With 2023 fast approaching, I want to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very Happy New Year.
2022 proved to be a year of turbulent headlines, with the sad death of Her Majesty the Queen, the war in Ukraine, the impact on everyone of inflation and the cost of living and three different Prime Ministers, all in a matter of months.
But professionalism and continuity has kept everything going – whether it’s the accession of King Charles, or locally Milton Keynes impressive ability to respond to frequent changes.
I am really proud of everyone who studies, lives and/or works in MK. Working together in partnership we have kept key services running across the public and voluntary sectors, as well as supporting Ukrainian refugees and those from other parts of globe, helping people in hardship and supporting families through challenging times. In particular, a huge thank you must also go to the army of NHS staff and volunteers across all of Milton Keynes who have made it possible.
Let’s look to the future. City Status for Milton Keynes is an added dimension that highlights the Governments renewed confidence in our ability to deliver, and which entrusts us with the status and international reputation that will provide an added boost to the local economy, job growth and meeting future housing needs. I am confident that this is only the start and that sustainable growth, focused and in line with meeting our commitment to addressing the climate emergency, can only expand the cities international reputation and future prospects.
A New Year is a time of hope, and as we learned during the pandemic – the difficult times that we are currently experiencing are an opportunity to reinforce the strength of our communities, working together to support each other through the current crisis, and whatever unexpected challenges 2023 brings. As we know, this wretched virus has not completely gone away, however, we have learned to live with it and there is no better way to do that than to continue to get vaccinated.
Good luck to you and your family in 2023. Let's make this year, the city of Milton Keynes very special celebration year.
God save the King
Cllr David Hopkins
