Paul Dendle was elected as a councillor to Arun District Council in May 2003 and returned unopposed in May 2007. This was the first time any District Councillor had been elected unopposed in Arun's 23 years history, He is Chief Whip of the Conservative group on Arun District Council, and was made Cabinet Member for Central Services and Finance in May 2006. Paul is also Arun District council's Trustee representative on Inspire Leisure Trust, which has taken over all leisure services from Arun.