More diverse monuments plan for Southampton

A mural dedicated to Southampton band the Ebony Rockers was unveiled in 2022

Future monuments will be more diverse in an attempt to make Southampton better reflect its population.

The city council is expected to sign off on a new policy that requires diversity to be considered when new monuments are being planned.

The move is described as "crucially important" to help represent the city's communities.

The proposals were supported by 84% of respondents to a consultation held in October.

A pre-cabinet report has revealed details of why the council deems the changes to be necessary. 

It states: "There is a geographical, historical, social and cultural imbalance, whilst also reflecting the norms of the time.

"It is important to acknowledge therefore that in our public landscape today, many of Southampton's diverse stories are invisible to residents and visitors, and the complexity of those stories is largely under-appreciated and understood.

"This is crucially important in a city that seeks to ensure that it is reflective and representative of its communities."

There are more than 250 memorials, be it monuments or plaques in Southampton, including the grade one listed Cenotaph in Watts Park, which was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

There are 250 memorials in Southampton, including the statue of Lord Palmerston

The council has said of the new policy: "There will be a requirement that all prospective proposals give due consideration to equity, inclusion and diversity.

"This includes socio-economic background, disability, ethnicity, age, sexuality, gender and religion.

"This may be through the memorial itself or wider interpretation and production of associated materials and supporting information."

Other changes in the new draft memorial strategy include a 10-year post-death wait before memorial erection and a more refined application system.

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