Cumberland Council win the title!

Thirty-two teams took part in the Young Local Authority of the Year 2025 competition in early March. Each team researched, wrote and delivered a six-minute Argument paper on a subject, of their own choice, of current interest or controversy. Each team also took on two other challenges: Pride of Place (POP) and On the Spot (OTS). In POP, each team had two minutes to tell the audience about something for which its local authority area is distinguished. And for OTS, each team asked itself a question and then answered it without notes in as close to two minutes as possible.

A well-written and unique paper calling for humanity to appreciate the delicate balance of nature and the importance of natural life, big or small – delivered with great style and expression - won the title Young Local Authority of the Year 2025 for Cumberland Council. Team members Nancy Holt and Dan Howlieson were awarded the title in Lancaster.

Oxfordshire County Council (Susmita Dave and Samuel Randle) were runners-up, with a lively paper on the potential benefits of introducing a tax on meat. Kent County Council (Manraj Goraya and Gileta Tarvydaite) were highly commended for an intriguing paper on the negative impact of space debris. And City of London Corporation (Luther Acheampong and Katie Lawman) were commended for a thoughtful paper on whether we have lost our ability to care.

A special award for Best POP was received by Oxfordshire County Council (Susmita Dave and Samuel Randle) for a polished and memorable performance on the Oxford English Dictionary and its words of the year.

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council (Dominic Jones and Laure Renault) won a special award for best OTS. The team asked: Why does everyone lie? Their presentation was well-researched, humorous and delivered with style.

The adjudicators, Islay McLeod, Josh Moir and Mairi Clare Rodgers, thanked all teams for their hard work and commitment to the task at hand. It was a thoroughly enjoyable event and we wish all teams the very best for the future!