Deputy Mayor

The Deputy Mayor is elected for a term of office of one year.

Councillor Zelanie Cooper, Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Reigate & Banstead

Zelanie was born in Tadworth and has lived in and around the surrounding villages for most of her life, having grown up in the iconic ‘water tower house’ in Tower Road. After getting married, she chose to raise her family in Tadworth. 

She is a primary school teacher, with an extended qualification as a specialist teacher for children with additional needs.  She has previously been involved in scouting, running a scout group and training adults to become scout leaders, she specialises in back to basics bushcraft skills.

Most evenings, Zelanie is involved in charity and surplus supermarket food distribution efforts, working to reduce waste food and to support local families.

She has three children, two boys and a girl.  Her daughter will be her official consort for her year as Deputy Mayor of Reigate and Banstead Borough Council (RBBC).  In her spare time, Zelanie enjoys cycling, jive dancing and spending time with her family.  She has numerous animals ranging from tortoises, cats to an axolotl.

Since 2021, Zelanie has served as the Borough Councillor for Lower Kingswood, Tadworth and Walton on the Hill. She is an active member of the Residents Association and Independent Councillors group.  She is currently Chair of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee and the Reigate and Banstead Borough Council representative for Town Twinning.

She is looking forward to supporting and finding out more about the residents and community groups within RBBC during her year as Deputy Mayor.