Milton Keynes council news
Milton Keynes council news, newest first: decisions, budgets, council tax, bins and services, each linked to the council's own papers.
Top story
MK Council Tenants' EV Charger Ban: Council Votes to Rethink
Full Council has asked the Executive to consider a new EV charger policy for council tenants within nine months, replacing today's blanket refusal.
More stories
Culture
Milton Keynes Makes City of Culture 2029 Shortlist of Four
Milton Keynes is in the final four for UK City of Culture 2029 with Blackpool, Sheffield and Wrexham: £125,000 now, £10m to the winner in early 2027.
Bins
MK Bins Contract: SUEZ Set to Keep It Until 2033
Officers want SUEZ to keep MK's bins, street cleaning and grass cutting to 2033, and to drop the promised 'big sack' collection for a bulky waste rethink.
Flooding
Woughton and Lavendon Flood Schemes Slip Into 2027
Flood defences for 138 homes in Woughton's estates and Lavendon will not start this year. Building is now forecast for 2027 to 2028, with drop-ins this autumn.
Council
MK Council Ombudsman Complaints: 36 of 39 Upheld
The Ombudsman upheld 36 of 39 complaints it investigated against MK Council last year, 15 about SEND, and says late remedies are a problem for the fifth year running.
Council
Bletchley Parking Trial Cut as MK Council Rewrites Motions
A six-month parking crackdown for Bletchley was cut from a motion before MK Council passed it. Three other opposition motions were rewritten the same way.
Council
Milton Keynes Taxi Fees Frozen After Six Years of Rises
Taxi licence fees will not rise in April 2027 after three years of surplus, council officers say. Pub, scrap metal and gambling fees still go up 2.9%.
Olney
Olney's £375,000 Play Park Opens With a Giant Hare
Phase one at Johnson's Field is open, with a hare sculpture nodding to Cowper's pets. A zipline and trim trail for older children follow by spring 2027.
Transport
Milton Keynes E-Scooter Trial: MP Survey Opens for MK North
Chris Curtis MP has opened a survey on the MK e-scooter trial for Milton Keynes North residents, before a summit with Lime, Dott, the council and police.
Council
MK Heat Network: Civic and Library Contract Approved
The council has approved a contract to prepare the Civic, Central Library and Woughton Leisure Centre for a waste-heat network. No cost or date published.
Housing
Milton Keynes Council Housing: 7-Year Wait for a 5-Bed Home
Families needing a five-bed council home in Milton Keynes wait 7 years 9 months, and there are no six-bed homes. The council plans to spend £2.5m buying some.
Council
Milton Keynes Council Tax: Budget Plan Assumes 4.99% Rise
The council's new four-year plan assumes council tax rises 4.99% next April and again in 2028. It also admits £300,000 of green bin income never arrived.
Planning
Milton Keynes Planning: Call-Ins Scrapped From 31 October
From 31 October no ward councillor, parish council or resident can send a Milton Keynes planning application to committee. Officers must decide the small ones.
Council
Great Linford's Listed Courtyard Put Up for Sale
The council will sell the Courtyard buildings at Great Linford Park after the Parks Trust turned them down. Essential repairs alone are put at £1.5m.
Council
MK to Sell Up to 250 Council Garages, 57% Now Empty
Over half of Milton Keynes' 2,090 council garages are empty. The council will sell up to 250 to neighbours, clear others for parking and freeze rent at £16.40.
Council
Milton Keynes Parking Surplus Hit £12.8m: Where It Went
On-street parking earned Milton Keynes £12.797m more than it cost to run in 2025/26. Buses took £5.3m of it, highways £4.9m, and the figures are out this week.
Planning
MK City Plan 2050: hearings open 15 September
Two planning inspectors will examine the MK City Plan 2050 from 15 September at Margaret Powell House. Anyone can watch, and statements are due 28 August.
Culture
Milton Keynes City of Culture bid: shortlist due in autumn
Milton Keynes unveiled its official UK City of Culture 2029 bid on 10 August, deadline day. The shortlist comes this autumn and the winner by early 2027.