People living in demolition-threatened flats say they are worrying about rehoming options.
Read moreMilton Keynes Council
Election results for 2019
- Elected in 2019
- Total
- +/-
- 6
- 23
- +2
- Elected in 2019
- Total
- +/-
- 8
- 19
- -5
- Elected in 2019
- Total
- +/-
- 5
- 15
- +3
About this council
| Type | Unitary Authority |
|---|---|
| Seats up for election | 19 out of 57 |
| Boundary change | No |
Most Recent
By Ben Schofield & Craig Lewis
BBC Look East
Video content
Video caption: Covid: Milton Keynes funeral official separates mother and sons The sons, who were consoling their grieving mother, were told to move away due to social distancing.
Social distancing road closure removed after four days
After just four days in operation,Milton Keynes Council has scrapped a scheme to close Newport Pagnell High Street to traffic.
The road was originally closed because they feared pedestrians would not be able to maintain social distancing unless they had more space.
More shops reopened on Monday, and the road closure was put in place amid fears customers would return in droves, but that has not materialised.
Copyright: Jane CarrLiberal Democrat Jane Carr, who represents the Newport Pagnell South Ward, said on Facebook that she had been feeding back residents' and traders' comments to the council.
"They believe that with the current level of trade, it is not necessary for the High Street to remain closed at this time to ensure social distancing," Ms Carr said.
Dipping into council reserves 'might not be prudent'
Local Democracy Reporting Service
A council has no plans to dip into its £21m reserve pot to prop up small businesses in Milton Keynes, a meeting has heard.
Milton Keynes Council has said it intends to lobby the government to top up £1.97m it has been given to help struggling small firms that have so far fallen between the cracks of coronavirus financial help schemes.
Councillor Rob Middleton, who is in charge of the finances, told the cabinet’s first virtual meeting that the council faced a shortfall of between £27m and £55m in its £200m budget at the end of four years.
“Digging into our reserves might not be a prudent move,” he said.
Copyright: Steven Haslington/GeographMilton Keynes key workers could be given freedom of borough
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Copyright: Getty ImagesKey workers in Milton Keynes could be given the freedom of the borough to honour their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.
Conservatives, including both of the town's MPs and the council's Tory leader Alex Walker called on the local authority to consider bestowing the honour and think it could be granted to hospital workers first, and then to other groups like social workers, postal staff and supermarket employees.
Milton Keynes South MP, Iain Stewart, said so may people "have done an incredible job to help us cope with this challenge" and Milton Keynes North MP, Ben Everitt, added they were "all heroes".
Mr Walker said: "We should never forget the sacrifices that have been made, which is why we are calling on MK Council to confer onto our key workers the highest civic honour a borough can provide as a constant reminder of the immense work, dedication and courage shown."
It looks like the move could get support as Douglas McCall, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: "We support recognising the key workers, who have gone above and beyond to help our city in such unprecedented times."
