The Mayor of Sevenoaks

 

Contact the Mayor’s Secretary:

Email: office@sevenoakstown.gov.uk
Phone: 01732 459953

The Mayor's charities 
The Mayor has nominated Sevenoaks Area Youth Trust and Sevenoaks Citizens Advice as his two charities for the Civic Year. Sevenoaks Area Youth Trust works with the Town Council to deliver detached youth services and runs events for young people in collaboration with the House in the Basement, the Town Council’s youth centre at the Stag Theatre. Explaining why he had chosen Sevenoaks Citizens Advice as one of his nominated charities, the Mayor said, “I’ve been associated with the charity since I became a Councillor. Sevenoaks Citizens Advice harnesses volunteer expertise to help people make better decisions about their own lives. Not many people realise that it’s a charity, and it depends on people giving time and money to succeed”.


Councillor Tony Clayton – Mayor of Sevenoaks

Councillor Tony Clayton was elected the Mayor of Sevenoaks on Monday 12th May 2025.

Councillor Clayton was first elected to Sevenoaks Town Council in 1987, and in 2024/25 he held the position of Deputy Mayor. Councillor Tony Clayton previously held the position of Sevenoaks Town Mayor in 1995/96.

The Mayor and his wife, Gill, have lived in Sevenoaks since 1983, after moving from Glasgow with their two children.

Councillor Clayton has also served as a District Councillor for much of the time he has worked as a Town Councillor. As the Vice Chair of Housing, he oversaw major investment in the quality and sustainability of social homes. As the Chair of Town Centre Development, he supervised the evolution of the Bligh’s Shopping Centre plan, and the commissioning of the successful developer.

The Mayor has spent most of his career working as an economist, specialising in performance improvement and marketing strategy, for companies in Kent, across the UK and internationally. He has also held roles in the Office for National Statistics, including Director of Economic Analysis, and worked as the Chief Economist of the UK Intellectual Property Office. Since retiring from the Civil Service, he has worked as a consultant on intellectual property economic projects.

Since he first held the position of Sevenoaks Town Mayor in 1995/96, Councillor Clayton has been working to promote cycling in Sevenoaks. He continues to cycle and is often seen around Sevenoaks on a locally made e-bike. The Mayor is particularly interested in green initiatives, including promoting tree planting, supporting sustainable energy, and improving recycling.

Councillor Clayton said, "We have big decisions to make on the future of Sevenoaks this year. Local government reorganisation should give the Town a chance to take more local control of parks and other services. There’s an exciting sports development at Greatness Recreation Ground due to start with Sevenoaks Football Club. We’re starting to develop ideas for community building at Greatness Lakes, as well as thinking about the long-term potential of the Stag to grow and play an even bigger role in plans for the Town Centre. I hope we can involve even more members of the Sevenoaks community to make the most of all these opportunities." The Mayor added, “Town and Parish Councils will live through the local government changes affecting Districts and Counties, and will continue to speak for their communities. Sevenoaks Town Council will aim to capture the widest possible range of voices in charting the future of our wonderful town.”  

Mayor's Blog

Mayor reflects on busy year for town and looks ahead to 2025 - Mayor’s Column in Town Crier Winter 2024 issue

Mayor reflects on busy year for town and looks ahead to 2025 - Mayor’s Column in Town Crier Winter 2024 issue

Published: 9 Dec 24

On 23 September I was surprised and delighted when we received an email from Buckingham Palace. The message was sent on behalf of King Charles congratulating residents of the town on their efforts to secure and preserve the ancient woodland of Longsprings Wood as a Community Asset. Read More...

Cllr. Rachel Parry Summer 2022

Cllr. Rachel Parry Summer 2022

Published: 17 Mar 23

Wasn’t Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee long weekend great and so exciting! Read More...

Cllr. Rachel Parry Spring 2022

Cllr. Rachel Parry Spring 2022

Published: 17 Mar 22

It is an honour to become the Mayor of Sevenoaks and in this Platinum Jubilee Year it will be even more special and so I am very conscious of the privilege and especially the responsibilities of becoming our Town’s Mayor. Read More...

Cllr Dr Merilyn Canet Mayor Elect 2021/22

Cllr Dr Merilyn Canet Mayor Elect 2021/22

Published: 5 May 21

Councillor Dr Merilyn Canet has been elected the new Mayor of Sevenoaks on Tuesday 4th May 2021. Read More...

April 2020

April 2020

Published: 30 Apr 20

I hope you and your family and friends are coping with the continuing lockdown and at the same time discovering new interests and hobbies. I’d like to mention a proposed activity designed for children asking them to help us brighten up Sevenoaks as soon as lockdown ends. Read More...

January 2020

January 2020

Published: 18 Mar 20

we have had a somewhat eventful time on a national level, including a General Election and the passage of the Brexit Bill. I am proud to say that, whatever the individual views of councillors on these great issues of state, your Town Council has remained relentlessly focused on serving our local residents on local issues as well as we possibly can. Read More...

November 2019

November 2019

Published: 30 Nov 19

I can’t resist mentioning my solo attempt to imitate The Beatles Abbey Road zebra crossing walk – all in support of the wonderful Lewis project, which helps address mental health issues through music therapy. Read More...

August 2019

August 2019

Published: 30 Aug 19

The wonderful thing about being Mayor of Sevenoaks is that one is given a privileged opportunity to witness at first hand all the fantastic work that local residents are doing – very often on a voluntary basis – to support our local community. Read More...

May 2019

May 2019

Published: 20 May 19

It is an honour to have been elected Mayor of Sevenoaks and to have the opportunity over the coming year, both to promote the town, and to thank all those who contribute in a myriad of ways to building and supporting our local community. Read More...

Cllr Nicholas Busvine elected as Mayor of Sevenoaks

Cllr Nicholas Busvine elected as Mayor of Sevenoaks

Published: 14 May 19

Cllr Nicholas Busvine OBE has been elected as Mayor of Sevenoaks for the ensuing civic year. Read More...