Milton Keynes City Council have announced plans to modernise and expand its city centre library. 

Proposals for the Central Library located in Central Milton Keynes include updates that are being made to the first floor to create a more flexible space.

More public computers will join new, adaptable book storage that can be moved around to accommodate different events, activities and community groups. A dedicated study area opens next month with seating, desk space and charging capacity for up to 40 people alongside access to the local history collection, parish records and resources like Ancestry.com.

The city council has already moved the children’s library to a larger space on the ground floor, making it more accessible to families, and replaced the library’s lift, as well as major upgrades to its roof.  

Since the children’s library move in September, attendance at ‘storytime’ and musical sessions has increased by 50%.

Central Library is one of ten libraries run by the city council with support from local volunteers and welcomes more than 4,000 residents each week.  As well as a massive collection of traditional books, manga and graphic novels, plus free to use computers, the library offers a wide range of free events, activities and regular clubs that help develop key skills and reduce social isolation.  This includes Lego and Duplo club, Conversation Club (for residents developing their English skills), Knit and Natter groups and one-to-one computer help.

The city council will make a formal decision on 25 November to spend £647,000 on the next phase of works on Central Library. Funding comes from a combination of money received from developers, known as Section 106, and government funding specifically allocated to libraries.

Deputy Leader of Milton Keynes City Council, Cllr Lauren Townsend, said, “Our Central Library isn’t just one of the most iconic buildings in the city, it’s a popular location for residents to meet up, attend clubs and groups and to learn. We know that so many people value the resources on offer, including free computer access, which is why we’re looking to expand on that. We’re already seeing the positive impact of recent changes and this next phase of work will enable us to ensure the building continues to be a versatile space for our popular services.”

A man has been jailed for abusing his former partner in Stony Stratford.

Lloyd Cole, 29, of no fixed abode, was jailed for two years and seven months after a hearing at Aylesbury Crown Court on Friday (14/11). Cole has also been given an indefinite restraining order.

At a previous hearing on 22 August this year, Cole pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating, three counts of criminal damage, one count of assault causing actual bodily harm, one count of intentional strangulation and one count of intentional suffocation.

The victim, a woman in her forties, and Cole were in a relationship for around five to six months. Cole quickly became controlling, preventing the victim from socialising, cutting her off from family and friends by restricting her access. Cole moved himself into his victim’s home and refused to leave despite being asked multiple times.

On 13 February this year, Cole picked up the victim’s phone and threw it at the wall damaging it beyond repair before throwing it at the victim and injuring her wrist.

On 7 March, Cole broke the victim’s laptop and snapped her new phone in half. The victim tried to escape through a window in her own home, but she was dragged back inside by Cole. She managed to flee the address and seek help at a nearby pub.

A day later, Cole broke into his victim’s house by smashing a window. He then pulled the victim out of her bed, dragging her by her hair, subjecting her to hours of physical violence, causing her face to swell and a black eye. A neighbour heard the altercation and called the police, who forced entry to the property and caught Cole standing over the victim.

The victim suffered a black eye after being bitten, a large lump under her eye as well as other injuries to her arms, legs and knees.

Cole was arrested at the scene and charged with the offences the following day (9/3).

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Leah Bowyer, said, “The incidents on 8 March not only left the victim fearing for her life but left her with physical and mental scars that she is still recovering from.

“I am so immensely proud of her courage and bravery throughout this investigation which has helped us secure this conviction against Lloyd Cole, who is a violent individual and a danger towards women.

“I hope that the victim can begin to move forward with her life following today’s sentencing.

“If you are a victim of domestic abuse, Thames Valley Police is here to support you.

“I would also like to highlight the importance of Clare’s Law, a scheme designed to allow the police to disclose a person’s history of abusive behaviour to those who may be at risk. You can find more information on our website or by calling 101.” 

Milton Keynes City Council have approved a new policy to cover council tax for households impacted by a terminal illness diagnosis.

The City Council declared that the policy has been taken in order to make life a little easier for residents facing this incredibly difficult time, with the measure building on an existing scheme which helps people on low incomes by providing a reduction.

For residents with a terminal illness, the scheme will cover the full amount of Council Tax from the date of diagnosis.

The official decision taken yesterday (18 November) follows a motion passed earlier this year to support the Marie Curie campaign calling for fairer financial support for people at the end of life. Research by Marie Curie shows that many people spend their final weeks struggling with higher costs and reduced income.

Deputy Leader of Milton Keynes City Council, Cllr Lauren Townsend, said, “When someone receives the sad news about their diagnosis, they should be focused on what matters most and not having to worry about bills. By supporting this campaign, we want to ease the financial pressure on families at the hardest of times. This is a small but important step that can make a huge difference to people’s quality of life. It means people can spend precious time with loved ones and get the care they need without the added stress of financial worries.”

Residents who need support can apply through the city council’s website , full details will be published shortly. The award will start from the date of diagnosis.

Stations in the Luton area have been the latest to have contactless technology rolled out to enable tap-in tap-out travel for train services.

Luton, Leagrave and Harlington stations on the Thameslink route between London St Pancras and Bedford are among 50 stations on routes with train services to London that will have the technology enabled next month.

From 14 December, the service will be enabled at these three stations. Luton Airport Parkway station has previously had this service enabled.

Other routes that will have this enabled from the mid-December starting date include stations on the Chiltern lines from Aylesbury to London, Southern services to Dorking, Reigate and East Grinstead, Greater Anglia routes to Stansted and Southend, and stations on the Great Northern Thameslink line to Stevenage, Letchworth and Baldock.

The project is supported by £18.7 million in government funding, with support from Transport for London, as part of a project to roll out further contactless ticketing on the UK railways network, and the larger Great British Railways project enacted by the national government.

The government’s Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said, “Rail ticketing is far too complicated and long overdue an upgrade to bring it into the 21st century. Through the expansion of tap in tap out technology, and shortly through GBR, we’re doing just that and making buying tickets more convenient, more accessible and more flexible – and ensuring passengers can get the best fares.

“As part of our Plan for Change, we’re delivering straightforward, stress-free train travel across the south-east, supporting passengers and boosting economic growth, jobs and homes.”

Tap-in tap-out ticketing allows passengers to use a bank card or contactless enabled device to enter any train station, instead of manually buying individual or return tickets. The government has already rolled out this technology at 53 additional stations across the south-east, with 5.6 million journeys taken since June 2024, and more stations to follow from 2026.

Alex Williams, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer at Transport for London (TfL), said, “For more than ten years, the popularity of convenient travel via pay as you go with contactless has grown and become increasingly popular across London and the surrounding areas. We are delighted to be extending pay as you go with contactless to a further 50 stations from the 14 December, including Stansted Airport, making it easier for those arriving at the airport to travel to London and experience all the city has to offer.

“Expanding pay as you go with contactless will further help those travelling by rail outside London do so more flexibly and conveniently, avoid the need to pre-purchase tickets or paper Travelcards when heading into the capital, and support the wider UK economic recovery through easier access to rail travel.

Jacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and CEO of the Rail Delivery Group, added, “This is another important step in making it easier for customers to travel by train. Extending tap-in-tap-out to a further 50 stations will mean even more rail customers can benefit from this technology, knowing they will always pay the right fare at the right price. The rail industry is committed to working with government to improve and enhance the overall experience for our customers.”

Louis Rambaud, Chief Customer Officer for Govia Thameslink Railway which runs Southern, Great Northern and Thameslink services, also said, “We’re pleased to be supporting this Government initiative to give our customers simple, easier journeys.”