New Year Message from the Mayor of Sevenoaks

Published: 02 January 2026

Sevenoaks is such a welcoming town. It welcomed me and my family when we arrived 42 years ago. And as Mayor this year, I’ve been welcomed by so many local organisations.

It has been humbling to meet hundreds of Sevenoaks citizens giving time to care for others, supporting neighbours, working in care homes and with young people, keeping us safe, improving our town, safeguarding its heritage and caring for the nature all round us. A huge thank you to all of you from everyone at the Town Council. We could not do what we do without you.

And thanks from me to the whole Town Council team. Special thanks to the Open Spaces staff who helped win awards at Britain in Bloom, those who look after our community hall and station at Bat & Ball, which are so popular, to our officers who have organised the Town finances to support exciting new initiatives including a new Greatness Pavilion and a community minibus, and to our planning team for a brilliant submission to protect Sevenoaks in the Local Plan.

Thanks also to my Councillor colleagues who have supported me in the last six months and stepped in for events my wife and I couldn’t make.

All of us in Local Government live in uncertain times. But one thing you can be sure of is that Sevenoaks Town Council will continue whatever happens. We will be here to support the amazing people who make Sevenoaks flourish.

On behalf of the whole Town Council, I wish all the very best for you and your family throughout 2026.

Cllr Tony Clayton
Mayor of Sevenoaks