Council deputy leader Nathan Hartley quits over drink-drive case
The deputy leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council has resigned from the post after being caught drink-driving.
Councillor Nathan Hartley (Lib Dem, Peasedown St John), has also stood down as the cabinet member for early years, children, and youth, after being fined £350 for driving while over the legal alcohol limit.
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Nathan Hartley
The 28-year-old handed in his resignation at the weekend after appearing at Bath Magistrates Court last Wednesday.
Leader of the council Paul Crossley said: “I have accepted Nathan’s resignation. He made an error of judgement and decided that his cabinet position was unsustainable because of his conviction.
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“I would like to thank Nathan for his dedication and hard work over the past 15 months where he has overseen the continued improvement of our children’s services and implemented key cabinet policies, such as retaining Culverhay School.”
Mr Crossley will take over Mr Hartley's previous responsibilities until a successor is appointed.
The court heard he had been stopped just after 1.15am on June 16 after police officers had become concerned about his erratic driving.
Mr Hartley, who is currently on a holiday planned before the court case, will remain a local councillor, a position he has held since 2007.
He had been in the cabinet since his party took over the running of B&NES in May 2011.
The politician, who also runs a public relations company, was just over the limit when he was pulled over in Odd Down, after drinking what he said was less than two pints of beer.
Mr Hartley, who was banned from the road for a year, had said he had the support of Bath MP Don Foster and Mr Crossley.
Comments
by oliv123
Wednesday, August 29 2012, 9:27PM
“Can't be a coincidence that most of the ludicrous and negative comments on here are riddled with spelling mistakes. Sign of a complete lack of intelligence probably.
Nathan's worked hard and sincerely to improve people's lives in the communities he's served. It's been so refreshing to have a genuine politician for once.
Personally I'm sorry that he's had to resign. The council is far worse without him.”
by Dodeperks
Wednesday, August 29 2012, 10:45AM
“Good riddance now why doesnt he do the best thing and quit has Peasedown's councillor has i have asked him to help myself out and my neighbours with certain things over the past year and i might has well have asked a brick wall for all the use he is”
by KatiePSJ1979
Wednesday, August 29 2012, 8:44AM
“I think Nathan has done/does an amazing job, and he's devoted to bettering lives and the village of Peasedown and roundabout! Everyone makes mistakes :o(”
by jdd1977
Wednesday, August 29 2012, 12:10AM
“I don't expect our elected representatives to be error free, either in their political or private lives; but I do expect them to take ownership for their actions. On the face of it therefore, I applaud Mr Hartley for taking the decision to resign from his cabinet position and hope the matter serves as a lesson, not just for him, but to others about the non-accident related consequences of drink driving (often forgotten next to the justifiable attention given to some of the other more serious outcomes). It is perhaps regrettable that he chose the particular tac he did in defending himself (not described in this article, but covered elsewhere in the Bath Chronicle). While everyone is entitled to defend themselves when brought before a magistrate, the quibbling over single digit milligrams of alcohol does rather lessen his case for understanding what lies at the heart of the anti-drink driving laws.”
by KBillies
Tuesday, August 28 2012, 8:30PM
“This honorable man has paid a heavy price for what has happened.
Lets hope he can start his political rehabilitation soon as even is opponents acknowledge.”
by Viscount_V
Tuesday, August 28 2012, 7:29PM
“Even I'm forced to admit Nathan's a good Councillor and worked hard in the roles he's resigned from. Unlike Cllr Webber who assaulted a woman causing her injury for which he was cautioned.”
by Bristolexpat
Tuesday, August 28 2012, 7:08PM
“The guy caught, held his hands up, resigned from his post without fuss.
Is that not enough for the witch hunters?”
by BarryW
Tuesday, August 28 2012, 6:01PM
“It is also written
"let he who is without sin cast the first stone"”
by a1rhellair
Tuesday, August 28 2012, 5:49PM
“There will always be work for Cllr Hartley as a 'looking angry against a rural background' model...”
by rogerh3
Tuesday, August 28 2012, 5:33PM
“It was once the case that those in elected positions in our county were looked upon as those who lead by example and demonstrated the highest of standards in public life."
You are joking, aren't you?
.”