Conservative candidate Paul Evans won the East Saltdean by-election for a seat on Telscombe Town Council yesterday by just four votes.
Mr Evans polled 268 votes, with Liberal Democrat Simon Doyle polling 264.
The only other candidate, John Carden, standing for the Labour Party, attracted 112 votes.
Mr Evans, of Steyning Road, Rottingdean, said after the result was announced: “Thank you to everyone who voted for me yesterday.”
Mr Evans owns the Crowborough Lodge Care Home in Crowborough Road, Saltdean.
He said: “I will work hard for the residents of East Saltdean and continue the good work of the Conservatives on Telscombe Town Council in safeguarding the Tye, keeping council tax low and working to protect the Lido.”
The Tories were unhappy about the by-election being held, saying there were due to be only four meetings of the council before the next local elections in May.
They said that it was “an unnecessary expense and distraction to the local electorate”.
The Liberal Democrats criticised Telscombe Town Council for not sending out polling cards to tell people when and where they could vote.
The next full council meeting is due to be held on Tuesday 16 November with a planning and highways committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday 3 November.
