Andy Tree, leader of the Whitehill & Bordon Community Party, has been appointed to Hampshire County Council’s cabinet after winning election earlier this month.

At the first full county council meeting since the May 7 election, Cllr Tree was appointed Executive Member for Corporate Services, People and Local Government Reorganisation.

He said the appointment came with immediate assurances that Bordon Household Waste & Recycling Centre and Bordon Library would not be considered for closure in future Hampshire County Council savings programmes.

Cllr Tree, who campaigned to save the recycling centre in 2024, also said discussions about the future of the town’s skills centre building must deliver benefits for Whitehill and Bordon residents.

He said: “I have had to think hard about accepting this role. It will take up a lot more of my time and further erode the time I have for family and business.

“My election pledge and mandate from the May 7 election is to fight for Whitehill, Bordon and Lindford. Any position I take has to meet with that pledge.”

He said local government reorganisation was a major factor in accepting the cabinet position. Current proposals would see Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council abolished and replaced by a new “Mid Hampshire” authority.

Cllr Tree said the changes would affect residents “for decades to come” and argued that having a seat on the cabinet would provide a stronger voice for the area than remaining on the back benches.

Mr Tree added he hoped the role would strengthen relationships with organisations including police and the NHS.

He also acknowledged continuing concerns over Hampshire County Council’s financial position and warned difficult decisions could still lie ahead.

“There has been lots of talk in recent years about Hampshire County Council going bust and cutting services,” he said.

“This makes it even more critical for me to be there to represent us in Whitehill, Bordon and Lindford if things go bad, from decisions taken before my time.”

He also highlighted concerns over highways funding and pothole repairs, claiming government funding delays had made road maintenance more challenging.

He said he would continue pressing for investment in safer roads across the area.

Responding to criticism that independent councillors have less influence than members of national parties, Cllr Tree said the cabinet appointment showed it was possible to “sit at the top table whilst still being independent”.

He added that he remained committed to working across party lines to secure results for local residents.

Cllr Tree won the Whitehill, Bordon and Lindford division in the May 7 election with 3,569 votes, finishing more than 2,600 votes ahead of his nearest rival and securing nearly double the combined total of all opposing candidates.

The appointment came as Conservatives retained control of Hampshire County Council following a leadership vote at the authority’s annual general meeting.

Nick Adams-King was re-elected council leader after defeating Liberal Democrat candidate Keith House by 31 votes to 25. Reform UK councillors abstained, while two councillors were absent.

Following the May 7 elections, the Conservatives hold 27 seats on the county council, the Liberal Democrats 26 and Reform UK 20. The Green Party, Labour, Independent councillors, Whitehill & Bordon Community Party and Community Campaign Hart each hold one seat.