Mental health nurse Cllr Douglas Hamandishe elected Mayor of Medway for 2026/27

Cllr Douglas Hamandishe, a part-time mental health nurse who represents Gillingham North on Medway Council, has been elected Mayor of Medway for the 2026/27 civic year. Cllr Sharon Jackson, who represents Strood West and works professionally as a stand-up comedian alongside her foster-care responsibilities, was appointed Deputy Mayor at the same meeting.

The appointments were made at the council’s Annual Meeting, held at the St George’s Centre, Chatham Maritime on Wednesday 13 May 2026 at 7pm. Cllr Hamandishe, who served as Deputy Mayor in 2024/25, succeeds the outgoing Mayor.

Twenty years in the NHS

The new Mayor brings more than 20 years of NHS experience to the civic role, having worked as a mental health nurse alongside his Council duties. He represents Gillingham North as a Labour and Co-operative Group member of the Council.

Speaking after the appointment, Cllr Hamandishe said:

“It is the honour of a lifetime to represent the community of Medway as Mayor for the next year.”

Strood West foster carer as Deputy

Cllr Sharon Jackson, the new Deputy Mayor, was elected to represent Strood West in 2023. She moved to Medway in 2000 with five foster children and continues to work as a stand-up comedian.

Cllr Jackson said of her appointment:

“During my time in Medway, I have met so many amazing people, and over the next year as Deputy Mayor I look forward to being able to help amplify the voices of those working tirelessly for our community.”

Mayor’s four chosen charities

Each Mayor of Medway selects a slate of charities to support during their term. Cllr Hamandishe has chosen four charities that he says reflect different stages of life’s journey:

• Wisdom Hospice — the local hospice serving Medway and Swale
• Chatham Royal Marine Cadets — the Chatham detachment of the Royal Marines Cadets
• The Legend on the Bench — a local mental health support initiative
• The Sunlight Development Trust — the Gillingham-based community trust running the Sunlight Centre

Cabinet portfolios confirmed

The Annual Meeting also confirmed the council’s Cabinet portfolios for 2026/27. Cllr Vince Maple continues as Leader of the Council, now in the third year of a four-year term that began in May 2023. Cllr Teresa Murray continues as Deputy Leader, with Cllr Adam Price holding the statutory Lead Member for Children’s Services portfolio and Cllr Tracy Coombs the Education brief.

The Leader’s portfolio formally includes Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution, reflecting Medway’s role in the wider Kent LGR conversation. A 12-member cross-party Member Working Group on Local Government Reorganisation continues to meet during the 2026/27 municipal year.

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Source: Medway Council Annual Meeting papers and Medway Council press release of 14 May 2026.