A Shoreham councillor has resigned over a ‘local political event’, weeks after she failed to be shortlisted as a parliamentary candidate.
Cat Arnold, who represents St Mary’s ward on Adur Council, announced as of March 12 she had ‘stood down’ as a ward councillor of six years.
Posting a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, she said it was a decision ‘taken purely by myself’, and that she would continue her work with the local Labour Party team.
She said: “In the last couple of months a local, political event forced me to re-evaluate the dedication and commitment I have given to my role in local politics.
“It has been tough at times being a councillor and I have learnt so much, but I have thoroughly enjoyed it and the people I have worked with and helped along the way.
“This includes working with my wonderful local, Labour Party team, who I cannot fault, and are brilliant colleagues.
“I step away being proud of my community, my work and the people within it, I wish my successor in the ward well.”
A statement from me on why I am stepping down as councillor, with immediate effect (this is the rules, I'm afraid).
Thank you dearest Shoreham and @EWASLabour, you've been amazing! With love and sadness Cat x pic.twitter.com/gYctqUQvgj
— Cat Arnold (@catarnold_) March 12, 2024
She stated her intention to keep running the Adur Community Café in Southwick and retain her involvement as CEO of Adur Voluntary Action, a charity which provides support for other charities and community development in Adur.
Controversy was sparked last year after Cllr Arnold and Worthing Borough Council’s deputy leader Carl Walker (Lab, Selden), were not included in Labour’s final selections for its general election candidate for the constituency of East Worthing & Shoreham.
The two were the only local councillors on the longlist, with Tom Rutland, a Labour councillor for the London borough of Lambeth, eventually winning selection for the constituency.
Adur’s Labour leader Jeremy Gardner (Lab, St Mary’s) said in a statement to the local democracy reporting service that Cllr Arnold had been a ‘remarkable councillor and campaigner’ for Adur.
He said she had campaigned for housing, schools and school placements, the environment, conserving railway ticket offices and to save family centres in the district.
He said: “Everyone in the Adur Labour group of councillors thanks Cat for her hard work, ideas and determination to improve people’s lives.
“While Cat has stepped down as a councillor to allow her more time for family and work, she will continue to be active in our community.”
Council leader Neil Parkin (Con, Hillside) said he was ‘very surprised’ to hear about the resignation, saying she was a ‘great’ councillor.
He said he was not sure if the resignation had anything to do with the Labour East Worthing & Shoreham parliamentary candidate selection, but that it was ‘disgusting’ she was not even considered for the final four choices, or the shortlist.
Cllr Arnold said on X that Cllr Gardner had been handed the ‘outstanding’ council work left unresolved by her resignation.
Cllr Gardner selection for the empty St Mary’s ward seat would take place on Tuesday, March 19, with the chosen candidate running in the May 2 local council elections without a separate by-election.
