Southampton City Council Press Releases

New Leisure Partnership Aims to Get Southampton More Active!

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

This weekend marks the start of a campaign to persuade Southampton residents to become more active! A huge range of free sport and exercise activities will be on offer across the city to celebrate the launch of a new partnership between Southampton City Council and charity, Active Nation. The FREE 'Discovery Weekend' is running on 4th / 5th September, offering residents a chance to try a wide range of exciting taster activities. These range from bowling, swimming, yoga, gym sessions, divin... (read the full story)

GCSE results soar in Southampton

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Pupils are celebrating across Southampton today as this year's GCSE results were announced - and it's been a record-breaking year for many schools in the city. Following on from this year's Key Stage 2 results - which saw the biggest improvement in pupils achieving the expected level (Level 4) in both English and maths in five years - the figure for pupils achieving the government's benchmark of five A* to C GCSE grades including English and maths has risen by 4.1 per cent overall. Redbri... (read the full story)

Southampton City Council welcomes plans for a new energy plant

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Plans for a new biomass fuelled power generation plant in the city have moved forward. Helius Energy and Associated British Ports have agreed terms on an option to lease a 20 acre site within the operational area of the Port, adjacent to Millbrook Railfreight Terminal and Millbook (Hants) railway station. A new biomass plant, powered from wood products from environmentally sustainable sources, could power thousands of homes in the city and beyond. The planned investment, of between £25... (read the full story)

Have your say on the future of our coastline

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Southampton residents are to be asked what they think about a plan to protect the city from coastal flooding and erosion. The plan looks at how the coast line along the east bank of the Itchen and Weston Shore should be managed during the next 100 years. People living on the coast between Woodmill Lane on the River Itchen and Warsash on the River Hamble, are going to be consulted a draft plan called the River Itchen, Weston Shore, Netley and Hamble Coastal Defence Strategy (CDS). The co... (read the full story)

Southampton City Council cracks down on landlords flouting safety rules

Fri, 6 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

To encourage and reward landlords who licence their properties in a timely manner and to penalise landlords who don't, Southampton City Council has brought in a new licence fee structure. Landlords licensing a property they have recently obtained, and those applying for a licence renewal, could pay as little as £75. However, landlords who don't follow the rules will end up paying a much higher fee of £1,200. Councillor Peter Baillie Cabinet Member for Housing, said: "Most landlords are resp... (read the full story)

Sea City Museum gets the green light

Thu, 5 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Southampton`s Sea City Museum was given the final go-ahead from the council`s cabinet this week With all approvals now in place, the construction of the building will begin within two months. The new £15m museum will be situated in the Grade II* listed Magistrates' Courts, which adjoin the Civic Centre. The museum will be a central piece of Southampton`s new Cultural Quarter. The final approval comes just days after the council received a funding offer of £7.2m from the Arts Council Eng... (read the full story)

Southampton's improving primary schools are closing the gap

Tue, 3 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Primary school pupils across Southampton and their teachers are celebrating today after the provisional Key Stage 2 (KS2) test results were published, with Southampton primary schools showing a significant improvement over last year. The percentage of pupils achieving the expected level (Level 4) in both English and maths at KS2 rose 6 percentage points to 70% - the biggest improvement against this measure seen in Southampton since its introduction two years ago, the largest leap in five year... (read the full story)

New council homes for the city on the way

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The development of 53 new Council homes in Southampton is now underway. The first four high quality three bedroom houses are being built at Flamborough Close in Millbrook and are now under construction. Councillor Peter Baillie, the new Cabinet Member for Housing, said: "Southampton City Council is investing to improve the quality of residents' lives. This exciting programme to create 53 new council homes in the city is a result of our hard work and the financial support of the Homes and... (read the full story)

People with learning disabilities take power to change their lives

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

A group which is striving to make Southampton more accessible for people with learning disabilities is set to hold an open day this weekend. Southampton's Learning Disability Partnership Board looks at all aspects of life in Southampton to see how local services and communities can become more inclusive for people with learning difficulties. It also aims to empower people with learning disabilities to be able to make informed decisions to improve the quality of their lives. Matthew is the... (read the full story)

The annual Over Fifties Festival returns to Southampton

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The count down has begun as the Over Fifties Festival returns to offer residents of Southampton the chance to get active and try something new this summer. The popular festival organised by members of the Festival Committee and supported by Southampton City Council, Age Concern and the Seniors Council promises to squeeze in even more events this year. The annual festival has been running for over twenty years will begin on August 8 - 27. Councillor John Hannides, Cabinet Member for Leisure... (read the full story)