Cornwall Council will find out next week if it has won national awards recognising its pioneering work in both tackling climate change and transforming its libraries. 

The unitary authority is a finalist in the prestigious MJ Local Government Achievement Awards which highlights local authorities’ delivery of services over the last 12 months and allows them to share expertise with peers across the nation. 

Cornwall Council has been shortlisted in two categories - Leadership in Responding to the Climate Emergency and Delivering Better Outcomes. 

The MJ Awards have been held every year since 2004 recognising officers, managers, teams and councils, and is one of the major events in the public sector calendar. 

This year’s winners will be announced on Friday, September 17, at a ceremony in the London Hilton Hotel.

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Martyn Alvey, Cornwall’s cabinet member for environment and climate change, said: "This is the second year we have been shortlisted for an MJ Award in the climate change category and it’s a shining example of how we are gaining national recognition amongst local authorities across the country for our leading work in tackling the climate emergency, working towards net zero emissions, protecting and adapting our environment to benefit our residents.

"Our community engagement on climate change has once again been praised which is key as we cannot fight global warming alone. 

"We know there is much more to be done as we strive to meet our ambitious target of Cornwall becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

"Our success is dependent on strong partnerships.

"I thank everyone who has joined us in taking climate action so far and look forward to working more closely with our residents and businesses to accelerate our response further."

Carol Mould, Cornwall’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: "I want to congratulate our Library and Information Service for achieving this accolade which reflects our innovative work in devolving, protecting and revitalising our libraries by working closely with communities across Cornwall to deliver better library services for residents."