Title

MJ AWARDS

Plymouth named local authority of the year at MJ Achievement Awards

The council took home the top gong at glittering ceremony.

Plymouth City Council pipped fellow contenders to be named Local Authority of the Year at The MJ Achievement Awards this afternoon.

They were among the winners announced at a glittering ceremony at the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane in London.

The judges described Plymouth as ‘a local authority that has put culture-led regeneration at its heart' that was ‘determined to put its city on the map for all the right reasons'.

This year saw hundreds of entries across 17 categories covering everything from social care to digital, and public health to transformation.

Broadcaster and former shadow chancellor Ed Balls was on hand to host the gala dinner attended by more than 800 guests.

Editor of The MJ, Heather Jameson, said: ‘Once again these awards have showcased the hugely important role our local authorities play in their communities and why we need them more than ever in these uncertain times.

‘Our judges had a tough time picking out the winners in each category with the competition particularly strong this year.

‘Congratulations to Plymouth and all this year's winners.'

MJ AWARDS

Turning housing ambition into local government delivery

By Victoria Searle | 02 September 2026

Andy Burnham’s pledges to end rough sleeping and usher in the biggest post-war council housebuilding programme in England places major responsibility on loca...

MJ AWARDS

A one in a million jobs model

By Matthew Gordon | 01 September 2026

Matthew Gordon looks at how local government can use procurement to turn social value commitments into measurable local jobs and outcomes for care-experience...

MJ AWARDS

Luton and Milton Keynes push for strategic mayoral authority

By Martin Ford | 28 August 2026

Two councils are pressing the Government to form a mayoral strategic authority covering Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes.

MJ AWARDS

Another multi-million pound loss for Cambridgeshire CC-owned company

By Neil Merrick | 28 August 2026

A council-owned development company that borrowed £120m from its parent local authority has posted another multi-million pound loss.

Martin Ford

Popular articles by Martin Ford