Milton Keynes leader wins national housing award today and announces retirement
The leader of Milton Keynes City Council was named Councillor of the Year at the Labour Housing Awards and took the opportunity to announce his retirement after 12 years.
The national award highlighted how Milton Keynes City Council has led the way in sustainable development over the past decade, with a reputation of delivering well-planned growth.
Last week, the Labour government announced 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. The city council welcomed the announcement.
After receiving the national housing award on November 25, Councillor Pete Marland said that it was the perfect moment to confirm he would be retiring as leader next May after twelve years. He added that it was time for the next generation of leaders to drive 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 Milton Keynes City Council stated that it 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. He led Labour to their first majority on the council in almost thirty years in May 2024.
Pete 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.”
“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 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.
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.”