The council, at a glance

Portsmouth City Council runs almost every local service. 42 councillors, 3 per ward.

Reorganisation: Decision withdrawn. What this means

Who runs itLiberal Democrat majority (23 of 42 seats; 22 is a majority).

Liberal Democrat 23Reform UK 12Conservative 3Labour 3Independent 1

Leader: Steve Pitt (Liberal Democrat)

Source: ModernGov web service: GetCouncillorsByWard

Checked 23 September 2026

Where £100 goesOf £256.5m net service budgets

Children, families & education£30.33

Adult social care, wellbeing & health£28.98

Central & corporate services£15.27

Transport£11.08

Environmental services (waste, streets)£7.17

Community safety, leisure & sport£4.48

Share of council service spending taken by adult and children's social care. Portsmouth City Council.

Source: Portsmouth City Council budget reports · 2025/26 service budgets

Checked 23 September 2026

Service	Per £100	Budget
Children, families & education	£30.33	£77.8m
Adult social care, wellbeing & health	£28.98	£74.3m
Central & corporate services	£15.27	£39.2m
Transport	£11.08	£28.4m
Environmental services (waste, streets)	£7.17	£18.4m
Community safety, leisure & sport	£4.48	£11.5m
Housing & tackling homelessness	£2.65	£6.8m
Climate change & greening the city	£0.04	£114,900

How decisions are madeResidents elect councillors; officers deliver

Residents

Elect councillors political

Full Council 42 councillors
- Leader and Cabinet
- Scrutiny
- Planning, licensing and other committees

Council workforce officers

Chief ExecutiveHead of Paid Service
- Director of FinanceSection 151
- City SolicitorMonitoring Officer
- Directorates and service teams

Source: Constitution Part 1 Ch 1: Summary and explanation (PDF)