Southampton City Council equality objectives
In July 2025, we published the new Southampton City Plan for 2025-2035. This is a partnership strategy that sets out five key missions to build a more equal, healthier, safer, greener, and growing city. Alongside other organisations, we will be a key partner in delivering this vision by 2035.
To clearly demonstrate our commitment to the City Plan missions, we published our new Corporate Plan that sets out the key objectives, activities, and initiatives we will deliver.
Our key equality objectives
As part of our contribution to a more equal Southampton, the Corporate Plan sets out three key equality objectives for our organisation:
A more equal city
Make Southampton a more equal city by working with partners to deliver our Southampton 2035 City Plan. This will create a:
- More Equal Southampton
- Healthier Southampton
- Safer Southampton
- Greener Southampton
- Growing Southampton
Better evidence, better decisions
To embed a ‘better evidence, better decisions’ approach to ensure services reflect the needs of the diverse communities and reduce inequalities.
A safe, supportive, and inclusive workplace
To build a safe, supportive and inclusive workplace with a workforce which recognises and reflects the diverse community we serve.
Our ambitions
The ambition to build a more equal Southampton is at the heart of both the City and Corporate Plans. It is embedded across all missions. By focussing on a work programme centred around our three equality objectives, we want to see:
Health inequalities reduced
We want to reduce health inequalities. We will reduce these by ensuring everyone can access the support they need to live healthy, active, and independent lives. This applies to all, regardless of background, identity, or circumstance.
Safety, respect, and protection
All communities in Southampton should feel safe, respected. and protected, especially those most at risk of harm or discrimination.
Climate change risks managed
We aim to reduce the impact of climate change on our community and recognise environmental inequalities. We will do this by targeting improvements in areas most affected by poor air quality and climate related risks.
Inclusive growth
We want inclusive economic growth that supports all residents, particularly those from disadvantaged and underrepresented groups. This is to ensure that they can access the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.
Progress reports
We plan to monitor and track our progress against these objectives and outcomes. We will publish annual progress reports in line with our public sector equality duties under the Equality Act 2010.
View the Equality Progress Report 2025.
