In one of the most surprising announcements of this year's local election campaign, Peasedown St John's Nathan Hartley has announced that he will not be seeking a third term as a local Councillor.

First elected to represent the village on B&NES Council in 2007, he has been a dedicated campaigner for his community ever since. Nathan Hartley is also the original creator of Party in the Park and over the last ten years, has completed more than 3,000 individual pieces of casework for residents.

But now the thirty-year old says it's time to move on. "I've had the privilege of serving as a local Councillor for almost ten years. If you had told me all those years ago that I'd still be here now, doing what I do, I wouldn't have believed it.

"Back in 2005, our village was a different place, and so many of the projects and initiatives we enjoy today didn't exist. It's not been easy, and challenging at times, but I can look back quite happily over the last decade and feel a great sense of pride in what I have achieved.

"I've not always succeeded in achieving what some of you of asked of me and I've made many mistakes along the way, but I've always tried my hardest.

"I was 22 when I first got elected and I'm thirty now. There are so many things I want to do with my life. If I don't do them now, I never will."

Nathan, a graduate in Religious Studies at Bath Spa University, has always been heavily influenced by political and social reformers since his teenage years. A frequent visitor to India, he says he has no firm plan for the future, but it is likely to include travelling, PhD study and possibly even a year living in the Indian subcontinent.

He added: "Over the last two weeks and during this election campaign, I've come to the very strong realisation that it's now time for me to move on. I've contributed all that I can to our great community and now want to hand on to someone else who has the same level of commitment and passion for Peasedown as I do. A new person to take our village forward.

"I believe Karen Walker is that person. For the last seven years, she has been behind some of Peasedown St John's biggest campaigns and initiatives. Never afraid to say 'no' to a challenge, she has helped raise almost £70,000 for good causes in the community and has been extremely proud to call Peasedown home for more than forty years.

"She has the experience, knowledge and enthusiasm to take over where I've left off. No stranger to hard work, she is one of the founders of Peasedown's Party in the Park and the creator of the Fund for Peasedown, which was set up to help those suffering from terminal conditions."

"Nathan has given 110% to the role," said Karen Walker. "I've worked with him in the public arena over the last seven years and have seen the positive impact he has made to so many people's lives. He knows our community better than anyone else and has always been able to strike a balance between addressing each person's individual needs and moving the village forward as a whole. If it is the will of the people, I'd be honoured to carry on his work over the next four years."

Nathan's retirement has sparked another big announcement, with long-serving Lib-Dem Councillor, Sarah Bevan, revealing she has left the party to stand as an Independent alongside Karen Walker. First elected to B&NES in 2003, she is the only person to win three B&NES Council elections in a row in Peasedown St John.

She said: "For the last twelve years, I have been privileged to serve the people of Peasedown St John as a local Councillor on a Lib-Dem ticket. However, disillusionment and the recent funding scandal (currently under investigation) shown on Channel 4's Dispatches recently, caused me to rethink and then cancel my party membership. I would love to continue to serve my community, but freely, without party political constraints.

"My recent conversations with local residents confirm that Peasedown St John is a wonderful place to live, work and play – I would be honoured to be part of its future."

Councillor Paul Crossley (Southdown, Lib-Dem), Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said this week: "This is a surprising announcement. Sarah had previously steadfastly refused to stand again for election in Peasedown St John – saying that after twelve years, she had had enough of being a local Councillor. Local residents will be justifiably confused by this last minute conversion. On May 7th, Peasedown has the opportunity to support two outstanding Lib-Dem candidates, who will work hard for residents: Wera Hobhouse and Ray Love."