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

Finding a NEET solution

By Tom Stannard | 02 June 2026

The interim report of the Milburn Review revealed the stark reality of youth unemployment. Tom Stannard explains how Manchester is supporting people into emp...

MJ AWARDS

The little button quietly saving UK councils from a thousand complaint emails

28 May 2026

On a Wednesday morning in February, a mother somewhere in the north of England sat down to apply for free school meals. She found her council's website. She ...

MJ AWARDS

Looking out for the local

By Paul Marinko | 27 May 2026

Helping the Local Councils Network’s members and officers to manage the disruption of moving to a unitary is the biggest challenge ahead, says Jonathan Steph...

MJ AWARDS

Fair Funding: Have rural councils in England really lost out?

By Gabriel Stewart | 26 May 2026

When it comes to spending power, urban councils will soar ahead of rural councils by 2028-29, according to LGA figures. But exclusive Institute for Fiscal St...

Martin Ford

Popular articles by Martin Ford