Marianne Overton

Councillor in Lincolnshire

I came into local politics when a number of us got ‘cross’ about a planning issue. We realised that we were not getting much support through our local councillor, who we felt was just as interested in representing his party as he was in representing local people.

I am involved in many organisations in the 11 villages that make up my ward and am elected to serve at parish, district and county levels. I also serve on regional and national committees. This helps me keep in touch with what matters in my area and to help on key issues using lots of tools available. I am a representative on a Primary Care Trust, a governor of the university and vice chairman of ‘RELATE Lincolnshire’. I find working across organisations really helps my skills, knowledge and understanding. I try to share the good things I learn and encourage everyone to work towards the same direction for the good of the people we serve.

Being respected as a councillor is really important and opens doors. It is hard work because I want to do so much. I love being able to use skills and knowledge to make life better for people; helping to get the right support for a widower burning the doors of his council flat for heating; assisting a mother desperate because her son has been expelled from school with a drug problem; setting up voluntary car schemes to help isolated rural people; being part of a team to get the money needed for a new village hall; working to get concessionary fares and neighbourhood policing fully funded in Lincolnshire; finding ways to improve services encourage local businesses and the ‘greening’ of council policies.

The public sector has some big budgets; two of mine each spend over a billion pounds every year. It is important that we have councillors who care, are prepared to speak for their communities, are thoughtful and have integrity – people like you. Go for it!