Dorset’s longest-serving councillors – Stella Jones and Robert Corben talk to Rachael Rowe about 50 years of commitment to their communities
Two Dorset residents are marking a remarkable combined century as councillors. Stella Jones has served for 50 years on Dorset councils, and Robert Corben has just marked 50 years with Okeford Fitzpaine Parish Council.
In 1973, a the age of 27, Stella Jones was elected to West Dorset District Council, which she continued to serve until 2019, when she became a member of the new unitary authority, Dorset Council.
She has been a member of Dorchester Town Council for 45 years, and Mayor three times. She has filled many district and town council roles and currently chairs Dorset Council, after the LibDems’ victory in the local elections of May 2024. When she took the chair, she symbolically removed her yellow LibDem scarf as she took the chain of office, demonstrating she wanted to remain non-political in the post. Stella was awarded the MBE in 2016 and continues to volunteer with youth charities.
Changing times
When Stella joined the council in the 70s, local authorities were a very male-dominated environment:’There was a lack of facilities and services for young families – things such as playgrounds and dropped kerbs, where you could get around with a pram,’ she says.
Having served as a councillor for most of her adult life, Stella has worked through challenges with her work-life balance and prioritising her family.
‘It is difficult balancing the role of councillor with that of being a mother and working,’ she says. ‘When my four children were young I had to arrange babysitting, collecting children from school and taking them to after-school activities. As my husband was also a councillor, I relied on good friends to help, and then would help with their children in return. When I went back to teaching I was fortunate that my school, Damers First, was very close to the council offices so I could attend afternoon meetings at the district council and evenings at the town council. It is more difficult for some councillors who live at a distance from Dorchester.
The important part of being a councillor is meeting and helping residents, and this can usually be achieved at a time to fit in with other activities.’
Robert Corben has this year stepped down as councillor in Okeford Fitzpaine Parish Council, following five decades of service.
‘I was first approached by Fred Errington, who ran the village shop at the time. He encouraged me to be a councillor. Don Lambert was my first chairman, he ran a garage on Higher Street, and I’ve served under five chairmen since,’ he says.
‘I’ve seen loads of changes. More than 100 houses have gone up in the village in my time. Back when I started, the parish council was far more laid back. Nowadays it feels like it’s hard to get anything done because of all the legislation. It’s totally different from when I started.’
Stella is keen on change: ‘Yes, there have been many changes over the years. There is much more respect from officers and other councillors for women and younger members now. Contact with residents and officers is also much easier, thanks to the internet. Online meetings help enormously with time management and reduce the need for travel.
‘Councils across the country have had to innovate and change the ways they work to deliver significant savings and efficiencies. But there is only so much we can do in the face of large reductions in government funding and increasing demand for services. I would like to see councils being able to raise money locally and then spend it for the benefit of the residents.’
Big achievements
Members of public have little knowledge of how much work councillors carry out on their behalf. Robert and Stella have both achieved a lot in their half-century of service.
Robert is proud of getting extensions of the village hall and recreation ground pavilion to cope with increased demand. Stella is very proud of simply living up to expectations, and of her work with young people:
‘I am proud that people have faith in me and appreciate what I have achieved, and have re-elected me many times over the 51 years. I am also proud of being mayor of Dorchester three times, and now chairing Dorset Council. And I am proud of involving young people in council issues by setting up Dorchester Youth Council,’ says Stella.
Inspiring future councillors is essential if Dorset is to attract new people to elected roles. During the recent town and parish council elections in the county, only 18 per cent of Dorset’s civil parishes were contested at the polling stations – with no competition, election is by default. Many of the uncontested parishes also had vacancies.
Robert has advice for new and prospective councillors: ‘Do your best. I’ve always done what I think is best for the village. Not everyone will agree with you, but that’s how it is. That’s democracy.’
Stella says: ‘My advice is to keep in touch with all your residents. Listen to their views and visit anyone who contacts you with a problem. We’re here to represent our community and that’s got to be the overwhelming influence in your decision to be a councillor. Stick to your principles and clearly state your views – but don’t talk too much, or people will simply stop listening to you.’
