The Town Council consists of 18 Councillors who represent seven Wards.
Each year the Council elects from their number a Town Mayor.
The Council conducts its business through five standing Committees and a Personnel Sub-Committee which deals with staffing and employment issues. Committees and Full Council generally meet every two months.
“I was born in Chelsea, London in 1965 to Syd and Mary. An only child, I became a child carer when my mother had a massive brain hemorrhage and stroke when I was 12.
On leaving school after O levels I pursued a carer in the music industry – having had a run in with the school gates at the age of 3, our doctor told my mother to put me on the piano to ensure I learned to use my left hand, hence I learned to read music before I could read English Over the years I was luckily enough to play (bass guitar) in some outstanding bands, met some iconic rock stars including David Bowie, Ozzie Osbourne and Lemmy from Motorhead, and went on to play as a session bass player for a studio in Camden Town, London. At the age of 37 I was told I was too old to be a female in rock, so I went on to jointly set up a CIC called Re-Play Music, which recycles musical instruments and donates them to community projects. Three of us (including my partner Bryan) put on the largest fund-raising musical festival South London had seen – 140 artists and bands – playing in 7 venues with all profits going directly into mending instruments. Re-Play has now been assisting at the Kidz field in Glastonbury, teaching children to play an instrument, for over 25 years and the project won 2 International music awards.
In my working life I started as an admin assistant, moving into print and publicity sales, recruitment and finance, and finally into the Railway industry. I undertook an Open University (Hons) degree at the age of 37 in Environmental Studies and moved on to become a Project Manager. I coordinated all the Underground travel for the Olympics 2012 for which I received an official TfL gold medal.
I chose Folkestone to be my home from South London around 15 years ago, having inherited 3 step children and have never regretted it. I believe deeply in community support and ran for Town Councilor around 10 years ago. I first became Mayor in 2019 and was responsible for twinning Folkestone with Mechinagar, Nepal to honour our wonderful Ghurka and Nepalese community. I have had the honour of serving on District and Kent County Council – always fighting for better services especially for vulnerable and elderly residents, carers and SEND children’s services.
My first term as Mayor was cut short due to COVID lockdown so I am incredibly proud and honoured to be given the chance to serve once again for our community as Mayor 2026-27.”
The Mayor’s chosen charities are The Shed Urban Wilderness – Folkestone Youth Project, Sunflower House – Folkestone Food Support and Folkestone Nepalese Community Centre.
For further information or to attend any of the Mayor’s Charity Events, please visit our Meetings & Events page, click on the event you are interested in and fill out the online form if you would like to attend.
Each year the Town Mayor recognises individuals with the Town Mayor’s Community Awards. Who is your local community hero? Do you know any individuals who deserve credit for their effort, strength, bravery or achievement? Or someone who has achieved something, which benefits their local community or even the whole Town?
Please download the form and nominate someone you think deserves recognition.
The Mayor welcomes invitations to attend events held by local organisations. Should you wish to invite the Mayor please email (below) or send an invitation in writing to: The Town Mayor’s Parlour, The Town Hall, 1-2 Guildhall Street, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 1DY.
Due to demand it may not always be possible to attend every event and it is recommended to give as much notice as possible. However, if the Mayor is available, you will be contacted in time for your event.
How to greet the Mayor. When greeting the Town Mayor, Councillor Jackie Meade, it is correct to address her as ‘Mr Mayor’, for example, “Good evening Mr Mayor”. In a speech the Town Mayor should be addressed as ‘The Worshipful Town Mayor of Folkestone, Councillor Jackie Meade’. For further information please contact:
Folkestone Town Council offers educational sessions with the Town Mayor for schools and local youth and community groups that would like to find out more about the role of the Mayor, and how the mayoralty links into the history of the Town.
Some of the subjects covered in these sessions include when the Town Council was formed, information on some of the Civic insignia such as the Great Mace and Chain of Office etc and the various roles within the Mayoralty.
These sessions can be tailored to suit your group’s needs. If you would like to book a session to visit the Mayor, or find out further details, please contact:
Since 1974 applications have been welcomed each year around November from residents of Folkestone to apply to the Town Mayor of Folkestone’s Christmas Fund for assistance with their winter expenses. Prior to 1974 this was known as the Mayor’s Coal Fund and gifts of coal were distributed to those eligible.
Each year local businesses and individuals make donations to the Mayor’s Christmas Fund and payments are then sent in January to residents aged 75 and over who fall within a certain financial criteria, as agreed by the Town Mayor of Folkestone’s Christmas Fund Committee.
Any organisation or individual who wishes to make a donation, however small, can do so by addressing it to the Town Mayor of Folkestone, Folkestone Town Council, The Town Hall, 1-2 Guildhall Street, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 1DY.
Cheques should be made payable to ‘The Town Mayor’s Christmas Fund’ or via BACs to the same account (Account No. 08616639 Sort Code 52-41-42).
To apply please call the Town Council Offices on 01303 257946 to receive a form by post or email, alternativley click here to apply online
Folkestone Town Council signed up to the Armed Forces’ Covenant on 16 March 2017. Committing to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community, recognising the value serving personnel, both regular and reservists, veterans and military families contribute to our business and country.
Folkestone Town Council has always been an ‘Armed Forces Friendly’ organisation and actively promotes the Armed Forces and Cadets via a strong programme of civic and community events which evidences how they Respect and Remember. For example the Council hold annual services and events for Normandy D-Day, Armed Forces Day, Canada Day, VJ Day, Battle of Britain Day and Remembrance Day Services.
The Council has received a Bronze Award from the Armed Forces’ Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) in acknowledgement of its support.
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Folkestone Town Council is closed from 24th December for the holidays and will reopen on Monday 5th January, with the Town Hall reopening on Tuesday 6th January with the usual opening times of 10am – 4pm. Please note that Folkestone Museum will reopen on Saturday 3rd January.
In the case of an emergency, such as a threat to health and safety, please call the Folkestone and Hythe District Council emergency number on 0300 003 0247.
Season’s greetings.