The LGA’s longest-serving political group leader is standing down
Women in local government, tackling climate change, and civility in public life are just some of the issues Cllr Marianne Overton MBE has championed as Leader of the LGA’s Independent Group.
But for her, the biggest achievement of her 14 years in the role has been creating an identity for Independent Group members – one that’s respected by colleagues, the public and the media, because it is based on a determination to “put residents front and centre of our work”.
“When I started, I thought there were almost no Independent-run councils – the council-control map didn’t count City of London or the Isles of Scilly as they were ‘different’,” says Cllr Overton.
“Under the LGA’s political proportionality rules, we were at 6 per cent and about to lose our office and not have a group at all. Now we make up 19.5 per cent of councillors across England and Wales, a total of around 3,370 members.
“More than 50 councils are run by Independents, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg. All this has only been possible because it is underpinned by a foundation of really effective councillors making a difference on the ground.
“I have worked to give Independents the sense that they are not novices, and that they are a very important part of the power in local government.”
Cllr Overton’s political career started in the front room of a local resident’s home in rural Lincolnshire.
“She had a small front window that hammered and rattled all day and let in black dust; you couldn’t hear the TV because of the huge numbers of lorries going past – there was no pavement between her and the road,” says Cllr Overton.
“We needed a by-pass, but our local council wasn’t supporting us.
“I could see the bigger parties were not always representing residents nor doing right by them.”
After successfully helping fight that battle, and another seeing off a planning application for thousands of houses, swamping a small village, Cllr Overton stood first as a parish councillor – joining Welbourn Parish Council , in 1991; then was elected to North Kesteven District Council in 1995; and Lincolnshire County Council in 2001. She also served on the East Midlands Regional Assembly, the board of Governors of the University of Lincoln and of the Primary Care Trust commissioning health for the whole of Lincolnshire, and as Chairman of the charity, Relate Lincolnshire.
She became Leader of the LGA’s Independent Group and LGA Vice-Chair in 2011, and in 2014 she was made an MBE for her services to local government.
She stood in May as the Independent candidate in the inaugural election for Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, coming in ahead of the Greens and the Liberal Democrats.
While she will be standing down as Leader of the Independent Group at the LGA’s General Assembly in Liverpool on 1 July, she continues to work locally as a district and county councillor, and internationally spokesperson on climate change and energy on the Climate and Energy on the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR).
Cllr Overton said her experience at the LGA has been “wonderful” and thanked the “really clever, competent and successful” councillor colleagues and staff she has worked with.
“The LGA has been thoroughly cross-party, and I have really enjoyed working alongside top councillors from across the country, sharing and developing ideas and creating policies that governments of all political colours can adopt to improve the lives of our residents,” she added.
“Good political acumen is needed now more than ever. We need local government to work together across the board if it’s going to be successful in facing the really big challenges – funding, climate change, reorganisation, planning.
“And what better can you do, than using your skills and talents working to improve your local area through local government?”
Councillor Louise Gittins, Chair of the LGA
I want to recognise Cllr Overton for her exceptional leadership and commitment to the LGA and local government more widely.
To have served as the Independent Group Leader at the LGA for more than 14 years is an extraordinary achievement. Over that period, she has consistently championed local democracy and the interests of Independent councillors.
I also want to thank her for her tireless work as Chair of our Civility in Public Life Steering Group, promoting a more decent and respectful environment for all current and would-be councillors.
On a personal note, I am truly grateful for the support Cllr Overton has offered me as Chair of the LGA since July 2024, exemplifying the cross-party spirit that is our core strength.
As the first woman to lead an LGA political group and the longest-serving group leader, her mark on the LGA and local government is indelible, but I know she has also championed and campaigned on issues, such as the environment, internationally too.
I know that Cllr Overton will continue working hard for her residents and the things close to her heart, but on behalf of the LGA, I want to thank her again and wish her every success and happiness in all that lies ahead.
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of the LGA’s Labour Group
Marianne’s dedicated service to her residents spans many years and is a record she can be proud of.
She has distinguished herself leading the broad church that is the LGA’s Independent Group, and I have enjoyed working with her for the collective good of local government. I wish her every future success.
Councillor Abi Brown, Deputy Leader of the LGA’s Conservative Group
Marianne’s longevity at the LGA is testament to her tenacity and ability to carefully manage the multiple interests of the smaller groupings within the Independent Group, offering genuine support and understanding, and the ability to engage on a level playing field with the national political groups.
Her enthusiasm for local government and in particular championing issues such as civility in public life and environmental issues have been timely reminders that all politics is local. She leaves a strong legacy in the Independent Group and the wider LGA.
Councillor Joe Harris, Leader of the LGA’s Liberal Democrat Group
As the public face and driving force behind the Debate Not Hate campaign, Marianne has energetically spoken out for a better way to do politics and against an atmosphere that puts far too many people off serving in local government.
The progress and visibility that we have seen in this area is in large part a result of Marianne’s energy, passion and commitment.