Stephen Cooksey has served as a Councillor for more than 50 years on five different Local Authorities. He has represented Dorking South on Mole Valley Council since 1992 and is the longest serving member of the Council. He has been a member of Surrey County Council since 2005 representing Dorking South and the Holmwoods.

Stephen stood down as Leader of Mole Valley District Council after 6 years leading the Administration. Since 2019 he worked with the Liberal Democrat Group to transform the Council into a fairer, greener and more caring organisation.

Professionally he worked as a senior administrator at a number of Universities, spending his last 10 years before retirement as Deputy Director with the Open University. He retired in 2013 to become a full-time Councillor.

He is one of the most experienced Councillors in the country and has worked tirelessly with the Dorking community and residents to improve and enhance the town and its environment.