MK MAYOR

The crocus planting volunteers at MKUH

Moments with The Mayor

Our regular catch-up with Mayor of Milton Keynes, Cllr Mohammed Khan

At the Mayor Making ceremony back in May, I was honoured to be able to represent our fine town. As the months have passed and I have been privileged to meet so many more members of our community, and gain an understanding of the fabulous initiatives and charity ventures running locally, my pride at our brilliant town has only increased.

It’s impossible to mention every event I have been lucky enough to have attended since my last column for this magazine, but I’d like to share just a few of the highlights.

On a fresh October morning I joined with members of the Rotary Club of Milton Keynes (RCMK) in my role as an honorary member to plant crocuses outside the MK University Hospital Cancer Centre in an initiative to mark World Polio Day.

In 2020 the RCMK planted 2000 of the flowers. This year, with the assistance of local scout and cub groups they are set to double that number.

It was wonderful to play a part in the project, and to know that by spring, these bulbs will have blossomed.

Crocuses aren’t the only thing I have planted recently – Community Trees Milton Keynes donated 500 trees to The Parks Trust who then arranged a week of planting at Middleton Wood Meadow.

Tree Planting at Middleton Wood Meadow

The great green event – part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative – was supported by schools across Milton Keynes, and I attended with Lady Howe Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, and the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire to ensure some of the young trees got rooted in.

Back in June, DREAMSAI Milton Keynes and the Milton Keynes Centre for Integrated Living (MKCIL) were announced as recipients of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. They were among 241 charities and voluntary groups nationwide recognised for their outstanding work – the former for helping the homeless and those in temporary accommodation, and the latter for their support of people with disabilities.

At the Milton Keynes Centre for Integrated Living QAVS presentation

Spare a thought for those who will spend the festive season working hard for us; the emergency services keeping us safe, and those working in care homes, in the community and in retail.

In October I attended the presentations to both organisations, and I would like to take the opportunity to once again say ‘congratulations’ to everyone involved for their inspirational work.

While on the subject of awards, we recently welcomed not one, not two, but six recipients of British Empire Medals to the Civic Offices for their official ceremonies, with the awards themselves presented by Lady Howe.

On November 11, there was a poignant service at the MK Rose to mark Armistice Day, and it was wonderful to see such a magnificent turnout, with army and navy cadets joining with the general public and dignitaries to remember all those who have given their lives in the service of our nation.

On Remembrance Sunday, I attended a number of parades; two in Bletchley, one in Stony Stratford and another in New Bradwell. After last year’s very small commemorations because of the pandemic it was fantastic to see so many people in attendance once more.

The weather might be miserable of late, but those who know me will know I am an avid fan of our MK Dons, and no matter how chilly the weather turns, I intend to continue taking a spot in the stands as often as possible to cheer on the team at Stadium MK.

A few weeks ago I was invited to turn on the My Milton Keynes Christmas lights which bathed the town in festive illuminations, but even more marvellous was a chance to meet Father Christmas!

Christmas is a time for togetherness, for families and friends to enjoy some quality time and for indulging in good things.

But please spare a thought for those who will spend the festive season working hard for us; the emergency services keeping us safe, and those working in care homes, in the community and in retail. We all owe them our thanks.

And please remember those who won’t be spending the festive season in their own homes, those who are homeless, or without friends and family. A little bit of kindness can make such a big difference – and it’s just as good to give as it is to receive.

Pop a mince pie across the road to that elderly neighbour, put some loose change in a collection bucket or donate a tin or two to a food bank or an animal charity.

If we all do a little something, we can make a big difference this Christmas and beyond.

Finally, I’d like to wish Pulse’s readers a Merry Christmas, and a very Happy New Year.

Pete Marland Leader of Milton Keynes Council

UK’s largest eco village Milton Keynes is one of the fastest growing cities in the UK and has quickly become a hotbed for quality developments. More and more houses are being built, and Milton Keynes Council is keen to ensure that developers are doing all they can to ensure future estates are as sustainable as possible.

We have recently announced our ambition to build the UK’s largest eco village right here in MK. Eco villages are communities that are built with the intention of being more environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable. There are thousands of eco villages across the world, mainly in rural areas, and there could soon be one to the east of Newport Pagnell.

The Council is looking for a developer to build an eco village at Tickford Fields Farm, consisting of 930 new homes, a primary school, open spaces, sports pitches, play areas, and a wellbeing centre.

We are asking potential developers to focus on building the properties to strict carbon neutral or carbon negative standards, to align with the Council’s work to tackle the climate emergency and make Milton Keynes the greenest city in the world.

Another priority for us is to address the current housing crisis, so up to half of the homes could be classed as ‘genuinely affordable’ – meaning the house price aligns with average salaries, rather than the market value.

Building new communities Another development that is moving forward is South East MK. We want to create thousands of new homes and community spaces on a 200-hectare site near to Tilbrook, Browns Wood, Wavendon, Woburn Sands, Green Sands Ridge, and Bow Brickhill.

In November we approved a planning document that acts as guidance to any potential developers, letting them know how we would like the land to be developed to best benefit the community.

It outlines how we favour a sustainable, environmentally friendly development that could consist of around 3,000 new homes, schools, community facilities and other infrastructure.

The Council is committed to delivering highquality infrastructure, housing, and community spaces – and we will work with the community as this scheme moves forward.

Carbon zero Council Just like developers and other businesses, it is important that the Council works to be as green as possible to tackle the climate emergency. In 2019, we launched our Sustainability Action Plan and have since reduced our carbon footprint by around a third. MK Council has been working on carbon reduction schemes such as low energy streetlighting, creating electricity from the city’s waste, and making council properties more energy efficient.

We are looking at even more projects such as electric buses, entirely carbon neutral homes, and solar farms to reduce our carbon footprint even further – meaning the Council is on track to become carbon zero by 2030.

Helping children in need Tackling child poverty is one of our key priorities, so I am pleased that the Council has been able to support some of our youngest, most vulnerable residents during the school holidays by providing free school meal vouchers and activities.

We have been providing supermarket vouchers for children in receipt of benefitrelated free school meals during the school holidays since December 2020.

And in the week leading up to Christmas, we provided over 9,000 individual play sessions for children, including cookery, climbing, football, and even ninja club. All these sessions included a healthy and nutritious meal. We will continue to help families in need, and provide valuable and practical support throughout 2022.

CONTACT DETAILS: Tel: 01908 252442 | Email: peter.marland@milton-keynes.gov.uk | Facebook: @mklabour ADDRESS: c/o Milton Keynes Council, Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, Milton Keynes MK9 3EJ

Iain Stewart MP for Milton Keynes South

Ihope you have had a lovely Christmas and I want to take this opportunity to wish you a happy New Year. The month of December was a busy but productive month, meeting with many constituents, organisations and businesses. In this monthly piece, I would like to share with you some of the things that I have been doing.

Blue Light Hub – I visited the Blue Light Hub, in Ashland, to have a tour of the now completed facility that is home to teams from the Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, South Central Ambulance Service and Thames Valley Police. This new facility enables the emergency

services to work together efficiently and collectively in response to an emergency, anywhere in Milton Keynes. Whilst having a look around the Blue Light Hub, I met with the different emergency service teams who are stationed at the Blue Light Hub. The common message from the team members I met was that they have found the collaborative approach to responding to emergencies to be extremely positive. It is very encouraging that other areas of the country are looking to emulate the Milton Keynes initiative.

REEP Site – Also, I visited the Milton Keynes REEP Site which is home to work coaches that are helping 18-24 year olds and 50+ year olds get into work with local employers through the Kickstart Scheme. The Kickstart Scheme provides employers with funding to create new jobs for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit. I welcomed the opportunity to hear from the work coaches on the work that they have been doing to help people utilise the vacancies in Milton Keynes. It was great to hear of the positive take up from young people and the success it has brought them to get long term work opportunities.

Niftylift – Niftylift invited me to their facility to meet with the Founder and Chairman, Roger Bowden, and his team. It was fascinating to have a tour of the site where Niftylift manufacture mobile work platforms, also known as cherry pickers. Whilst walking around the facility, I heard of the 500 high-skilled jobs that are employed on site and met some of them. I was delighted to hear that Niftylift manufacture their goods in Milton Keynes and export them all over the world, including the USA and Europe. Plus, Niftylift offer opportunities for local school children to come to the site to learn more about STEM and how to get a career in this industry, as well as providing apprenticeships through MK College. Caroline Haslett Primary School – With it being UK Parliament Week, I was invited to Caroline Haslett Primary School’s assembly to participate in a Question and Answer session. After speaking to the school assembly about the role of a Member of Parliament and about how to become an MP through the election process, I received a range of great questions from different year groups, including what I am doing to tackle climate change and how many hours do I work each day. At the end of the assembly, I was introduced to the Caroline Haslett School Council.

Finally, I would like to congratulate Maya from Bishop Parker Catholic School for being the winner of my Christmas Card Competition. Her beautifully decorated tree surrounded by presents and people has featured on the front of the Christmas cards that I have sent to my family and friends. Thank you to the nearly 400 entrants who participated this year, Milton Keynes has some budding young artists.

As we start 2022, my team and I will be on hand to help you with any issues that you may have so please do get in touch if you require any assistance.

Iain with Niftylift's Chairman and Founder Roger Bowden

Iain visits the Blue Light Hub, in Ashland, to have a tour of the now completed facility that is home to teams from the Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, South Central Ambulance Service and Thames Valley Police.