The Milton Keynes Community Foundation has launched a new look grant programme in its support of local organisations.

The non-profit organisation launched its new range of grant programmes that it said have been designed to better support the city’s voluntary, community, and cultural sector (VCCS).

Changes being implemented by the foundation come directly in response to community feedback gathered through independent research carried out by The Open University in 2023 and a series of workshops in 2024–25.

The research into the changes engaged more than 140 local organisations, from small community groups and charities to cultural organisations and social enterprises, to understand the challenges they face and how the MK Community Foundation could strengthen the ways they support the organisations.

Key issues raised by local groups included the need to simplify applications for smaller grants, provide faster, more transparent decision-making, arrange multi-year and core funding to give organisations stability, and clearer communication about grant options.

In response, the foundation announced that they are launching four new programmes:

• Seed Grants – micro grants up to £750 with a simple, rapid process
• Sapling Grants – grants up to £5,000 with monthly deadlines
• Oak Grants – larger community grants up to £15,000, available quarterly
• Strategic Partnership Grants – over £15,000, offering multi-year and core funding, aligned with MK Community Foundation’s strategic goals and Vital Signs report

Sapling and Oak Grants can also sit within the Cost-of-Living programme, which offers extra flexibility and helps groups respond to emerging needs.

In a statement, Ian Revell, Chief Executive of MK Community Foundation, said, “We are proud that these programmes have been shaped by the people they are here to serve. The Open University research gave us a clear picture of the pressures our local voluntary sector is under, from rising demand to the need for sustainable, long-term funding. By listening carefully and responding, we’ve built a grant structure that is timelier, simpler, fairer and more flexible. It means we can back the vital work of our local groups in a way that really fits their needs.”

The new programmes launched last week, alongside an updated application portal on the MK Community Foundation’s website that will make the application process easier, quicker, and more transparent.

Milton Keynes-based company Waterline Limited has called in administrators to process a liquidation.

The company, based in a distribution head office at Newport Pagnell with subsidiary depots in Bolton and Bristol, was a wholesale independent firm supplying kitchen and bathroom parts, but has called in administrators as of October 9th, in a move that has seen 105 people made redundant and a further 15 retained to wind down the business.

Leonard Curtis confirmed that they have been appointed as administrators to manage the company’s winding down, with Axia VS acting as agents and Crowell & Moring as solicitors in the process.

Waterline Limited was initially incorporated on 3 February 1947 and was one of the largest UK independent wholesale distributors within the kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms sector. The company had traded successfully, experiencing exceptional growth between 2021 and 2022, but went into decline in recent years due to a number of factors.

Pressures included the lifting of the national covid restrictions, increase in interest rates and the cost-of-living crisis which caused a significant reduction in consumer spending. As a consequence, the company had to rely on funding support from its shareholders which from 2025 became no longer viable.  

Waterline’s board of directors had attempted to market and sell the business, only for the sale fell through and with the lack of long-term funding available, the decision was made to approach Leonard Curtis to consider the company’s financial position.

An accelerated mergers & acquisitions (AMA) process started in September, but despite some expressions of interest being received in certain assets of the company – mainly stock and intellectual property rights – there was no appetite for purchasing the business as a going concern.

This led to Alex Cadwallader and Dane O’Hara being appointed in the high court on 9 October 2025 as Joint Administrators. Leonard Curtis’ multidisciplinary teams, including its performance advisory specialists, prepared a wind down plan to benefit the company as whole and assist the Retention of Title suppliers in collecting their stock whilst realising the value in the other assets. The Administrators are not in a position to fulfil nor take any orders.

Administrator Alex Cadwallader commented in a statement, “We are disappointed that a sale did not take place, despite reaching out to both industry and non-industry specific parties as part of our regulated process.

“A key driver for the board of Waterline was the safeguarding of jobs for employees with the aim of a going concern sale. However despite their best efforts, the external factors pressures in the economy and the sector specifically meant a buyer could not be found.

“Unfortunately, 105 redundancies have taken place, with 15 staff members working to support the wind down of the business.”

Industry association KBSA (Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association Ltd) voiced their disappointment in a statement on social media. They said, “A big blow to our industry.

“The news that Waterline has ceased trading brings real sadness across the KBB sector. While many were aware of the challenges faced in recent times, it is still deeply disappointing to see such a long-established name leave the industry.

“Our thoughts are with all the staff, suppliers, and customers affected during this difficult period.

“At The KBSA, we are here to help support our members and the wider industry wherever we can. If you have been impacted or need guidance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.”

Brackley Town will be in the First Round proper of the FA Cup after a 6-2 replay win over Woking in the Fourth Qualifying Round.

The Northamptonshire club will host Notts County in Round One, with the tie taking place at St James Park on the weekend around Saturday 1 November. A specific date and kick-off time, ticket information and details of any TV coverage will be announced in due course.

The Saints had been taking to a replay by their fellow National League side Woking in a 1-1 draw in Surrey last Saturday (11/10).

Woking had taken an early lead in the replay when former Charlton and MK Dons midfielder Jake Forster-Caskey gave them a second minute lead.

However, Matt Lowe scored a quickfire equaliser to put the home side back on level terms in the 9th minute, before an 18th minute Daniel Waldron goal completed a turnaround to put Brackley ahead.

Josh Osude then received a straight red card, but in first half stoppage time, Woking equalised when Forster-Caskey grabbed his second goal of the night.

After the break, Brackley were initially unable to make their man advantage count, but they broke through just after the hour mark. With 64 minutes on the clock, Lowe made it 3-2, before Waldron grabbed his second and Brackley’s fourth just 3 minutes later.

Scott Pollock and Kyle Morrison then sealed victory for the Saints when they grabbed the goals to complete the scoring in the latter stages of the contest.

The result was a big scoring evening for the Saints, as a team who have scored just 10 goals in league matches during the first stages of their first ever National League season managed to grab six goals in one evening.

Victory means Brackley have reached the FA Cup First Round for the seventh time in the club’s history, with the Saints’ best run seeing them reach the Second Round on four previous occasions, including last season.

Their First Round opponents Notts County currently sit in 13th position in the League Two table, albeit just three points off the play-offs. The Magpies are one time winners of the FA Cup, lifting the trophy in 1894.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a burglary in Olney today (15/10) in which a building was damaged in attempts to steal a cash machine.

At approximately 2.45am, offenders used a green telehandler to force entry into the Nationwide on High Street in Olney on the outskirts of Milton Keynes.

The offenders attempted to steal the ATM but failed to do so, however, they caused significant damage to the building in the process.

Thames Valley Police have said that they do not have descriptions of the offenders at this stage.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Samantha La Jeune said, “We’re appealing to anyone who may have information, CCTV, or dash-cam footage relating to this burglary to please contact us.

“Several vehicles drove past the bank while the burglary was happening, including lorries and milkmen, so please review your dash-cam footage in case it has captured anything that may help us.

“Our investigation is ongoing and we’ve increased patrols in the area and our neighbourhood teams are actively engaging with residents to listen to concerns and help ensure people feel safe so please speak to a uniformed officer if you have any concerns.”

Report information to us by calling 101 or by making an online report via our website, quoting reference 43250525929.