Cllr Jacky Tustain is the new Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane following a Mayor Making ceremony at the Civic Offices last night (Thursday 14 May) where Cllr Colin Phillimore handed over the chain of office.

Every year in May a long serving councillor is appointed as the civic Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane for one year.

The Mayor is the first citizen of the borough. This means that only HM The King, members of the Royal Family and the Lord Lieutenant take precedence over the Mayor at borough events.

As the Mayor, Cllr Tustain will represent the borough at annual events such as Remembrance Sunday and attend many different functions across Basingstoke and Deane, such as official openings of events or new facilities, talking to clubs and societies and visiting schools. The Mayor also hosts visits to the Mayor’s Parlour from members of the local community and organisations.

Each Mayor can choose charities to benefit from fundraising during their time in office. Cllr Tustain is setting up a community chest fund, which will provide grants to local charities and community groups that promote physical and mental wellbeing and help people feel better, more connected and less isolated.

Cllr Tustain said: “My goal this year is to help build a kinder, healthier and more connected community for everyone in our borough by championing wellbeing – both physical and mental – reducing loneliness, strengthening the connections that hold our communities together and supporting all those who play a part in this.”

Cllr Tustain was first elected as a borough councillor in 2021, representing the Popley ward and sits on the council’s Accounts and Audit Committee and the Crime and Disorder Joint Scrutiny Committee. She has also chaired the Residents Service Committee.

Cllr Tustain has lived in the borough of Basingstoke and Deane since she was five years old, moving from Old Basing before settling with her family in Brookvale, where she grew up.

She went to Bishop Challoner School and then Queen Mary’s College. After college, she began her working life in retail management for WH Smiths. She later moved into the IT sector, working in both technical and project management roles and spent 17 years at the AA.

Her community involvement began at school, where she took part in events and church activities. This continued into adulthood through a wide range of voluntary roles, including leading children’s church groups, supporting community groups, and serving as a school governor. She is currently a trustee of Basingstoke & District Disability Forum, Basingstoke Charities, Basingstoke Mencap, Loddon Social Enterprise and Popley Fields Community Association. Her responsibilities include governance, safeguarding and organisational oversight.

The Deputy Mayor for Basingstoke and Deane during 2026 to 2027 is Cllr Sajish Tom.

More information on the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane is on the council’s website www.basingstoke.gov.uk/mayor