New Mayor of Durham appointed

Cllr Lesley Mavin was officially appointed to the role during the annual Mayor Making Ceremony at Durham Town Hall.

Born and raised in the city, Cllr Mavin attended Cheveley Park Primary School, Belmont Community School and New College Durham.

She began her career in education as a teaching assistant, spending 12 years working in schools around the county while at the same time studying for a degree in psychology with the Open University.

After completing her degree, she studied for a PGCE, leading to a 21-year career as a teacher. She held roles as teacher, deputy head and headteacher at schools in County Durham and Sunderland, during which time she also gained a Postgraduate Diploma in Special Needs in Education.

Her last seven years were spent as headteacher at a primary school for children with autism.

Cllr Mavin was elected to Durham County Council in 2017, serving as ward member for Belmont, Carrville, Gilesgate Moor and Gilesgate. She has also been a member of Belmont Parish Council since 2013.

Cllr Mavin has been married to husband Eric since 1988 and the couple have two sons, Sean and Joe.

She has chosen St Cuthbert's Hospice as her nominated charity for her year in office.

She takes over the role of Mayor Durham from Cllr David Freeman, who raised just under £4,500 for the Samaritans during his term of office.

Cllr Liz Brown will serve as Deputy Mayor for 2023/24.

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Durham are elected by the city's Charter Trustees, who help ensure the continuation of civic traditions in Durham.