Labour has chosen its candidate to stand in the first Sussex mayoral election next May.
Caroline Baxter, who turned 50 last month, went to school in Hove and is a partner in garage business SB Motors (Hove) LLP, in Newton Road, Hove, with her husband Shaun Baxter.
Mrs Baxter, a former student at the Brighton Metropolitan College (Brighton Met), works as chief of staff to Worthing West MP Beccy Cooper.
She represents Central ward on Worthing Borough Council and Worthing East division on West Sussex County Council where she was the Labour group leader.
Labour said: “As Worthing’s cabinet member for regeneration until last year, Caroline led major progress across the town’s key brownfield and heritage sites.”
The party said that she was credited with “unlocking long-stalled housing schemes at Teville Gate and Union Place and promoting a ‘brownfield first’ sustainable approach to housing and regeneration”.
She championed the £2.7 million transformation of Montague Gardens and supported the creation of new and extended conservation areas to protect Worthing’s historic seafront.
Labour said: “She worked across council partnerships to secure investment through the Worthing Growth Deal and delivered community infrastructure funding to improve local community projects.
“At county level, she continues to work tirelessly to secure vital road repairs for residents while representing communities on critical issues including SEND (special educational needs and disabilities), social care and education.
“She has also built a successful independent car servicing and maintenance business in Brighton and Hove over the past three decades.”
Mrs Baxter said: “I am delighted to stand to be the first ever mayor of Sussex.
“I have served my community as a borough and county councillor since 2018 and know first-hand that we must unlock opportunities for everyone in Sussex and build facilities and services that work for us all.”
Labour said: “Caroline grew up in East Sussex, attending school in Hove before building her business.
“She moved to Worthing over 20 years ago and raised her family locally.
“As a business owner, councillor and mum, Caroline has built her life and career across East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton and Hove and understands what people living across the region need from a mayor.”
Mrs Baxter added: “At work I was often the only woman in a male-dominated industry but I succeeded and thrived.
“I want to make sure everyone can find and achieve success, whatever they’re good at and passionate about.
“Young people and businesses urgently need opportunities to develop their skills, grow and thrive in Sussex.
“Only a Labour mayor working with our Labour government can deliver this vital change from coast to countryside.”
Her biggest issue will be no one trusts Labour, and probably even fewer will after the forthcoming budget and the threatened manifesto promises being broken.
Liebour are finished. In my 70 years I cannot recall a Labour Cabinet so full of thickos.
Congratulations Caroline,
Keep pressing for manual and technical skills to be given a much bigger priority in Sussex. They have been given too little attention and the administrative roles have subsumed wealth creation which is the only way we can ensure this country’s growth and better quality of services and life for all. Happy to help.
As Cabinet Member for Regeneration she has to share responsibility for Worthing Borough Council racking up debts of £215 million. Don’t give Caroline Baxter the chance to ruin the whole of Sussex like she & Labour have done in Worthing!