MK leader wins national housing award and confirms future plans

The Leader of Milton Keynes City Council, Cllr Peter Marland, has been named Councillor of the Year at the Labour Housing Awards.

The national award highlighted how Milton Keynes City Council has led the way in sustainable development over the past decade, with a nationally recognised record of delivering well-planned growth with the infrastructure needed to support it.

Last week, Milton Keynes City Council supported a new local plan and welcomed the Labour government’s announcement that Milton Keynes has been included in the next generation of New Towns, with potential benefits including more affordable homes for local families, a tram system and a new hospital.

After receiving the award Cllr Marland said that it was the perfect moment to confirm he would be retiring as leader next May after twelve years, and it was time for the next generation of leaders to take forward the next chapter in the future of Milton Keynes.

During his time as leader, Milton Keynes has been awarded city status and all statutory council services are now rated good or better. A recent Local Government Association review of the city council stated that MK City Council was “Highly performing and well-run.”

Pete was nominated for World Leader of the Year in 2022 and Council Leader of the Year in 2024. He has also become a prominent and well known figure nationally in local government, and is Chair of the LGA Resources Committee.

Pete led Labour to their first majority on the council in almost thirty years in May 2024.

Cllr Pete Marland, Leader of Milton Keynes City Council said:

“I’m very honoured and pleased that our work in MK delivering much needed homes for local families has been recognised. It’s very pleasing that we are nationally known for the high quality of our growth and what we do here is looked at as the best in class development.”

He continued:

“The reputation of Milton Keynes is strong and continues to grow. We are seen as a beacon of progressive growth and doing things well. Our city has come a long way over the past decade, and I’m pleased that the city is starting to get the recognition deserves.

“I’m proud to lead a council that is recognised nationally as highly performing. All our statutory council services are now at good or better. We have made progress with our next local plan and the city is set to benefit from being one of the next generation of New Towns.

“I’m proud that over the past twelve years we have transformed the council and the reputation of Milton Keynes.

“I think it’s therefore the perfect moment for me to confirm that I will be retiring as council leader next May. I decided before the last set of local elections in May 2024 that I would not seek re-election again, and told the Labour Group and other senior councillors over a year ago.

“I believe it is right that the next chapter of our city, and leadership of the Labour group, should be taken forward by the next generation.

“I have no doubt that with such a good group of councillors, three amazing Labour MPs and a strong track record of Labour delivering for local people, the city’s best days are ahead of us, but I’ll continue to work hard as leader until the end of my term in May.

Chris Curtis MP, MK North said:

“I’m very pleased to see the progressive and well-planned growth of Milton Keynes recognised and congratulate Pete on the award.

“After twelve years as leader, it is impossible to fully convey how much work Pete has done in transforming the way people think about our city, nationally and internationally, and I’m pleased that over the past 18 months since I was elected as an MP we’ve been able to supercharge that work to enhance the city’s reputation even further.”

Emily Darlington MP, MK Central and former Deputy Leader of MK City Council said:

“It is great that the positive work that we do here in Milton Keynes has been recognised with this national award.

“I think it’s fitting that after almost twelve years and some major achievements this is the moment that Pete has confirmed he will be retiring next May. As a former Deputy Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member and now as a local MP I know first hand that during the dark days of Conservative austerity, in Milton Keynes we not only protected services from cuts, we improved them, and under a Labour government we will continue to fight to improve the lives of local residents.”

Callum Anderson MP, Buckingham and Bletchley said:

“Over the past twelve years, Milton Keynes has achieved milestones that many would have thought impossible.

“The city has been truly put on the map as a forward-thinking place to live and work, and his persistence means we’re ready for the next generation of growth, including affordable homes, jobs, better transport, and new infrastructure. I am glad that his years of hard work as leader is being recognised, and we will continue this work to make sure Milton Keynes remains a city of opportunity.”