Lesley was born in Gosport and grew up locally in Forton.
She started her career in the military at age 18 and served in both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. In 1995 she left the armed forces and joined Hampshire Constabulary where she worked in Portsmouth, Havant, and Netley in various policing roles.
In 2002, Lesley returned to her hometown of Gosport to work as a community police sergeant in the town. She retired from this role in October 2017.
Lesley lives in Harbourside & Town ward. She shares her home with her daughter and their much-loved dog Betty.
Lesley has successfully campaigned for the Gosport Police Station to be reopened.
Lesley has also campaigned for CCTV to be a mandatory licence condition of all licence plate holders in the Borough. Protecting drivers and passengers.
Lesley works closely with local families & and the elderly ensuring residents' concerns are heard and acted upon. Be this challenging an education provision or ensuring older residents are kept safe in their homes by orchestrating the fitting of falls prevention equipment.
As a parent of a young autistic adult, Lesley is fully aware of the struggles many parents and carers face to ensure their child secures the best education setting.
Lesley has hosted numerous charity events, raising funds for both local and national charities such as Hounds for Heros, Autism Hampshire, Diabetic Research, and Gosport and Fareham Basics Bank. These events have ranged from themed garden parties to entering a local body-building competition!
In her most recent charity fundraising endeavour Lesley completed 2000 burpees in August-raising funds for help for heroes.
Lesley is also a qualified fitness instructor and trains with others outside in her garden all year round.
Lesley cares passionately about her hometown and the communities within it. She is proud of our local heritage and our stunning coastline. Having built up excellent local community links over many years, as a police officer, it is for Lesley a natural step to continue in a community role of public office. Her level of care and compassion for the community cannot be underestimated.
Lesley has been a Hampshire County Councillor since 2021, representing Leesland & Town Division.
Lesley is an action member within HCC and fulfills the following committee & and outside bodies functions:
- Full Council
- Committee member Health & Social Care -HASC
- Committee member Regulatory Board
- Co-Chair Hampshire Autism Partnership Board (HAPB)
- Committee member Police & Crime Panel (PCP)
Lesley in 2023 was successful in becoming a parliamentary candidate & and is on the approved list.
How to contact Lesley
Lesley continues to be visible in the town and Stoke Road area and will happily discuss any of your concerns should you see her out and about.
Lesley also runs her monthly community surgery in The Bookworm Cafe, The Discovery Centre. Gosport High Street. This is usually the first Saturday of each month. These are advertised on Lesley's Facebook page and her monthly newsletter.
Social Media @CllrLesleyMeenaghan