Shaping your community
We’re always striving to make our city even better. We want to help create new opportunities for the community and to support your ambitions for your local area. There are many ways that you can get involved.
Neighbourhood planningConsultationsPlanning AidThe Local Plan (Portsmouth)Planning contacts at Portsmouth City CouncilVolunteering in PortsmouthHolding Public OfficeNeighbourhood planning forumsBecoming a Foster Carer
Neighbourhood Planning
You can have a say in how your local area and the city develops. You can comment on planning application and the City’s local plans.
The Portsmouth City Council Planning Portal allows you to search planning applications and view planning documents and details as well as submit comments by way of objection or support. You can access the Planning Portal here: https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/development-and-planning/planning-applications/planning-applications-view-and-comment-online/
If you need bespoke help or have an enquiry for the Planning Department at Portsmouth City Council, you can email them here: [email protected]
Consultations
You can take part in official Portsmouth consultations run by Portsmouth City Council and make your views known by using the official ‘Your City, Your Say’ survey hub
Planning Aid
Everyone should have the opportunity to get involved in planning their local area and provide people with the knowledge and tools to achieve this. Planning Aid England offers planning advice and support to individuals and communities. You can find out more by clicking here.
The Local Plan (Portsmouth)
All local authorities must produce a Local plan to inform framework and policy to guide future development and aspirations for the city.
You can find out more about this statutory work by visiting the Local Plan website.
Planning Contacts at Portsmouth City Council
The Planning Department at Portsmouth City can be reached using the following contact details:
Tel: 023 9283 4334
Email [email protected]
Alternatively, you can contact Ian Maguire, Assistant Director of Planning
Tel: 023 9283 4299
Email: [email protected]
Volunteering in Portsmouth
Become a volunteer and make a difference. Portsmouth has a diverse range of volunteering opportunities. Use the links below to explore the options and to register your interest:
https://volunteer.hiveportsmouth.com
Generic volunteering opportunities
Find out about the latest volunteering opportunities here:
https://getvolunteering.co.uk/places/hampshire/portsmouth/interest/environment/9
AGE UK – Volunteering opportunities in Portsmouth
Volunteer to help AGE UK in the city
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/portsmouth/get-involved/volunteering/
Home-Start Portsmouth
By volunteering just a few hours each week you can transform the lives of young children and their parents in your community.
https://hsportsmouth.org.uk/volunteer/
Neighbourhood planning forums
What is Neighbourhood Planning?
Neighbourhood planning was introduced in 2011 through the Localism Act.
It allows local residents and businesses to have their own planning policies in a neighbourhood plan that reflect their priorities, deliver tangible local benefits and have real weight in planning decisions. Local people can also grant permission for development through ‘neighbourhood development orders’ and ‘community right to build orders’.
Penny has run training events to help local people learn more about setting up their own local planning forum.
We currently have one forum established:
Milton Neighbourhood Plan
The Milton Plan is your chance to shape how our community develops over the next 15 years. From where new homes, shops and businesses are built, to what the new buildings should look like, your opinion matters. If you’d like to be involved in protecting and enhancing our local high street, choosing where new facilities should be located, or protecting our green spaces for generations to enjoy in years to come, this is your chance to get involved.
Holding Public Office
Public Appointments: Appointments are usually for a chair or non-executive director for a board of a public body or for a member of an advisory committee. Apply/find out more here:
https://www.gov.uk/public-appointments
Becoming a School Governor
As a governor, you can:
- help the school or college with its strategy
- hold the headteacher, principal or CEO to account for a school or college’s performance
- make sure the school or college budget is properly managed
Find out more here.
Becoming a Foster Carer
Portsmouth City Council needs more foster carers to provide homes for Portsmouth children from babies through to teenagers. Foster carers do an amazing job in helping children and young people reach their full potential, and you could do it too.
Who can foster?
- Do you have a spare bedroom?
- Are you over 18?
- Do you have child care experience or experience of working with young people?
- Do you have the time and energy to invest in a child or young person?
- Do you live in Portsmouth or the surrounding area?
- Do you have professional, voluntary or personal experience of caring for people with disabilities?
Click here to find out more and to register your interest:
Fostering with Portsmouth City Council
https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/health-and-care/fostering/
Foster Portsmouth Hub