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

A certain view of local government

By Jonathan Werran | 23 September 2026

Jonathan Werran looks at how local government could gain inspiration from General Charles de Gaulle as it starts to construct the strongest case for its surv...

MJ AWARDS

Getting ahead of council reform in Nottinghamshire

By Ann McGauran | 22 September 2026

Nottinghamshire’s councils are developing a framework covering safe, legal, transformational and operational changes, ready to support reorganisation if it r...

MJ AWARDS

Planning for the worst

By Martin Ford | 22 September 2026

As the UK faces a myriad of large-scale threats that only grows longer with each passing year, how well equipped is local government to cope? Martin Ford rep...

MJ AWARDS

MJ Regeneration: A Budget to build from

By David Blackman | 17 September 2026

Chancellor John Healey’s commitment to regional economic growth predates the Burnham Government by about 30 years, says David Blackman. His Budget will need ...

Martin Ford

Popular articles by Martin Ford

-->