BORDON should have its own county councillor, Whitehill Town Council declared on Monday.

Town councillors agreed by a majority vote to accept the viewpoint of the finance and policy committee and plead a case for the town to have its own county representative.

For the past 30 years the town has been split into two by Hampshire County CouncilÕs ward boundary. Michael CartwrightÕs Bramshott ward encompasses Whitehill, while John FilerÕs Headley ward includes Bordon.

But now Hampshire County Council has taken its first steps towards reviewing the situation and the Boundary Commission is asking for local opinion.

Chairman of the finance and policy committee Don Mayes proposed that the town council apply for Bordon and Whitehill to be brought in line with Alton and Petersfield and have its own county councillor.

He argued that it makes sense and would make life easier for voters.

ÒFor obvious reasons, when any of us go out electioneering we start to talk about our council and the area that we cover,Ó he said.

ÒBut when it comes to the Hampshire County Council elections, people are confused because we are split into two so that half is in the Bramshott and Liphook ward and the other half in the Headley ward.

ÒBordon has never had a representative directly from the parish or representing this parish as a whole.

ÒPerhaps it is time to ask for this town to have its own representative.Ó

The councillor said that while the townÕs existing county councillors worked hard, their joint efforts often leaves residents confused and that it can work against Bordon and Whitehill if they are in disagreement over an issue.

Mr Mayes said: ÒIt is no wonder that people are confused. People need to know who is representing them.Ó

However, deputy chairman Chris Wain said: ÒIn the past it has helped us to have two voices at the county council - the Grooms Farm application for example.

ÒShould we really want to give that up?Ó

But Don Mayes said that he was unsure if there really was an advantage in having a split parish.

Town clerk Linda Tiley pointed out that it was only an initial consultation, seeking local views so that proposals can be put together.

The town council had no information about the area wards could cover or the size of the population.

ÒObviously when we have more details these are the kind of things that we will need to review,Ó she said.

By a vote of three to two the council agreed to support the case for the town to have one county councillor. Three members abstained from the vote.