Meet Your County Councillor - Tom Crofts
Following the West Sussex County Council elections on May 7th 2026, Pulborough Post sat down with newly elected councillor Tom Crofts to discuss his background, his first impressions of life at County Hall, and his priorities for the year ahead — including how he plans to work closely with the parish councils across his division. These are: Pulborough, West Chiltington, Thakeham, Coldwaltham and Nutbourne.
Your Background and Path to County Hall
Q: Many residents may know your name from the recent County election ballot form, but not everyone will know your full background. What experience do you feel best prepared you for becoming a County Councillor?
A: Tom: I spent a lot of time involved in community-focused projects when I lived in London and after I moved to Sussex. That gave me a strong understanding of how local issues affect people day to day. My professional background has also taught me how to navigate complex systems, work collaboratively and, importantly, find practical solutions to shared problems. I think those skills translate well to the responsibilities of a County Councillor.
Q: Was there a particular moment or issue that motivated you to stand for election?
A: Tom: There wasn't one single moment, although concerns about unsustainable and inappropriate housing development did play a part in my final decision. It was more a growing sense that I could help bridge the gap between residents, parish councils, Horsham District Council and West Sussex County Council. I wanted to bring a constructive, community-centred voice to County Hall.
First Impressions Since Election
Q: What have your first few weeks as a County Councillor been like? Any surprises?
A: Tom: It's been both energising and eye-opening. The scale of the work is bigger than many people realise — from highways and transport to social care and education. The induction has been a steep learning curve, and colleagues have been incredibly supportive. One of the biggest surprises has been seeing just how much work goes on behind the scenes to deliver county services and respond to local issues.
Q: What has been most rewarding so far? And what has been most challenging?
A: Tom: The most rewarding part has been meeting residents and hearing directly what matters to them. The challenging part is balancing immediate concerns with longer-term strategic planning. You want to fix everything at once, but you quickly learn the importance of prioritising, understanding what can be done locally, and making sure issues are escalated to the right team and resources.
Priorities
Q: What are your top priorities for your first year in office?
A: Tom: My focus is on four areas:
- Making progress towards a resolution of the continuing issues at Church Hill.
- Strengthening communication between the county and local communities.
- Improving responsiveness on issues such as highways, drainage and local infrastructure, as well as helping residents navigate county services.
- Supporting vulnerable residents, particularly where county services play a critical role.
Q: Which campaign issues are you already beginning to act on?
A: Tom: Highways and road safety came up repeatedly during the campaign, so I'm already working with officers to understand what can be done in the short term and what requires longer-term planning.
Separately, the ongoing issues at Church Hill and the recently proposed Kingswood site at Adversane were also major campaign issues, and I'm continuing to engage with the relevant councils, officers and local representatives on them.
Working with Parish Councils
Q: You’ve spoken about the importance of parish councils. How do you plan to build strong working relationships with them?
A: Tom: Parish councils are the closest tier of local government to residents, so they're essential partners. I'm committed to meeting parish councils regularly, attending their meetings where appropriate, understanding their priorities and making sure they have a clear line into county processes. Collaboration is key — we can achieve far more when we work together.
Q: Have you had any early conversations with parish councils yet?
A: Tom: Yes, I've already met with most of them. Common themes include highways, planning pressures, crime prevention and making sure communities feel heard. Those conversations have been constructive, and I'm looking forward to building on them and making sure recurring issues are followed through with the appropriate authorities.
Q: Do you see opportunities for joint initiatives?
A: Tom: Absolutely! Whether it's local resilience planning, community safety or small-scale infrastructure improvements, parish councils bring invaluable local insight. I want to develop a partnership based on shared problem-solving rather than isolated conversations.
Looking Ahead
Q: What do you hope residents will say about your work after your first year?
A: Tom: I hope people will say I've been visible, responsive and constructive — someone who listens, follows things through and works hard to get things done.
Q: How will you stay accessible to the communities you represent?
A: Tom: I'm putting arrangements in place for regular surgeries, parish council attendance, community events and clear communication channels. Being present and accessible matters, and I want residents to know how to contact me and, just as importantly, know that their concerns will be heard and followed up.
If you have questions for Councillor Croft, you can email him: tom.crofts@westsussex.gov.uk or send us your questions and we can ask him in print : editor@pulboroughpost.co.uk