A SOUTH Gloucestershire councillor has been spared a driving ban after he admitted being in charge of a vehicle after taking cocaine.
Matt Palmer represents the New Cheltenham ward, which includes the Siston Hill estate, and is a former Emersons Green town councillor.
He was found parked at the roadside by police last summer and pleaded guilty to being in charge of a vehicle while above the limit for a specified controlled drug at Bristol Magistrates Court in November.
Cllr Palmer was suspended from the Labour Party following the plea hearing, with a party spokesperson saying he had failed to inform colleagues after his arrest.
He has continued to represent the ward as an independent councillor.
Returning to the court in February, Cllr Palmer was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid community work, comply with a one-year community order and had ten points added to his licence – two points short of a ban.
Cllr Palmer previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he was in crisis at the time of the incident, which happened in the early hours of July 2, and was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder after struggling with his mental health.
He was taking strong prescription medication at the time, and said he couldn’t remember taking the cocaine as he had also been drunk.
Following the sentencing hearing Cllr Palmer told the Voice: “I was found in my car following an attempted overdose.
“At the time, the situation was treated by police as an offence rather than as a medical emergency.
“Since then, I have been prescribed appropriate medication and have been working closely with secondary mental health services.
“With the right support and treatment, my health and outlook have improved significantly.
“During this period, the Labour Party made the decision to remove the whip and withdraw its support, including character references.
“While that was disappointing, my focus remains firmly on recovery, service and moving forward positively.
“Now that my life is back on track, I will continue to serve residents as an independent councillor, giving my full commitment to the community.
“There is help available for anyone who may be struggling.
“If you need support, please do reach out. I am always happy to talk and can also signpost you to a range of professional support networks.”
Cllr Palmer chaired the council’s health overview scrutiny committee before the incident but lost the position after being suspended from the party. He had previously been Labour’s lead councillor for planning.
At the time of his first court appearance, Labour said the group had withdrawn the whip immediately from Cllr Palmer “due to failure to disclose a court matter and misrepresentation to the group”.