Margaret Cooksey for Dorking South

Margaret is a well-established local Councillor who was first elected to Mole Valley District Council in 1994 as a councillor for Westcott Ward, and has represented Dorking South Ward since 2002. She was previously a Senior Nurse Lecturer and was a member of Leeds City Council from 1979 to 1980. She has a long record of service in Mole Valley, having at various times been a member of all major Council committees and was Council Chairman in 2015 to 2016.

When Liberal Democrats took control of the Council in 2019, Margaret became Cabinet Member for Planning, and has successfully steered the new Local Plan through all stages of submission to the Secretary of State.

She has initiated significant improvements to the Plan including much more protection for the Green Belt. She has also promoted innovations such as a new pre-planning consultation scheme that will become effective in 2022.

Margaret continues to Chair the Dorking Town Forum and works with a wide range of local people and organisations to protect and enhance our community. She has an impressive record of achievements for the town of Dorking, and of hard and sustained work for all Mole Valley residents.

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