Cllr Adam Paynter is currently the deputy leader of the opposition and shadow cabinet member for customers at Cornwall Council. Adam has been a member of the council since its inception in 2009 and previous to that was a member of Cornwall County Council for 8 years. Adam has held many positions in the council including leader and cabinet member for environment and heritage and resources.
Adam studied agriculture at degree level and works on his family’s farm, whilst also diversifying the farm into renewable energy ventures. He enjoys many sports both playing and watching. He is a keen festival attender and attends both Glastonbury and Reading music festivals volunteering for a medical charity.
“Peer work is really important for me to help councils and councillors improve and make their residents lives better”
Cllr Linda Gillham
"I was elected as an Independent Councillor to Runnymede Borough Council in 2000 and for many years our group formed the only opposition to a Conservative majority. That has changed in recent years but I still lead the largest opposition group.
I was a member of the Committee of the Regions in Brussels for 9 years and since then have been part of the UK representation to the Council of Europe. This focuses on democracy and the relationship between Central and Local Government and monitoring local elections across 46 countries.
"Locally I have been part of a team developing the Local Plan and the Neighbourhood Plan for my village and worked with outside agencies involved with Heathrow Airport expansion and the River Thames Relief scheme.
"I have several years of experience on LGA boards and completed the Leadership course in 2019 before becoming the Regional Peer for the South East in 2022."
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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”.
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."
Cllr Sue Baxter, West Midlands and North West Region
"I was first elected as a councillor in 2003 and have been leader of the independent group within the council for most of that time. I have been a member of most Committees with Planning and Overview and Scrutiny being my main areas of interest. Following the election in May 2023 and the formation of a coalition administration I have taken up the roles of deputy leader and portfolio holder for Economic development and regeneration. For me, every day is a school day and being a member peer gives me the opportunity to learn from and to share knowledge and experience helping to deliver best practice throughout the local government sector."
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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."
