This therefore had the effect of restoring the city council to the powers it had held when Southampton was a county borough prior to 1974.

[13][14] Southampton remains part of the ceremonial county of Hampshire for the purposes of lieutenancy.

[16] The city council also continues to appoint a sheriff, although the role has lost its judicial functions.

[17] Southampton is one of only fifteen towns and cities across England and Wales which retain the right to appoint their own sheriff.

In its capacity as a district council it is a billing authority collecting Council Tax and business rates, it processes local planning applications, it is responsible for housing, waste collection and environmental health.

In its capacity as a county council it is a local education authority, responsible for social services, libraries and waste disposal.

[23] These services were set up and the Southampton "Local Authority Trading Company" (LATCo) was created.

[26][27] Southampton had sent a representative to the South East England Regional Assembly during its existence between 1998 and 2010.

Created by the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998 and based in Guildford, the voluntary assembly met six times a year and was responsible for the South East England Development Agency, a project which oversaw investment projects in the south east region.

Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is chaired by several businesses, universities and councils including Southampton City Council and primarily focuses on economic growth in the Hampshire region.

Political control of the council since the 1974 reforms has been as follows:[39][40] Lower-tier non-metropolitan district Unitary authority The role of Lord Mayor is largely ceremonial in Southampton, with a different councillor usually being appointed to the role each year.