Dorking Hills - Claire Malcomson

Claire Malcomson is the Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Well-being, for Mole Valley (MVDC). Since 2019 she has been in the Cabinet.   She has lived in Surrey for many years and been a councillor for the Holmwoods for ten years (which now includes Beare Green and Coldharbour). 

Claire led the MVDC to declare a Climate and Ecology Emergency.  Her ground-breaking Climate Strategy resulted in the council winning 500K to install air sources heat pumps; LEDs lights; expanding solar generation and creating a new climate friendly procurement plan.  She has made sure community centres received funds to lower their emissions and create community gardens.  (During Covid Claire initiated a Community Garden to help her residents). 

Claire launched The Community Lottery, which provides funds to local charities and groups.  Its Environment Fund pays for planting well-established saplings across Mole Valley. She actively made sure that the New Local Plan contains ambitious biodiversity and emission targets, and made sure MVDC and Surrey CC mowing regimes allow wildflowers and pollinators to thrive.  She consistently holds SCC to task on their Climate Strategy, which she believes is not bold enough. In 2025, she is bringing the first solar carports to District car parks. 

Claire is an enthusiastic member of the National Landscapes Board (AONB), is now a member of the Surrey Pension Fund Board, stands up against sewage pollution and extraction of fossil fuels. 

Claire strives to make residents feel listened, works hard to mitigate climate change and support residents’ mental health.  She wants to expand her responsibilities to SCC, to achieve much more.