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

Getting ready for the big LGR reset

By Ann McGauran | 26 February 2026

Anna Earnshaw talks to Ann McGauran about reorganisation’s biggest risk, and what central Government could do to ease the path towards unitarisation.

MJ AWARDS

Connections with clout

By Paul Marinko | 26 February 2026

Ahead of The MJ’s LATCo Conference in Birmingham, Paul Marinko explores why local authority trading companies (LATCos) are fast becoming indispensable to cou...

MJ AWARDS

Local government reorganisation in Essex 'over'

By Paul Marinko | 25 February 2026

Uncertainty surrounds local government reorganisation (LGR) in Essex, with one leader branding the process ‘over’ and little news on how ministers will help ...

MJ AWARDS

A pivotal moment for mayors

By Ann McGauran | 25 February 2026

The recent devolution Bill and the Government’s consultation on visitor levies are seen as positive steps on the road to fiscal devolution, but does it go fa...

Martin Ford

Popular articles by Martin Ford