Andrew Hodges Christchurch Ward Councillor since 1976 in the Borough of Guildford

Andrew Hodges first stood for the Guildford Borough Council in 1973. He stood in the Stoke Ward, which was, and is a Labour stronghold. His first major encounter was over the sale of Council Houses, when he collected a petition from Stoke Ward Council House tenants. He presented this petition to the then Mayor of Guildford, and Labour member for the Stoke Ward, Bill Bellerby. The Council has now embraced the Right to Buy principle. Since 1976 he has stood and won one of the two seats in the Christchurch Ward.

He became was a member of the Jubilee Committee in 1976, and was Chairman of the Youth Activities group as part of the celebrations for the Queen's Silver Jubilee.

He was the Vice Chairman of the Personal Services Committee ( later name changed to Housing and Health Committee from 1977 until in 1983 when he became the Committee's Chairman. He stepped down from the Chairmanship in 1987 when we was elected Mayor of the Borough.  While he was Chairman of the Housing and Health Committee, he introduced the "help on Hand" emergency communications system.

Among many events as Mayor, he dug the "first sod" at the beginning of the construction of the YMCA centre in Bridge Street, and also the carpark on the site of the old engine sheds. He re-opened the new paving in Market Street.  He joined in celebrations of the centenary of Guildford High School and the 75th anniversary of Peaslake School. He planted trees, including ones at the WRAC barracks in Stoughton, and Sutherland Memorial Park in Burpham. he opened the refurbished foyer of the Civic Hall. 

On completing his year as Mayor, he became the vice-chairman of the Arts and Recreation Committee in 1988.  After the Conservatives lost control of the Borough Council in 1991, he became Deputy Vice-Chairman until 1993, when he became Chairman of the Housing and Health Committee again until 1995.

He was elected the Leader of the Conservative Group on the Council in 1998, and became Leader of the Council when the Conservatives regained control of the Council in 2003.