Mayor

The new Mayor of Dartford, Councillor Andy Lloyd, was elected at the Annual Council meeting on 8 May 2024.

Councillor Lloyd, was first elected to Dartford Borough Council in 2005. He has served on the Cabinet for three terms, first with the leisure brief, when he drove the award winning redevelopment of Fairfield Leisure Centre, and then eight years with the finance portfolio during a time when council tax was frozen for six of the eight years.  

Councillor Lloyd is 60 years old and is married to Diane, who will be supporting him as Mayoress. The new Mayor and Mayoress were both born, educated and have lived all their married life in Dartford. The couple boast three children and six grandchildren who all live within the Borough. 

Councillor Lloyd has spent his career in banking and finance. For the past thirteen years he had led a large consultancy business, first conducting a Management Buy Out from its American owners and in 2023 he passed on the company into full Employee Ownership. 

During their leisure time Andy and Diane enjoy spending time with their family, socialising with their friends, cruise holidays and modern jive dancing.   

The Mayor and Mayoress have chosen two charities to support directly during their Mayoral year, both are focussed on supporting the young people of Dartford and have personal relevance to their life:

• Little Buds - Special Care Baby Unit

Valley Hospital Charity’s Little Buds Fund provides the very best care for babies born at Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, supporting staff to deliver the best possible care to expectant mums, and their new babies, close to home. Innovation in technology, medical advances and improved nursing expertise, enables staff on Walnut Ward, the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU), to care for babies born with wide-ranging problems.  This can include those born prematurely, unwell or with breathing difficulties.  

• Lutonia 2028 - Scout Hall Redevelopment

The 3rd Dartford Scout Group is one of the oldest Scout Groups in Dartford and has existed for more than 100 years. Based in Broomhill Road, the group has more than 140 members and run six sectional meetings per week for young people aged between 6 and 14 years old. Lutonia Hall, the 3rd Dartford Scout Hall, was built almost 100 years ago and whilst structurally sound, is in need of modernisation. The 3rd Dartford Trustees have developed a project called “Lutonia 2028” where they aim to have renovated the hall and made the building as environmentally friendly as they can, to continue the legacy of the 3rd Dartford for another 100 years.

The new Mayor will be supported throughout the year by Councillor Peter Whapshott, who was appointed as the new Deputy Mayor at the Annual Council meeting on 8th May. 

Councillor Whapshott, was first elected to Dartford Borough Council in 2023. He is serving as a councillor for Brent ward and is the armed forces champion for Dartford. He is an ambassador for a veteran’s charity (Care for Veterans), is the deputy chair for the Dartford and Crayford Sea Cadets and also helps run a veterans breakfast club.  

Councillor Whapshott is 63 years old and is married to Norma, who will be supporting him as Deputy Mayoress. Both have lived in Dartford since they were married 41 years ago. Norma has worked at the Windmill Nursery for 25 Years. They have 3 children and 7 grandchildren , all born in the Dartford area. 

You can contact the Mayor through:

Mayoral Support
Dartford Borough Council
Tel: 01322 343402
Online contact: Contact the Mayoral Support Team

Residents, local organisations and businesses can also request that the Mayor attends their event by completing and returning the Mayoral Engagement Form. If you have any queries please call Dee Mangat on 01322 343402 or Online contact: Contact the Mayoral Support Team