Milton Keynes City Council leader Cllr Pete Marland announced he plans to step down as Council Leader after the next election.
Marland made his announcement in a speech after being named as Councillor of the Year at the Labour Housing Awards.
As part of his speech, Marland confirmed he will end a run as Council leader at the next election, with Marland also not standing for re-election in the Wolverton ward he represents when it is next up for election in May 2026.
Cllr Marland said in a statement, “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.”
Marland gave the speech after winning the national award, which MK Labour said 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.
During Marland’s time as MK City Council leader, Milton Keynes has received city status while 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.”
Marland had previously lead MK Labour both when they entered power at Milton Keynes Council in 2014, having lead the council first as a minority administration, then in a full alliance with the Liberal Democrats, and then being elected with an outright majority as largest party at the most recent MK City Council elections in 2024.
Marland’s tenure was praised by Milton Keynes’ 3 Labour MPs.
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, added, “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, also commented, “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.”
Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal road traffic collision in Milton Keynes.
The incident happened last Wednesday (19/11) at around 6.45pm, when there was a collision between a white Seat Ibiza, a black Kia Picanto and a pedestrian on the B526 Northampton Road in Newport Pagnell.
Sadly, the pedestrian, a 78-year-old man from Lathbury, died at the scene.
The man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.
A 67-year-old man from Wootton has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving whilst over the prescribed limit of alcohol. He has been released on police bail.
Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Ed Crofts, from the Roads Policing Unit said, “I am grateful for all the members of public that stopped to assist at the scene of this tragic collision including an off-duty police officer and medic.
“I am looking for any witnesses that saw the white Seat travelling north from Newport Pagnell prior to the collision or the Kia that was travelling south to get in touch.
“If you have any information or footage, please contact us by submitting the footage via this link, https://unitedkingdom1cpp-portal.digital-policing.co.uk/serip/appeal/fatal-road-traffic-collision-lathbury-milton-keynes-1845-hrs-on-wed-19-nov-2025 or by calling 101 quoting reference number 43250591518.
“For those who prefer to remain anonymous, you can share what you know with Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.”
Red Bull took a victory in the Las Vegas Grand Prix through Max Verstappen, in a race that saw his title rivals both disqualified.
Verstappen had crossed the line first to take victory, having taken the lead at the start of the race to win the Saturday night fight in Las Vegas.
Initially, Lando Norris had finished second with Oscar Piastri fourth, in a result that would’ve seen Verstappen sit 42 points behind championship leader Norris with only 58 to play for from the final 2 races and sprint event.
But in a major twist, McLaren saw both Norris and Piastri’s cars disqualified following technical investigations after the race, with both McLaren cars found to have had damage to the under-car skid-blocks that exceeded the FIA limits. The result means that Norris scored 0 points rather than the 18 he would’ve received for his originally achieved second place.
As a result, Verstappen will now enter the final 2 rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi 24 points behind Norris, with 25 available for a win in the two full-length races. The Dutchman is also level on points with Piastri, having been over 100 points behind after Piastri won the Dutch Grand Prix in the first race after the summer break.
Verstappen’s teammate Yuki Tsunoda crossed the line 14th, then was reclassified 12th after the double McLaren disqualification. He is on 28 points and 17th in the standings.
In the Constructor’s Championship, the Milton Keynes-based Red Bull team are on 391 points in third position in the championship. They are 40 points behind second placed Mercedes and 13 clear of fourth place Ferrari.
Verstappen had begun the race second and he would make a move straight away. The Dutchman made a quicker start than pole sitter Norris, with the sequence seeing the McLaren initially retain the lead only to run wide at turn one, allowing Verstappen to take the lead and bring the Mercedes of George Russell with him.
Russell initially applied pressure on Verstappen, but the Red Bull driver duly began to pull away from the Mercedes the longer the stint went on.
Verstappen retained the lead after the pit-stops around halfway into the race, and with Russell struggling with a steering issue, he would lose track position to Norris.
The McLaren was encouraged to try and catch up with Verstappen, but he would ultimately not have the tyre life to do so, allowing Verstappen to take victory in the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Things would then take the further turn when it was announced a few hours after the race that the cars for both Norris and team-mate Piastri had failed technical investigations. The duo were later disqualified by the FIA, changing the balance of the race results and reducing Verstappen’s deficit to Norris in the championship.
As for Tsunoda, the Japanese driver had started from the pits with a new engine, then made an early pit stop during a virtual safety car in the opening stages. But he was unable to make his way up the order, leading to a finish outside the points.
The F1 season continues in its run towards the end of the campaign, with Las Vegas being the first in a triple header to end the 2025 season. The next race is the Qatar Grand Prix, which includes a sprint race, with the main race taking place next weekend.
Police are appealing for witnesses to a single-vehicle road traffic collision on the A421 in Buckinghamshire.
At around 4am on Sunday 16 November, a grey Mercedes CLA 250 was involved in a collision on the A421 roundabout with Nash Road, located between Milton Keynes and Buckingham.
Thames Valley Police confirmed that a 25-year-old man from Witney was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst over the prescribed limit for alcohol. He has been released under investigation.
Investigating officer PC William White said, “I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision or the moments leading up to it.
“I am also appealing to anyone who may have seen this vehicle driving in the area near the time of the incident to please get in touch.
“Anyone with information should call 101 or make an online report, via our website, quoting reference number 43250584980.
“Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via its website.”
Northampton Town were beaten 3-1 at home by a Cardiff City side that moved to the top of the League One table.
Joel Colwill had put the Welshmen in front at Sixfields in the opening minutes, before an eventful sequence saw Ethan Wheatley equalise for the Cobblers and then score an own goal just three minutes later.
Chris Willock’s strike in second half injury time secured victories for the Bluebirds, with the Cobblers losing for the third time in four outings. They are now 17th in the League One table and 4 points above the relegation zone.
The contest at Sixfields was a first league meeting between the Cobblers and the side from the Welsh capital in 22 years, as well as Northampton’s first match after an international weekend enforced break last weekend.
Northampton fell behind within the opening seven minutes. Teenage full-back Ronan Kpakio teed up Colwill, who placed a strike beyond the grasp of home goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons.
Despite falling behind, the hosts were causing Cardiff problems. Tom Eaves saw a strike bounce back off the past, Wheatley had a goal disallowed, Michael Forbes saw a header just creep wide and Nathan Trott in the Bluebirds goal denied Jack Perkins.
The hosts would make the pressure tell just before the hour. Forbes’ pass released Wheatley, who was able to advance, cut inside and drill in a fine strike.
But on the hour mark, the Manchester United loanee’s next contribution would be a more unfortunate one as Wheatley sliced Joel Bagan’s corner into his own net.
Cardiff could’ve made it 3-1 but they had a goal disallowed when Yousef Salech was deemed to have pushing an opponent before finishing.
Trott made saves to deny Wheatley and home sub Elliot List, the latter of whom had been one-on-one, as Cardiff tried to see the job through.
In the third minute of stoppage time, Cardiff would get the job done when Kpakio released Willock, who scored the third for the visitors.
The Cobblers will seek to return to winning ways next time out, when next Saturday they make the long trip south-west to play Plymouth Argyle.
