Plymouth is celebrating a proud moment after scooping two prestigious awards last night – recognising the city’s leadership in both environmental innovation and inclusive employment.
The prestigious Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Awards 2025, recognise the best in local government, with judges having to consider over 1,000 submissions from councils across the UK.
At a ceremony last night, the city was honoured in the Environmental Services category for our pioneering Habitat Bank, and in Diversity and Inclusion for our transformative Supported Internships programme.
These awards shine a spotlight on the incredible work being done across Plymouth to build a greener, fairer future – and the dedicated teams making it happen.
Plymouth’s Habitat Bank, delivered through the city’s green finance vehicle Ocean City Nature, will deliver an impressive £7m in investment to restore and enhance habitats across the city. The initiative is creating a local market for Biodiversity Units, helping developers meet planning requirements while delivering real gains for nature and communities with work on the first site at Ham Woods already underway.
Councillor Tom Briars Delve, Plymouth City Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said: “This award is a huge recognition of the bold, creative work happening in Plymouth to tackle the ecological emergency. The Habitat Bank is a brilliant example of how we can use green finance to deliver real, lasting benefits for wildlife and communities. I’m incredibly proud of the team behind this – their passion and innovation are helping to put Plymouth on the map as a leader in nature recovery.”
At the same time, the city’s Supported Internships programme scooped the top award in its category. Run in partnership with Discovery College – the programme has grown from just nine participants to 67 in just two years. The programme supports young people with learning difficulties or disabilities to gain meaningful, sustainable employment through a blend of tailored work placements, coaching and classroom learning. Every single participant has gone on to secure a job – a remarkable achievement that’s changing lives.
Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships, added: “This award is a celebration of the young people who’ve taken part in Supported Internships – and the incredible staff who’ve supported them every step of the way. It shows what’s possible when we believe in people’s potential and invest in inclusive opportunities. This work is vital to building a city where everyone can thrive.”