Watford Borough Council has been named a finalist in the 2026 APSE Council of the Year Award category – one of the UK’s most prestigious awards celebrating excellence in local government...
APSE is a not-for-profit organisation that celebrates local authorities providing outstanding frontline services and transformative projects.
The judges shortlisted Watford for the Council of the Year Award category, as they were impressed by the council’s close working relationship with the county and its ambitous work.
Major projects like the transformation of the historic Town Hall into a modern civic and cultural hub and the Riverwell development, which is revitalising a 70-acre derelict site, are setting a benchmark in regeneration. The town’s ability to attract investment, seen in the revitalisation of Harlequin, plans for Watford Junction, and the redevelopment of Watford Business Park, ensures it remains a thriving business destination.
Watford is also leading on sustainability, with initiatives such as the Green Loop and the decade-long restoration of the River Colne creating new green spaces and enhancing biodiversity. The town’s award-winning parks, including Cassiobury Park and Oxhey Activity Park, continue to provide outstanding recreational opportunities, while schemes like the Healthy Homes programme are improving housing and health outcomes for the most vulnerable in the community.
The nominations include:
- Best Building and Housing Initiative – Transforming Watford: A decade of success in urban regeneration through public-private collaboration at Riverwell
- Best Efficiency and Transformation Initiative – Redefining the art of the possible: Watford Borough Council’s story of continuous evolution in an ever-changing environment
- Best Health and Wellbeing Initiative – Rediscovering the River Colne
- Best Innovation and Demand Initiative – The Green Loop: turning vision into reality
- Best Service Team: Parks, Grounds and Horticultural – Active, Inclusive, Award-Winning: The Watford Parks and Open Spaces Story
- Best Service Team: Parks, Grounds and Horticultural – The transformation of Watford’s parks through the ‘Green Spaces Strategy’
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “Being shortlisted for six awards, the highest number of nominations of any UK local authority in 2026, as well as Council of the Year, is a huge endorsement of Watford.
"They recognise the hard work of our members, staff, partners, and community in delivering real change for the town. From regeneration and sustainability to innovation in how we deliver services, Watford has built a reputation as a town with big ideas that also gets things done.”
This achievement follows a year of significant accolades for the town, with Watford being ranked amongst the UK’s best towns in the Vitality Index 2026, winning Council of the Year at the iESE Public Sector Transformation Awards in 2025 and being shortlisted for Local Authority of the Year at the MJ Awards.
