SUSSEX DECIDES: Conservative grip on Arun District Council continues

The Conservatives maintained their iron grip of the local authority as it entered its fifth decade.

The party again swept aside all the opposition to leave its strong majority barely dented.

Even the rise of UKIP was unable to shake the political order which has been the same on Arun since it was formed in 1974.

Conservative group leader Gillian Brown said: “It feels great and absolutely fantastic. It’s a brilliant result which reflects the Conservatives’ national success.

“We have got some very exciting decisions to make in the future and I am really looking forward to the next four years.”

UKIP’s only consolation was the fact it now has four members of the council for the first time.

That puts it just behind the main opposition group, the Liberal Democrats with five seats, and ahead of the two independents and sole Labour member.

The final tally of seats declared at 6.25pm on Saturday was Conservatives 42, Lib Dem five, UKIP four, Independent two and Labour one.

This gives the Conservatives a majority of 30 out of the 54 seats compared to the majority of 34 in the previous 56 seat council.

Nigel Lynn, chief executive of the council extended his thanks to his staff for their organisation during the three elections as around 70 people were involved in the counts.

“I believe it’s the first time since 1979 that the district, parish and general elections all happened on the same day and I thank my staff for all their hard work and effort in making it sure it went smoothly.”