MJ AWARDS

Knowsley named Local Authority of the Year

Knowsley MBC has been named Local Authority of the Year in The MJ’s coveted annual awards.

Knowsley MBC has been named Local Authority of the Year in The MJ's coveted annual awards.

The northern met won the prized title at a glittering gala celebration attended by more than 1,000 guests and hosted by TV presenter Anita Rani.

The panel of nine judges said Knowsley was ‘visibly making a difference to the area it serves' and were highly impressed by the council's ‘political and officer leadership which has successfully invested to grow its tax base as a platform to investing in services, staff, and community.'

Also celebrating at The MJ Achievement Awards 2024 gala event in London's Westminster Park Plaza Hotel was Breckland Council's Maxine O'Mahoney who was named Chief Executive of the Year.

Judges said: ‘She has led on innovative place leadership that has taken the authority beyond its normal boundaries.'

Corporate Director of the Year went to Manchester City Council's Bernie Enright, while The Rising Star category was won by Liz Atherton of Stockport MBC.

A special award for Outstanding Contribution to Local Government was presented to Rob Whiteman, former chief executive of Barking & Dagenham LBC and more recently of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.

Heather Jameson, editor of The MJ, said: ‘We are delighted to recognise the brilliant work of teams and individuals across local government and thank all those who entered. A big thanks as well goes to our judges and our sponsors.' 

There were winners in 20 categories in this year's awards.

Local Authority of the Year: Knowsley MBC

Chief Executive of the Year: Maxine O'Mahoney, Breckland Council

A Whole Council Approach to Tackling Health Inequalities: Hounslow LBC

Best Council Services Team: Stoke-on-Trent City Council

Best Transport Decarbonisation Project: Hounslow LBC

Care and Health Integration: City of Wolverhampton Council

Community Engagement: Jonathan Henderson, Antrim and Newtownabbey BC

Corporate Director of the Year: Bernie Enright, Manchester City Council

Delivering Better Outcomes: Haringey LBC

Digital Transformation: Dumfries and Galloway Council

Innovation in Building Diversity and Inclusion: Essex CC/ECL

Innovation in Children and Adults' Services: Oxfordshire CC

Innovation in Delivering Sustainability and Social Value: North London Waste Authority

Innovation in Housing: North Tyneside MBC

Innovation in Partnerships: Shropshire Council/River Severn Partnership

Leadership in Responding to the Climate Emergency: Calderdale MBC

Rising Star: Liz Atherton, Stockport MBC

Senior Leadership Team of the Year: Stockport MBC

Transforming Lives: Wirral MBC

Workforce Optimisation: Hackney LBC

MJ AWARDS

A return to form

By Heather Jameson | 17 February 2025

After a tough few years for Birmingham City Council, the recovery is very much underway. Heather Jameson talks to Joanne Roney and John Cotton, two of the fi...

MJ AWARDS

Elected council mayors could be 'discontinued'

By Heather Jameson | 13 February 2025

Senior Whitehall officials are keen to scrap directly-elected council mayors despite a fudged commitment within the devolution White Paper, The MJ understands.

MJ AWARDS

Making a fast track start to the year

By Julie Towers | 13 February 2025

Julie Towers looks at the impact Local Government Reorganisation will have across the sector and what this may mean in the recruitment landscape, both long a...

MJ AWARDS

New chief executive announced for East Lothian

By Martin Ford | 12 February 2025

Laurence Rockey is to be the new chief executive of East Lothian Council.

Michael Burton

Popular articles by Michael Burton