THE fight to save Farnham’s community recycling centre from closure received a timely boost this week.

It comes after an outspoken opponent of Surrey County Council’s proposals to scrap the Bourne Mill tip, Tory councillor for Farnham South Wyatt Ramsdale, was appointed to the council’s new-look cabinet with a responsibility for recycling services county-wide.

Mr Ramsdale’s appointment as deputy cabinet member for environment and waste was announced as Elmbridge councllor Tim Oliver was confirmed as Surrey’s new leader on Tuesday – taking the reins from outgoing council chief David Hodge.

It also comes amid Surrey’s consultation on proposed cuts to the county’s recycling centres – with two of the three cost-cutting options put forward by the cash-strapped authority involving the closure of Farnham’s tip, prompting fears in the town that it could lead to a rise in fly-tipping.

Speaking to the Herald after Tuesday’s full council meeting in Kingston, Mr Ramsdale reiterated his opposition to the closure of Farnham’s recycling centre and said his appointment should allow him to make his voice “heard more easily” at County Hall.

He said: “Obviously I was delighted to be asked to become a deputy cabinet member and for that to have gone through county council today.

“My new role will mean more work and much more time working in County Hall in Kingston especially in the management of issues concerning the environment and waste.

“Thus I shall be able to make my voice heard more easily and I should be more familiar with the community recycling centres and other environmental issues. It will not change my view that closing the Farnham community recycling centre is not the right way forward.

“I look forward to making my voice heard in support of the residents of Farnham in every way I can. However, I am only one voice and we need as many Farnham people as possible to respond to the consultation expressing the view that the Farnham community recycling centre should not be closed.

“One should also appreciate that while I represent Farnham South as a member of cabinet one has to act in the interests of Surrey residents as a whole. Not that there is a conflict in this situation.”

Presenting his new cabinet to councillors on Tuesday after being elected leader, Mr Oliver also appointed a councillor charged with finding an alternative base for County Hall, adding he hopes all staff will have vacated Kingston by 2020 saying it was time they “returned to Surrey”.

He said there was a “steep hill to climb” and that “making this council fit for purpose is not going to be easy”, setting out his ambition to make Surrey “financially sustainable again”.

Mr Oliver continued: “My commitment that I will get the finances of Surrey in order can be clearly demonstrated from my decision to create a post of cabinet member of finance ensuring that sustainable budgets are essential to our thinking.”

He did, however, warn councillors that changes required to make the council fit for purpose would be “uncomfortable”.