Councillor Victoria Granville – Mayor of Sevenoaks
Councillor Victoria Granville was elected the Mayor of Sevenoaks on 11th May 2026. The Deputy Mayor is Councillor Lionel O’Hara.
The Mayor’s Charity
Councillor Victoria Granville has nominated Hospice in the Weald as her charity for the 2026/27 Civic Year. This charity is the local hospice for the Sevenoaks community, providing care for those living with a terminal or life-limiting illness, and their loved ones. As well as providing in-care for patients at the end of their life, the hospice also provides vital support for people at the start of their journey through counselling, physiotherapy, and opportunities to make art or music, and live well at home for as long as possible.
Contact the Mayor’s Secretary
[email protected]
Phone: 01732 459953
Read more about the Mayor of Sevenoaks Cllr Granville here
Councillor Granville has been on Sevenoaks Town Council since 2019 as a Town Ward Councillor, and in 2025/26 held the position of Deputy Mayor. She is also a Ward Councillor for Sevenoaks District Council.
The Mayor and her husband, Richard Baxter, have lived in Sevenoaks for 20 years. Richard was born and educated in the town, and together they have four adult children.
Councillor Granville’s working life spanned architecture, interior design and advertising. As an artist and curator of many exhibitions in Kent – including two years at the National Trust – she is still actively involved in the arts in Sevenoaks. During her civic year, she is focusing on ‘Celebrating Culture in Sevenoaks’ and sees the arts as a vital element for community and regeneration. Councillor Granville said, “We have a thriving creative town in Sevenoaks, particularly supported by wonderful schools’ programmes, the performing arts, the Sevenoaks Kaleidoscope Gallery and the Stag theatre. As chair of the Arts and Culture Committee, I have been privileged to meet many advocates and look forward to continuing to work in collaboration with them.”
As Town Mayor, Councillor Granville aims to follow the success of her predecessors, Councillors Tony Clayton, Libby Ancrum and Claire Shea, who worked with the Sevenoaks community to make important investments in safer streets, better facilities for young people and safeguarding green spaces. She commented, “The Town Council’s Masterplans for Sevenoaks and St Johns underpin the ambition for the town’s future and are informing the Sports and Arts Strategies and town centre development. With Local Government reorganisation likely to devolve more responsibilities to town councils, the town looks forward to exciting developments at The Stag in partnership with our diverse artistic community. Among major works, completing the Greatness Pavillion, improvements to the pitches at Sevenoaks Rugby Club and upgrading of the Vine and its cricket outfield all happily demonstrate effective co-operation between the Town Council and its partners. There is much to do and we are always listening.”
Mayor Granville points out that, under the current national programme of the reorganisation of local government affecting districts and counties, “Town and parish councils offer continuity and attachment to place. They will continue to speak for their communities. My objective as Town Mayor is to represent the widest possible range of voices in building the future of our remarkable town.”
Role of the Mayor
- The Mayoral role is not political and should not be seen to take part in any political events or communications.
- The Mayor chairs the Town Council Meeting and any Public Meetings.
- Promote the town on a local, national, and international level
- Take an active interest in all aspects of the local community and related issues
- Have the ability to network and socialize without prejudice with all members of the local community
- Act as an ambassador for Sevenoaks Town Council and welcome visitors, including dignitaries
- Attend civic events
- Officiate at opening ceremonies and be provide a speech
- Host receptions
- Nominate and fundraise and support a chosen charity
- The Mayor has no more powers to act individually, or to speak for the Council, than any other councillor.
Mayor’s Award
The Mayor’s Award is presented annually to honour individuals who voluntarily provide time and resources for the benefit of the community of Sevenoaks. The Mayor’s Award past recipients include:
2015: Roni Hollands for devoting her time to helping vulnerable people with mental health issues and people with a learning disability to paint for pleasure.
2016: Norma Lawrie-Hutchings for her 20-year dedication bringing together dancers aged 3 upwards from dancing schools to perform at the Stag Theatre.
2017: Simon Lake for his contribution to the 2158 Sevenoaks Squadron ATC. He arranged and coordinated support for events and led an increase in membership as well as maintaining the support team at the Squadron.
2018: Stephanie Harrison for her tireless work for Breast Cancer Care. Steph was instrumental in bringing Pink Week to Sevenoaks, raising awareness and thousands of pounds of funds to help those suffering from breast cancer.
2019: Matthew Ball for his work creating invaluable resources of historical information in Sevenoaks, including two books about the history of WW1 and the men named on the Vine War Memorial, and the effect of the war on the people of Sevenoaks. He also worked with the Town Council on a project encouraging young people to research and remember those involved in WW1.
2021: Jamie Alexander Wilson for his contribution to the Sevenoaks arts scene. He turned his skills to supporting the survival of The Stag Theatre and was the driving force behind the ‘Live on the Vine’ fundraising concerts.
2021: Claire Ritchie for her involvement with the Care for our Community volunteering scheme, fundraising and setting up the Lockdown Larder, and the establishment of the Sevenoaks Larder charity as an ongoing project.
2022: Hinal Patel for her outstanding contribution, alongside her team of volunteers, at Sevenoaks Pharmacy to the community of Sevenoaks delivering vaccinations during the pandemic.
2023: Caroline Berry for her work for Sevenoaks Area Youth Trust (SAYT), as a member of the Town Council’s Youth Services Committee, and for support given to the Mayor.
2024: James Ball for his hard work and commitment to improving road safety in the town, including the creation of a petition supported by 2000 people, for the 20mph scheme.
2025: Homa Ansari for her longstanding commitment to Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees, her volunteer work at the Repair Café and her active involvement with the Every Step Counts programme.
2026: John Levett for his contribution to music in Sevenoaks. John runs The Listening Room, helps with Music on the Bandstand, as Chairman of Kent Youth Jazz Orchestra, with Sevenoaks Summer Festival, and in 2026 he was key in the organisation of the fundraising concert for the Mayor’s chosen charities.
