Pupils rule the roost at Arun takeover day

However, it was not district councillors taking part in the final ballot but primary school pupils from across Arundel, Climping, Littlehampton, Lyminster and Rustington.

More than 20 youth councillors, aged between six and 11, crammed into the council chambers at Arun’s Civic Centre, in Maltravers Road, Littlehampton, to elect their new chairman and vice-chairman.

And it was a close competition, with almost a dozen children vying for the position.

But after speeches came to a close and votes were made, the top job was awarded to Arundel CofE’s India Craddock.

The nine-year-old made an impassioned speech, which surprised Arun’s own vice-chairman, Dougal Maconachie.

She told the youth councillors and their more senior counterparts how she would vow to do her best to improve services for the elderly in the district, explaining that her grandfather needed more places to go out and relax.

She also said that she would strive to try and improve the use of solar power within the district, saying she would urge Arun, with the support of her fellow youth council members, to introduce more solar panels on new homes.

For the full story, see the Littlehampton Gazette, out today (Thursday, November 28).