Latest news with #MiltonKeynesCityCouncil
The Sun
3 days ago
- General
- The Sun
I've spent years living in a shipping container that's like a ‘prison' with my young son – we are desperate for a home
A MUM has spent two years living in a metal shipping container while waiting for a permanent home. Katie O'Brien, 29, and her nine-year-old son were moved into the container she likened to a "prison" by Milton Keynes City Council in 2023. 5 5 5 It was an emergency measure after they became homeless following Katie being evicted by her previous landlord from private housing. The two-bedroom home has no garden and residents in the 70 containers have a communal space for washing machines. There are no doorbells and Katie says there's no wi-fi. Katie, a bar associate studying to be a veterinary nurse, said the container becomes a "sauna" in the summer months and is desperate for a new home. She said: "Some days it's so bad that it's hard to breathe. "We've had to evacuate to stay with my dad before, when it's been really hot. "In the winter, I can put the heating on and that works. In the summer, it is a sauna. "There's not enough room for everything we need. My son calls it a 'prison'. "The council have let us down. They told me it was for three months and then next they said it could be for up to two years. "We're still waiting to move. It's not a good place to live long-term at all." The container is one of dozens installed by the council in Pencarrow Mews on Fishermead estate in Milton Keynes. Each one has opening windows, heating during the winter and is fitted out with basic essentials. They have a living area with a kitchen and two bedrooms - but Katie said there is no storage space or oven - just a two ring hob and microwave. Katie's home is comprised of three 20-foot long by eight-foot wide containers with metal walls - leaving temperatures inside the unit become "unbearable". Katie, who also cares for her dad, said: "It is just not a very suitable place to spend two years in. "I was evicted by a private housing landlord. My previous house had rats, electric heating and furniture left behind was a fire hazard. "I put a claim in for harassment against my previous landlord and it took six months for the police to even take a statement. "The council gave me temporary accommodation and I went to look at it - it was a shipping container. This is not a home. "I can't have people staying over so my son can't have his friends over for a sleepover and I can't have my partner round." Katie, who was born and bred in Milton Keynes, said she has repeatedly asked the council for a permanent home. She said: "All they do is advise me to rent privately. But that's far too expensive - I just don't earn enough. "I work as a bar attendant and I'm studying to be a veterinary nurse." Homelessness charity Shelter released figures in February which found 126,040 households in England are homeless in temporary accommodation. That is up 16 per cent in a year and another record high figure. Milton Keynes City Council's website described the 70-home complex in Pencarrow Mews in 2023 as 'an innovative modular development'. The website read: "Residents will stay in the Fishermead homes for a short period of time while Milton Keynes City Council works to find them a more permanent solution." However the city council has admitted the containers are "not ideal" places to live and has started installing solar glare film to reduce the heat. A council spokesperson said said: "Pencarrow Mews is a temporary home for people in emergency need while we support them to find longer-term accommodation, which can take time as like many councils we're dealing with high demand for accommodation. "We know the circumstances are not ideal, which is why we ask residents to think about private renting, backed up our covering a first month's rent and deposit and our topping up rent on an ongoing basis so it's more affordable. "We offer financial incentives to private landlords who commit to longer tenancies that give tenants peace of mind." 5 5
BBC News
23-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Plan for 3,500 homes across Milton Keynes and Central Bedfordshire
Concerns have been raised over a proposed housing development that could cross the boundary between two council approved, the Keepers Place project could see up to 3,500 new homes built on land next to the M1 motorway near Milton Keynes, but also on land in neighbouring Central Central Bedfordshire opposition councillor Sue Clark has voiced her concerns to the Local Democracy Reporting Service over the long term implications of the Peter Glazebrook, from developer Hallam Land, said: "We have an exciting opportunity here to create a sustainable, inclusive and well-connected community that meets the aspirations and growing needs of the local area." The development is part of Milton Keynes City Council's Local Plan 2050, but would be the first project to spill over the local authority's Land said it was hosting three consultation events on the proposals over the next two weeks, and hoped to put an outline planning application to the city council later this said there was an "important principle at stake here"."If this is granted planning permission, it would be the start of the expansion of Milton Keynes into Central Bedfordshire, and I will be calling on Central Bedfordshire Council to resist," she Land said it was committed to working collaboratively with both Peter Glazebrook said: "We are committed to bringing forward an application which offers the homes, jobs and infrastructure to benefit future generations."The government has recently rejected a fast-track devolution deal that could have involved several councils, including Central Bedfordshire and Milton Clark said she remained wary of the long-term implications, if those plans return to the table and mean both councils are incorporated into a larger combined authority."If we find ourselves part of the Government's devolution plans with Milton Keynes, then I suspect this will only be the start," she Zerny, independent leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, said: "We understand the developer wants to build on land in the Milton Keynes area, and some in Central Bedfordshire and we would expect to work closely with Milton Keynes over any border issues as has been the case in the past."Milton Keynes City Council said it would not comment due to the ongoing consultation by the developers. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Council agrees 4.99% tax rise and warns of cuts
A council leader has warned of "greater challenges ahead" after his authority agreed a council tax rise of 4.99% from April. Labour's Pete Marland confirmed Milton Keynes City Council needed to impose the maximum increase possible without a referendum "just to get anywhere close to balancing the budget". He said the authority would also have to make savings of £20m to balance its books and further cuts of "at least £32m" in the next three years. Councillors also voted through plans to cut about 100 jobs, although some staff will be redeployed into new roles in adult social care or children's services. The council has made savings of more than £200m in the last 15 years with more than two-thirds of its budget now spent on care and support for vulnerable children. The authority said it would need an extra £8m to pay for more residential placements for children with complex needs, and £6m to support vulnerable adults. The number of children being taken into care or needing support has also added over £13m to its financial pressures. The council, which has a budget of £286m, said it would continue weekly black bin collections but would introduce a charge for residents who want a second green bin. Marland said a balanced budget was "only possible because of difficult decisions taken... due to a £10m overspend in children's services and the 6% uplift in government funding from the Labour government". He said: "The cost of adult social care and children's care and temporary accommodation are rising and putting this council in a perilous financial position." He added: "We will have to rethink how many of the services are delivered by this council and the authority will not look the same in five years time, regardless of who is in charge." Liberal Democrat opposition leader Jane Carr said: "I have said many times we are in a crisis and we saw it coming. "We could have predicted it but, nevertheless, the shock when it came has derailed even our new government, leaving many councils across the country with hopes for change dashed." She added: "It is what comes next that really bothers me, for I fear it is already too late to save some of our services, particularly non-statutory." The Conservatives, lead by group leader Shazna Muzammil, voted against the budget. She claimed it "falls short of supporting our young, supporting our elderly and supporting our most vulnerable". "The financial mismanagement on display is unacceptable and comes at a significant cost to our taxpayers," she said. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Milton Keynes Council Draft Budget 25/26 Milton Keynes Council Budget Agenda Councils miss out on fast-track devolution deal Town 'frustrated' by delays in reopening road Residents upset over pruning of 130-year-old trees
BBC News
21-02-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Milton Keynes Council agrees 4.99% tax rise and warns of cuts
A council leader has warned of "greater challenges ahead" after his authority agreed a council tax rise of 4.99% from Pete Marland confirmed Milton Keynes City Council needed to impose the maximum increase possible without a referendum "just to get anywhere close to balancing the budget".He said the authority would also have to make savings of £20m to balance its books and further cuts of "at least £32m" in the next three also voted through plans to cut about 100 jobs, although some staff will be redeployed into new roles in adult social care or children's services. The council has made savings of more than £200m in the last 15 years with more than two-thirds of its budget now spent on care and support for vulnerable authority said it would need an extra £8m to pay for more residential placements for children with complex needs, and £6m to support vulnerable adults. The number of children being taken into care or needing support has also added over £13m to its financial council, which has a budget of £286m, said it would continue weekly black bin collections but would introduce a charge for residents who want a second green said a balanced budget was "only possible because of difficult decisions taken... due to a £10m overspend in children's services and the 6% uplift in government funding from the Labour government".He said: "The cost of adult social care and children's care and temporary accommodation are rising and putting this council in a perilous financial position."He added: "We will have to rethink how many of the services are delivered by this council and the authority will not look the same in five years time, regardless of who is in charge."Liberal Democrat opposition leader Jane Carr said: "I have said many times we are in a crisis and we saw it coming. "We could have predicted it but, nevertheless, the shock when it came has derailed even our new government, leaving many councils across the country with hopes for change dashed."She added: "It is what comes next that really bothers me, for I fear it is already too late to save some of our services, particularly non-statutory."The Conservatives, lead by group leader Shazna Muzammil, voted against the claimed it "falls short of supporting our young, supporting our elderly and supporting our most vulnerable"."The financial mismanagement on display is unacceptable and comes at a significant cost to our taxpayers," she said. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
