Councillor Lorna Fielker

Councillor Lorna Fielker is the Strategic Lead for Devolution and Regional Growth and Labour Councillor for Southampton City Council and represents Swaythling Ward.

She was elected in 2018, is the former leader of the Council and has had Cabinet Member responsibility for adult social care, public health, housing and leisure.

As Leader she reset the direction of the council with a new transformation programme focusing the organisation on achieving the savings required to work within the budget envelope, whilst maintaining critical services.  Took a leading role in cross-authority negotiations, to reignite devolution prospects after previous failed attempts which led to the Hampshire and Solent region being named as a priority area for devolution by government.

Skilled in partnership working she led the development of the Southampton Renaissance Vision Masterplan and promoted its investment opportunities at regional, national, and international events to attract strategic partners and drive regeneration alongside the creation of a City Plan in which a vison for the city of Southampton over the next 10 years has been developed and co-owned by the City Council, the universities, hospital, transport and major landowners and employers in the city.

Outside of politics, Cllr Fielker is a Postgraduate Researcher at the University of Southampton investigating the impact of the GDPR on voluntary organisations.

She has a professional background working in local government, social housing and the voluntary sector