Georgina Hill is an Independent Councillor on Northumberland County Council and Independent Regional Lead Peer covering the North East, Yorkshire and Humber area.
A qualified barrister and communications specialist with significant experience within the political world.
She is passionate about openness and transparency. She says; “Local Government can run smoothly if, and only if you have good governance. It is also really important to constantly have at the forefront of your mind that you are a public servant.”
On the Peer and Mentoring work, she adds; “This is such a valuable process - to share your knowledge and experience in an entirely impartial and non-judgmental way to help others within the sector. The Peer process also broadens your own perspective as you learn things and pick up new ideas with every conversation”.
Independent Group National Lead Peer
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Councillor Jo Beavis was first elected in 2003 and has served continuously at Braintree District Council for 20 years. She is the Leader of the main opposition group at the council. Councillor Jo Beavis has been a councillor at Essex County Council and served in both Cabinet Offices.
"I am the Lead Regional Peer for the Eastern Region. Being an Independent Lead Peer at the LGA is a privilege. It is a busy role, and I actively support Independent councillors across the east of England, including the Midlands. I have supported council leaders, cabinet members and backbench/front-line councillors in their roles as local leaders. The role is about communicating the benefits and opportunities of sector-led improvement to help councillors and councils improve and develop."
Councillor Jo helped to launch, support and promote Civility in Public Life - the Debate not Hate campaign. "I would encourage all councillors to sign up for this campaign. I enjoy every aspect of working with councillors. Also, I wholeheartedly encourage councillors in the Eastern Region to contact me if you require advice, support and guidance to help develop your roles or to find out more about how the LGA can help you."
Councillor Andrew Cooper has been a Green Party councillor in Kirklees for the last 25 years. He is a Group Leader, has been a Cabinet member and a Scrutiny Panel Chair.
Councillor Andrew has also been a Council officer, for a number of years, in different local authorities and so can offer that perspective as well as that of an elected member.
"I enjoy learning about other councils and how they operate and sharing my own experience of working cross-party in a no overall control administration for many years. All councils are different in some ways and it is those differences that give us most opportunities to learn."
Independent Group Regional Peer
Representing south east and London
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Independent Group Regional Lead Peer
West Midlands and North West Regions
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Cllr Zoe Nicholson has been a Green Leader of a District Council for over five years and she really enjoys supporting Greens and Independents across the country, being a listening ear and enabling leaders, cabinet members and councillors to find solutions to their problems.
"Mentoring for me is a two-way process that supports my learning of these amazing dedicated and talented councillors and leaders of their community."
Independent Group Regional Lead Peer
Representing the South West Region
[email protected]
