Stephen Cooksey decides to stand down as Leader of Mole Valley District Council
Statement from Stephen Cooksey
On Friday 9th May I signed the letter to the Minister for Local Government and Devolution along with the Leaders of the County Council and Elmbridge District Council proposing that two Unitary Councils be established in Surrey – the Eastern Council to comprise the current Districts and Boroughs of Mole Valley. Elmbridge, Reigate & Banstead, Epsom & Ewell, and Tandridge. That brought to an end a significant chapter in the Devolution process and one that I have been deeply involved in as Leader of Mole Valley.
We now await the Government’s decision which might be some months away and I have decided that this is the point at which it would be appropriate for me to stand down as Council Leader to allow me to devote more time to unitary issues.
I have had the privilege of leading Mole Valley Council for six years since 2019, During this time we have successfully found our way through the Covid pandemic, absorbed major funding cuts from central government, made significant financial savings, and delivered a much-needed Local Plan; we have developed a public perception of the Council as a caring and listening authority, and maintained, and whenever possible improved, the services that Mole Valley Council provides. That is a record in which the Administrations that I have headed can take some pride. The number of Liberal Democrat Councillors has increased in every election since we were first given a majority - clearly indicating that residents have approved our policies and the way in which we have carried out our responsibilities.
Leading a Council is a massively time-consuming job especially during a time of re-organisation and I would like the opportunity to use my local government experience, developed over many years, to help establish the new Councils in a way that will most benefit our residents. I have an ambition to serve on the new Unitary Authority and will be preparing for next year’s elections whilst continuing to serve as a Mole Valley Councillor and a Surrey County Councillor.
My sincere thanks go to the officers of Mole Valley Council, with whom I have worked very closely and whose support and assistance I have valued greatly, to colleagues who have served as Cabinet members throughout those six years and to those members who have given me significant support during my time as Leader.
I plan to continue to serve the communities and residents in and around Dorking who have supported me in successive elections to Mole Valley Council and Surrey County Council and hope to be able to play a valuable role in the establishment of the new Unitary Councils.