Councillors and MPs

Southampton is a Unitary Council. This means that the Council is responsible for all local services and functions within its area. Such services include social services, education, planning and highways matters amongst others. Southampton has 47 Councillors and operates under a Leader and Cabinet model of executive arrangements.

The Leader and the Cabinet oversee the work of the Council and make most of the major decisions of the Council.

City Councillors

Southampton has 47 Councillors and operates under a Leader and Cabinet model of executive arrangements.

The City is divided into 16 Wards each of which have 3 Councillors
The current political composition in Southampton is:

Conservative 16
Labour 27
Liberal Democrat 2
Labour Councillors Against the Cuts 2
Vacancy 1

Download a map that shows the councillors and their wards below,

Role of Councillors

The role of a Councillor includes

• Member of the Council
• Representing the ward
• Decision-making
• Policy and strategy review and development
• Overview and scrutiny - including Inquiries
• As members of regulatory panels, including Planning and Licensing
• Community leadership and engagement
• Representing the City on over 100 boards, partnerships and outside bodies

Further information about individual Councillors

Please see more information on individual Councillors. political groups or ward by using the following link. In addition by following this link you can find information on Council meetings.

Cabinet Members

The Leader of the Council is elected every year at the annual meeting of the council. The Leader then appoints a Cabinet of between two and nine members. The Leader of the Council and Cabinet are supported by Democratic Services.

At the Extra Ordinary Council Meeting on 25 April 2013, Councillor Jacqui Rayment was appointed Leader of the Council.