# 2003 Arun District Council election

The 2003 Arun District Council election took place on 1 May 2003 to elect members of Arun District Council in West Sussex, England. The whole council was up for election with boundary changes since the last election in 1999. The Conservative Party stayed in overall control of the council.

## Campaign

Before the election the Conservatives ran the council, as they had since it was founded in 1973, with 37 seats, compared to 9 Liberal Democrats, 8 Labour and 2 Independent councillors. In total 138 candidates stood for the 56 seats being contested over 27 wards, with the boundaries having been changed since the 1999 election.
Issues in the election included council tax levels, refuse collection, the closure of Arundel Pool, a shortage of low cost homes, crime and anti-social behaviour and plans to devolve power more locally within the council area.

## Election result

The results saw the Conservatives stay in control of the council after winning 36 seats, compared to 11 Liberal Democrats, 8 Labour and 1 independent. The leaders of each of the Liberal Democrats, John Richards, Labour, Roger Nash, and independents Bill Redman, were all defeated at the election, with the Labour leader Roger Nash losing by 1 vote in Pevensey ward.
Arun Local Election Result 2003 :
| Party | Seats | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes | +/− |
| Conservative | 36 | 0 | 64.3 | 52.8 | 35,106 | +2.5% |
| Liberal Democrats | 11 | +1 | 19.6 | 28.3 | 18,834 | +0.8% |
| Labour | 8 | 0 | 14.3 | 13.9 | 9,250 | -4.2% |
| Independent | 1 | -1 | 1.8 | 4.4 | 2,914 | +0.3% |
| UKIP | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.6 | 431 | +0.6% |

## Ward results

Aldwick East (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Gillian Brown | 890 | 28.8 |
| | Conservative | Robin Brown | 872 | 28.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | William Wolforth | 529 | 17.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Brian Dodd | 524 | 17.0 |
| | Labour | Michael Neville | 154 | 4.5 |
| | Labour | Simon Mouatt | 125 | 4.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,094 | 39.6 |
Aldwick West (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Frances Coleman | 875 | 34.0 |
| | Conservative | Jacqueline Maconachie | 789 | 30.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Janet Collier | 289 | 11.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Gary Smith | 251 | 9.7 |
| | Labour | Raymond Leigh | 203 | 7.9 |
| | Labour | Leslie Rich | 171 | 6.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,578 | 33.3 |
Angmering (3) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Julie Hazelhurst | 886 | 29.6 |
| | Conservative | Michael Church | 862 | 28.8 |
| | Conservative | Oliver Wingrove | 733 | 24.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Margaret Munro | 512 | 17.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,993 | 28.0 |
Arundel (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Donald Ayling | 803 | 30.6 |
| | Conservative | Steven Dendle | 675 | 25.7 |
| | Independent | William Redman | 631 | 24.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Ivan Olney | 410 | 15.6 |
| | Labour | Peter Slowe | 107 | 4.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,626 | 42.3 |
Barnham (3) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Jean Goad | 1,322 | 25.4 |
| | Conservative | Anthony Dixon | 1,220 | 23.5 |
| | Conservative | Richard Wilby | 1,185 | 22.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Ian Menzies | 613 | 11.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Barbara Roberts | 442 | 8.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Alfred Roberts | 413 | 7.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,195 | 30.3 |
Beach (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | James Walsh | 647 | 31.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Richard James | 558 | 26.8 |
| | Conservative | David Hodgson | 473 | 22.7 |
| | Labour | Andrew McTaggart | 211 | 10.1 |
| | Labour | Andy Parker | 196 | 9.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,085 | 33.0 |
Bersted (3) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | Simon McDougall | 801 | 22.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Sylvia Olliver | 780 | 21.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Martin Lury | 718 | 19.8 |
| | Conservative | Eric Pond | 375 | 10.3 |
| | Labour | Patrick Hastings | 364 | 10.0 |
| | Labour | Simon Holland | 319 | 8.8 |
| | Labour | Gail Walker | 278 | 7.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,635 | 24.6 |
Brookfield (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Alan Gammon | 357 | 24.4 |
| | Labour | David Dyball | 334 | 22.8 |
| | Labour | Mark Thomson | 303 | 20.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Paul Graydon | 238 | 16.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Nicholas Wiltshire | 233 | 15.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,465 | 22.0 |
East Preston with Kingston (3) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Richard Bower | 1,374 | 30.0 |
| | Conservative | John Rankin | 1,345 | 29.3 |
| | Conservative | Dennis Wilde | 1,308 | 28.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | George Schlich | 563 | 12.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,590 | 32.9 |
Felpham East (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Susan Kelly | 712 | 32.0 |
| | Conservative | Simon Weston | 602 | 27.1 |
| | Independent | Michael Harvey | 571 | 25.7 |
| | Labour | Stephen McConnell | 172 | 7.7 |
| | Labour | Sharon Whitlam | 166 | 7.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,223 | 32.8 |
Felpham West (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Alan Stainton | 684 | 27.4 |
| | Conservative | Elaine Stainton | 612 | 24.5 |
| | Independent | Mary Harvey | 547 | 22.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Michael Chapman | 274 | 11.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Michelle White | 155 | 6.2 |
| | Labour | Melanie Webb | 121 | 4.8 |
| | Labour | Sharon Kingswell | 102 | 4.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,495 | 34.8 |
Ferring (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Roger Elkins | 1,092 | 38.1 |
| | Conservative | David Hill | 1,052 | 36.7 |
| | Labour | Henry Miller | 382 | 13.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Lyndsey Green | 341 | 11.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,867 | 41.9 |
Findon :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Stephen Brookman | 564 | 77.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Kay Schlich | 166 | 22.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 398 | 54.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 730 | 37.3 |
Ham (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Anthony Squires | 375 | 29.3 |
| | Labour | Michael Northeast | 350 | 27.3 |
| | Conservative | Sarah Britton | 213 | 16.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Anchorette Blackstone | 179 | 14.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | John Wedderburn | 163 | 12.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,280 | 21.0 |
Hotham (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jeanette Warr | 313 | 19.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Paul Wells | 313 | 19.1 |
| | Conservative | Andrew Evans | 287 | 17.5 |
| | Conservative | Edwin Gyde | 270 | 16.5 |
| | Labour | Michael Jones | 240 | 14.6 |
| | Labour | Carole Richmond | 217 | 13.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,640 | 23.1 |
Marine (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | Kenneth Scutt | 455 | 23.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Ian Harding | 419 | 21.7 |
| | Conservative | Douglas Maconachie | 388 | 20.1 |
| | Conservative | George Blampied | 355 | 18.4 |
| | Labour | Pauline Nash | 158 | 8.2 |
| | Labour | Catherine Mouatt | 152 | 7.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,927 | 26.8 |
Middleton-on-Sea (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Barbara Oakley | 1,008 | 38.0 |
| | Conservative | Paul Wotherspoon | 874 | 33.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Roslyn Kissell | 358 | 13.5 |
| | Labour | Priscilla Matcham | 268 | 10.1 |
| | Labour | Edward Nattrass | 143 | 5.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,651 | 33.8 |
Orchard (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | Francis Oppler | 417 | 26.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Biss | 387 | 24.2 |
| | Labour | Jasper Richmond | 261 | 16.4 |
| | Labour | Alison Sharples | 255 | 16.0 |
| | Conservative | Jean Pereira | 140 | 8.8 |
| | Conservative | Martin Pereira | 136 | 8.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,596 | 21.1 |
Pagham and Rose Green (3) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Leonard Brown | 918 | 19.9 |
| | Conservative | Anita Hall | 917 | 19.9 |
| | Conservative | Ashvinkumar Patel | 913 | 19.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Sara Allen | 406 | 8.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jennifer Gillibrand | 354 | 7.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Robert Gillibrand | 331 | 7.2 |
| | Labour | Anne-Marie Norman | 283 | 6.1 |
| | Labour | Michael Phillips | 252 | 5.5 |
| | Labour | Jeremy Tomlinson | 236 | 5.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,610 | 27.3 |
Pevensey (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Sandra Daniells | 330 | 20.8 |
| | Labour | Jan Cosgrove | 324 | 20.4 |
| | Labour | Roger Nash | 323 | 20.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Kenneth Olliver | 311 | 19.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Vincent McCabe | 299 | 18.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,587 | 25.5 |
River (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Mark Butler | 395 | 22.4 |
| | Labour | Wendy Squires | 360 | 20.4 |
| | Conservative | David Britton | 331 | 18.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Natasha Lear | 259 | 14.7 |
| | Independent | John Cockrell | 235 | 13.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Mark Winterford | 184 | 10.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,764 | 30.5 |
Rustington East (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Philippa Bower | 855 | 33.7 |
| | Conservative | John Rose | 845 | 33.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Irene Richards | 419 | 16.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Allan Turner | 416 | 16.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,535 | 33.8 |
Rustington West (3) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Raymond Steward | 1,009 | |
| | Conservative | Harold Parris | 1,005 | 18.0 |
| | Conservative | Graham Tyler | 974 | 17.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Val Capon | 726 | 12.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | John Ceriog-Hughes | 649 | 11.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | John Richards | 595 | 10.6 |
| | UKIP | Janet Penn | 431 | 7.7 |
| | Labour | Edward Walsh | 222 | 4.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,611 | 33.1 |
Walberton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Norman Dingemans | 646 | 72.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | George Fletcher | 248 | 27.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 398 | 44.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 894 | 39.8 |
Wick with Toddington (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | George O'Neill | 373 | 20.3 |
| | Labour | Alan Butcher | 355 | 19.3 |
| | Conservative | Derek Hulmes | 344 | 18.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Jones | 338 | 18.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Kevin Weller | 304 | 16.5 |
| | Independent | Lilias Cheyne | 127 | 6.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,841 | 29.8 |
Yapton (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | John Matthews | 752 | 37.2 |
| | Conservative | Stephen Haymes | 737 | 36.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Ronald Probert | 270 | 13.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | William Robinson | 264 | 13.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,023 | 28.0 |