‘Just get on and do the work’ say Conservative Councillors Peter Geary and Keith McLean after expressing their ‘deep frustration’ at Milton Keynes City Council’s continued ignorance towards residents of Lavendon, who have experienced significant flooding three times over the last twelve years.
Most recently, in September 2024, severe flash floods devastated 48 homes, a local church, a local business and left multiple roads impassable. Despite repeated requests from residents, a resident-led motion to Milton Keynes Council, and direct appeals to the Cabinet member, the Labour-run council has refused to meet with residents or take any action.
The ward members for Olney say what makes it worse is Milton Keynes City Council’s decision to spend £2 million to protect two new buildings on the Milton Keynes East development but they will not spend half of that amount to protect a rural village that continues to suffer so significantly.
Councillor Peter Geary said:
"It is completely unacceptable that the council continues to ignore the people of Lavendon. These residents have suffered time and again and were promised action—yet Labour refuses to listen. If they can spend £2m to protect their own buildings, why can’t they spend far less to protect the whole of this village.”
This scheme was funded in the council’s capital programme when Labour took over the council in 2014 and promised to the residents in 2015 but then they cut these funds to spend on their own projects elsewhere in the city. They must find the funds for flood defences that protect real people’s homes and livelihoods"
The Lavendon flood prevention scheme began over a decade ago but remains incomplete. The first half of the programme was finished in 2013-14, yet since then, progress has stalled—despite the former Conservative MP Ben Everitt securing £150,000 of Government funding through the Frequently Flooded Allowance Scheme, which still sits unspent.
Meanwhile, the Labour-led council has chosen to borrow £4 million to cover overspending on the already bloated MK East development, while neglecting a critical scheme that would protect one of Milton Keynes’ most rural communities.
Councillor Keith McLean added:
"It’s disgraceful that the council can find money for pet projects but won’t invest in protecting residents from flooding. We have asked on multiple occasions over the past few years, for the Cabinet member and officers to meet with residents and see the impact for themselves—yet they refuse. The people of Lavendon deserve better, in fact they deserve action not dialogue now. Plans for the remainder of the flood mitigation scheme are well advanced and work could start this year if approval is given soon."
The Conservative councillors are calling on the Labour-led administration to stop ignoring rural communities, complete the long-overdue flood prevention scheme, and meet with affected residents to listen to their concerns.
