London Borough of Islington win prestigious title

Thirty-one teams took part in the 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. In ‘On the Spot’ each team asked itself a question and then answered it without notes in as close to two minutes as possible; and in ‘Pride of Place’ each had two minutes to tell the audience about one thing for which its local authority area is distinguished.

A well-written and spirited paper calling for Britain to embrace change, and two mini-presentations – one on LGBT+ rights and one on whether its is possible to be a feminist fashion consumer – delivered with great poise and polish, won the title Young Local Authority of the Year 2024 for London Borough of Islington. Team members Eloise Hall and Cal Musyck were awarded the title in Lancaster.

North West Leicestershire District Council (Charlotte Smith and Tom Stanyard) were runners-up, with an evocative paper on whether electric vehicles are as virtuous as we are led to believe. Northumberland County Council (Tim Bryce and Andrew Dawson) were highly commended for a humane and thoughtful paper on drug consumption rooms. Surrey County Council (Hannah Dirks and James Glover) and a joint entry team from South Hams District Council & West Devon Borough Council (Rachel Brockington and Olivia Burgess) were commended for papers on cultural exchange programmes in schools and regulation of the internet, respectively.

A special award for Best Pride of Place was received by Cornwall Council Team A (Benedek Dalglish and Hannah Govier) for a stylish and dynamic performance which painted a picture of Cornwall where mischievous spirits, giant killers and 200-year-old saints still roam the land, stopping only to nibble on the crusts of pasties, left by Cornish miners.

Cherwell District Council (Imogen Hopkin and Curtis Leung) won a special award for Best On The Spot. the team asked: What is the worst influence on children and families today? They unexpectedly and methodically took us through the damaging impact that the Monopoly board game can have. The team had great chemistry, engagement and immaculate comedic timing.

The adjudicators, Islay McLeod and Mairi Clare Rodgers, thanked all teams for their hard work and dedication to the task at hand.