There has been a record-low turnout in a poll on the future of a West Sussex district council, despite the vote costing the taxpayer £20,000.
435 voters - or 2.8% of the Bognor Regis electorate - took part in what the Chief Executive Nigel Lynn described as ‘the lowest ever recorded turnout in Arun's history’.
Those who took part in the non-binding referendum voted to abolish all district level councils in West Sussex, including Arun District Council.
The proposal would have seen their work being done by a Unitary West Sussex County Council working in conjunction with parish-level councils.
Cllr Jan Cosgrove, who proposed the poll, told the BBC that the turnout would have been higher had the campaign gone on longer.
A spokesman for the Department of Communities and Local Government said: ‘The government is willing to listen to any proposals which deliver better local services, greater value for money and stronger local leadership.’
