing was elected in July 2018 to serve the Old Town Ward and will continue to do so until May 2026. She has expressed what an honour it has been to represent the residents of Old Town for the past seven years.

Born in the Midlands, Cllr Newing moved to Barnsley in 1980 to work as a nurse at Barnsley Hospital.  She recently retired after working 17 years in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service in Barnsley.

She is married to Philip, a retired teacher, and they have three children who are all grown up and have 'flown the nest'

Cllr Newing looks forward to supporting the mayor, Cllr Leech during his mayoral year.