The Leader of Milton Keynes City Council has been named Councillor of the Year at the Labour Housing Awards – and used the opportunity to announce that he will be retiring as leader next May, after twelve years in the role.
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.
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 city council stated that MK City Council was “Highly performing and well-run.”
Pete led Labour to their first majority on the council in almost 30 years in May 2024.
“I’m very honoured and pleased that our work in MK delivering much needed homes for local families has been recognised,” said Cllr Marland, “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.
“The reputation of Milton Keynes is strong and continues to grow. We are seen as a beacon of progressive growth and doing things well. Our city has come a long way over the past decade, and I’m pleased that the city is starting to get the recognition it deserves.
“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,” he said.
Addressing his upcoming retirement, he added: “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.
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.”
