Long-serving councillor named new chairman for Chichester district

Clare Apel (Lib Dem, Chichester West) took over from Elizabeth Hamilton (Con, The Witterings) during the annual council meeting on Wednesday (May 17).

Mrs Apel, who has been a councillor since 1999, said Mrs Hamilton had carried out her role ‘admirably’.

She added: “Compared to her in height, I may be a half-pint, but I promise that you will have from me full measure of integrity and impartiality.”

Joking that, as chair, she would ‘not be sat upon’, Mrs Apel said: “I’ve always believed in co-operation and consultation rather than confrontation and I hope this will be so for this council.”

Mrs Hamilton said she had been ‘very honoured’ to represent the district and its residents through some tough years.

Looking back at some of the achievements, she highlighted the council’s Supporting You campaign, which was launched in November to help people struggling with the cost of living crisis.