Conservative Councillors have voted against Labour’s 2026/27 budget, describing it as a plan that asks residents to “pay more and accept less.”
The budget includes a 4.99% council tax rise, rent increases, and more than 50 role reductions in the council.
The budget follows over a decade of Labour control at Milton Keynes City Council, during which council tax has risen year after year, including three previous consecutive maximum increases.
Group Leader Cllr Shazna Muzammil said the issue was not just the level of tax, but what residents are receiving in return.
“Year after year, council tax has gone up. In the last three years alone, it has risen to the maximum allowed. Residents are entitled to expect the basics done properly,” she said.
The Conservative Group raised concerns about major projects that have overrun, stalled or escalated in cost. These include the £10 million already spent at the Agora site, with only rubble to show for it; over £1 million spent on Saxon Court while it remains boarded up; significant cost increases at Linford Wood; overspend and slippage within MK East infrastructure works and many more.
“When projects are delayed, poorly costed and poorly managed, you need more money to finish these projects. When costs increase, residents, through no fault of their own, are asked to foot the bill” Cllr Muzammil said.
At the same time, councillors say everyday issues continue to frustrate residents — deteriorating roads, flooded underpasses, slow housing repairs and neglected public spaces.
“This is about priorities. Council tax should first protect our residents and maintain the services people rely on every day — supporting vulnerable children, caring for older residents, keeping homes safe, fixing our roads and maintaining clean, well-looked-after neighbourhoods. That has to come before everything else.”
Milton Keynes was built on ambition and delivery. The Conservative Group said they could not support a budget that, in their view, fails to reflect residents’ priorities and failed to deliver anything no time and on budget.
