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Council to strip regeneration vehicle of powers
A council is to strip its flagship regeneration vehicle of a host of responsibilities over concerns about rifts with residents.
Milton Keynes Council’s cabinet voted on Tuesday night to make a series of changes to Your MK, a 50/50 partnership between the authority and Mears Group.
Your MK was established in 2015 by the council’s Labour-minority administration to carry out repairs and redevelopment at seven ageing estates across the town.
Its central objective was “community-led regeneration”, but the company has drawn criticism for its approach to engaging with tenants and residents – including from the council.
A report put before yesterday’s cabinet meeting warned that “the level of concern and mistrust in some areas is potentially undermining the process of regeneration and the potential benefits this might bring”.
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The council agreed to pause the Your MK regeneration programme in January after tenants on the Fullers Slade Estate – the first in line for demolitions – complained about feeling locked out of the consultation process. It also decided to give Fullers Slade residents a ballot to approve the regeneration.
Now, the cabinet has approved proposals to bring repairs management back in house – though the frontline work will still be carried out by Mears as part of its wider maintenance contract with the council.
Your MK will also be stripped of its community engagement function and its neighbourhood employment team.
There will be changes to the “structure, operation and senior management of Your MK”, but the company will still lead on the development of the regeneration schemes.
Duncan Sharkey, corporate director of place at Milton Keynes Council, has been instructed to negotiate the changes with Mears.
The council has also opted to provide Your MK with another £199,000 a year from its Housing Revenue Account.
Council officers will consult with residents on proposals for the other six priority estates over the next 18 months.
