Who does what

Powers: Portsmouth has two MPs (Portsmouth North and Portsmouth South). MPs deal with matters that are the responsibility of the UK Parliament and government — for example the NHS, benefits and pensions, immigration, and national school funding — scrutinise the government and vote on laws. They can take up constituents’ cases and make representations to the council.

Limits: MPs do not run council services, direct council officers or decide council spending. For council matters Parliament’s own guidance points people to the local council or their councillor.

Contact them for: Hospitals and the NHS; Benefits, pensions and National Insurance; Immigration; School closures and funding; Transport facilities

In Portsmouth:
MP for Portsmouth North: Amanda Martin (Labour)
MP for Portsmouth South: Stephen Morgan (Labour)

Sources: UK Parliament: Who should I contact with my issue? · ModernGov web service: GetMpOrMepsAndWards (bIsMPs=true)

Powers: 42 councillors, three per ward, elected for four years. Together at Full Council they set the budget and main policies and appoint the Leader. The Leader and Cabinet take most executive decisions; other councillors sit on scrutiny panels and regulatory committees (planning, licensing). All councillors handle ward casework and act as advocates for residents.

Limits: Individual councillors do not manage staff or take operational decisions; those are for officers. Complaints made to a councillor are passed to the council’s complaints team.

Contact them for: Council tax, housing, bins and recycling, street repairs and parking, children and families, schools (Parliament guidance list); Local ward issues and casework; Help to raise a complaint or petition

In Portsmouth:
42 councillors, three per ward. Find yours.

Sources: Constitution Part 1 Ch 1: Summary and explanation (PDF) · Constitution Part 1 Ch 2: Members of the Council (PDF)

Powers: Paid staff who give advice, implement decisions and manage day-to-day services. Three statutory officers have legal duties: the Head of Paid Service (Chief Executive), the Chief Finance Officer (s151) and the Monitoring Officer (legality and councillor conduct).

Limits: Officers do not set policy or the budget; they act within powers delegated by councillors and are answerable to the Chief Executive.

Contact them for: Service requests and problems (first contact); Complaints (via the complaints team); FOI requests; Deputation and question registrations (Democratic Services)

In Portsmouth:
Head of Paid Service: Natalie Brahma-Pearl
Chief Finance Officer (Section 151): Chris Ward
Monitoring Officer: Peter Baulf

Sources: Constitution Part 1 Ch 1: Summary and explanation (PDF) · Constitution Part 1 Ch 12: Officers (PDF)

Powers: A strategic authority created through the government’s Devolution Priority Programme, bringing together Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton on regional priorities such as transport, skills, housing and economic growth. Portsmouth’s Leader sits on its Board.

Limits: The HSCCA does not collect bins or run day-to-day council services, and it is not the same thing as local government reorganisation (LGR), which concerns the structure of councils and is under government review after the March 2026 decision was withdrawn on 7 Sep 2026.

Contact them for: Regional transport, skills and growth strategy

In Portsmouth:
Portsmouth's seat: Cllr Steve Pitt. What it controls.

Sources: Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority: About us · GOV.UK: LGR programme review and decisions withdrawal letter to council leaders (7 Sep 2026)