Vision
Southampton City Council’s vision is to create:
“A city of opportunity where everyone thrives.”
This vision reflects the council’s ambition to make Southampton a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can live fulfilling lives. It aims to foster a city that is inclusive, vibrant, and forward-looking—where residents have strong foundations, pride in their community, and access to opportunities for growth and success.
The council is committed to:
Building a proud, pioneering global destination and maritime city
Investing in infrastructure, skills, and technology
Creating quality jobs and regenerating housing
Promoting diversity, culture, and creativity
Supporting those most in need while enabling ambition and self-development
Values
The council’s values underpin how it works with residents, partners, and staff. These include:
Inclusivity: Embracing the city’s diversity and ensuring everyone feels welcome and valued.
Ambition: Driving change and improvement through bold, forward-thinking leadership.
Collaboration: Working together with communities, businesses, and partners to achieve shared goals.
Accountability: Being transparent, responsible, and responsive in decision-making and service delivery.
Resilience: Facing challenges head-on with determination and adaptability.
Innovation: Embracing new ideas, technologies, and ways of working to improve outcomes.
These values are embedded in the council’s transformation programme, which aims to reshape how services are delivered and how the council engages with its communities.
About Southampton City Council
Southampton City Council is the unitary authority responsible for governing the city of Southampton, located in the ceremonial county of Hampshire, England. As a unitary authority since 1997, the council delivers both district and county-level services, independently of Hampshire County Council.
The council is based at the historic Southampton Civic Centre and has a long-standing tradition of local governance, with records dating back to the 12th century. It oversees a wide range of services including housing, education, social care, planning, transport, waste management, and environmental protection.
Southampton is a diverse and dynamic city, and the council plays a key role in shaping its future through strategic initiatives such as “Our Green City”, which focuses on sustainability and climate action, and “Fairer Southampton”, aimed at reducing inequality and improving quality of life for all residents.
The council is led by a Leader and Cabinet model. It works closely with local communities, businesses, and partner organisations to deliver inclusive growth, support vulnerable residents, and enhance the city’s infrastructure and public services.
Key Contacts
For a confidential discussion about either of these role, please contact the following consultants at our recruitment partner, Tile Hill, who will be happy to answer any questions that are not covered here:
Anita Denton, Senior Consultant
07725 554802
anita.denton@tile-hill.co.uk
Helen Alwell, Senior Consultant
07931 543313
helen.alwell@tile-hill.co.uk