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 Heroes, Autism Hampshire, Diabetic Research, and Gosport and Fareham Basics Bank. These events have ranged from themed garden parties to entering a local bodybuilding competition!
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 a natural step for Lesley 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.
Hampshire County Council - Committee Appointments.
- County Council
- Special County Council
- Extraordinary County Council
- Children and Young People Select Committee
- Corporate Parenting Board
- Education Advisory Panel
- Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee (Vice-Chairman)
- Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Hampshire Together (Vice-Chairman)
- Regulatory Committee
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Panel (Statutory Joint Committee)
Gosport Borough Council - Lesley was successfully elected as the Harbourside & Town Ward Councillor in November 2024 and serves on Full Council and the Policy & Organisation Board at Gosport Borough Council.
Staying Accessible for Residents - Lesley continues to be highly visible across the town, particularly in the High Street and Stoke Road area, and will happily discuss any concerns should you see her out and about.
Lesley runs a monthly Community Surgery at The Bookworm Café, The Discovery Centre, Gosport High Street, usually on the first Saturday of each month. These are advertised on her Facebook page and in her monthly e-newsletter.
To sign up for Lesley’s e-newsletter, click the link below:
Social Media: @CllrLesleyMeenaghan
Lesley also hosts a hospital radio show, “The Friday Night Conversation”, 7–9 pm for patients at QA Hospital.r