hits back at association claims

statement from the Chichester Conservative Association questioned her competency

Yes, there was a rocky time before I stood down, that happens to most at some time LOUISE GOLDSMITH Former county council leader and Conservative councillor

protection. And the £190,000 per year chief executive Nathan Elvery left by mutual consent — with a substantial £265,000 financial settlement made by the subsequent administration.

Local party chair, Jane Kilby said: “We are extremely grateful for the service of both Jamie and Louise over many years as Conservative councillors.

“Our candidates must share our core ambitions and commitment to supporting our campaigning efforts.”

But Mrs Goldsmith said: “Yes, there was a very rocky time before I stood down, that happens to most at some time, but following an earlier Peer Review, work had started improving the governance with regular public cabinet meetings.

“A thorough review of the scrutiny process was undertaken where the recommendations were put in place.

“I appointed the new Chief Fire Officer to drive through improvements as highlighted in the Fire Inspection Report.

“Children’s Services has been weak for a long time despite many interventions and considerable investment.

“I was always worried about the service – the Ofsted report was devastating for me personally, I truly felt let down as I, the cabinet and the council had let vulnerable children down, but a new improvement team was brought in and considerable work was underway before the commissioner came in.

“What I did was put in place the improvements that were needed to be made and it is good to see them continuing.

“I then resigned as leader, despite many pleas from many group members at the time not to – but morally it was right – perhaps others elsewhere, in Westminster, should also consider such actions.

“As for the economy, I am also proud to have been involved in the setting up of the Coast 2 Capital Local Enterprise Partnership.

“Developing the tourism offer through ‘Experience West Sussex’ and the recently opened ‘The Track’ in Bognor Regis – something I had been working on for well over two years, as well as the ‘Let’s Talk about our Towns’ initiative to start creative thinking for the future of our towns across West Sussex, not to mention the exciting plans for Horsham Enterprise Park, formerly the Novartis site.

“The Gigabyte project improving broadband connection through the county which attracted considerable government funding, and work is underway improving connectivity including rural areas.

“The Chichester Conservative Office failed to mention the soundness and the long enduring track record of the county council’s finances and the impressive capital programme which was put in place a couple of years ago, where we have been improving and building schools across the county, investing in some muchneeded infrastructure, and I am delighted that we have not closed one library in West Sussex.

“However we should never forget the communities made up of the people we represent, and we have some amazing communities in West Sussex.

“It is my great belief that, if you trust and help residents working together, so much can be achieved.

“We started with Operation

Watershed, now a national exemplar. I always said that WSCC is there in an emergency.”

Announcing his resignation, Mr Fitzjohn said: “I have always put my residents’ interests first and will continue to do so for the remainder of my term.”

The loss of Mrs Goldsmith and Mr Fitzjohn, who both represent Chichester wards, proved to be the catalyst for two more resignations from the party.

Martyn Bell and Christopher Page, who serve on Chichester District Council, are both now listed as Independents.

While Mr Fitzjohn said he would not be standing for re-election in May 2021 and his reasons for leaving were personal, Mrs Goldsmith said she was giving serious thought to standing as an Independent.