This Order may be cited as the Milton Keynes (Electoral Changes) Order 2025.
The Milton Keynes (Electoral Changes) Order 2025
Published: Wed 26th Nov 25
This Order enacts recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England to change the electoral arrangements for the city of Milton Keynes, effective from 2026 onwards.
It legally abolishes all existing city wards and replaces them with 21 new wards, detailing the number of councillors for each, and establishes transitional rules for the first general election using these new arrangements in 2026, which will then revert to an election by thirds system.
Furthermore, the Order implements consequential changes to parish wards across several constituent parishes, redefining their boundaries and councillor numbers.
Arguments For
Implements a comprehensive review initiated by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England to modernise local electoral boundaries based on population changes and community identity.
Provides clarity and certainty regarding the electoral geography of Milton Keynes with defined boundaries set out on an official map.
Establishes a clear, staggered schedule for elections, ensuring the introduction of new arrangements is managed systemically, including transitional provisions for sitting councillors.
Structures parish representation more effectively by creating new wards in previously un-warded or re-warded parishes (Whitehouse, Bletchley & Fenny Stratford, etc.).
Arguments Against
Requires incumbent city councillors to stand down or retire in a staggered manner following the 2026 election, which could disrupt established local representation.
The abolition of existing wards can lead to the fragmentation of established community ties if the new boundaries do not align well with local recognition.
The introduction of new ward sizes and councillor numbers may alter the balance of local political representation in subsequent elections.
The phased commencement of articles relating to parish wards introduces complexity during the transition periods leading up to 2027 and 2028 elections.
Under section 58(4) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 20091 (“the Act”) the Local Government Boundary Commission for England2 (“the Commission”) published a report dated June 20253 stating its recommendations for changes to the electoral arrangements for the city of Milton Keynes. The Commission has decided to give effect to the recommendations.
A draft of the instrument has been laid before Parliament and a period of forty days has expired since the day on which it was laid and neither House has resolved that the instrument be not made.
The Commission makes the following Order in exercise of the power conferred by section 59(1) of the Act.
This introductory text establishes the legal basis for the Order, referencing Section 58(4) of the 2009 Act, which mandates the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (the Commission) to review electoral arrangements.
It confirms the Commission published its June 2025 report with recommendations for Milton Keynes and has now decided to implement those changes, having followed the necessary parliamentary procedure, exercising power under Section 59(1) of the Act.
Citation, commencement, extent and application1.
(1)
(2)
This article and article 2 come into force on the day after the day on which this Order is made.
(3)
Articles 3 and 4 come into force—
(a)
for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on the day after the day on which this Order is made;
(b)
for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England4 in 2026.
(4)
Articles 5 and 6 come into force—
(a)
for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on 15th October 2026;
(b)
for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2027.
(5)
Article 7 comes into force—
(a)
for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on 15th October 2027;
(b)
for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2028.
(6)
This Order extends to England and Wales but applies in relation to England only.
Article 1 specifies the operational timeline for the Order's provisions.
The citation title for the instrument is established as the Milton Keynes (Electoral Changes) Order 2025.
Articles 1 and 2 take immediate effect upon the Order being made.
Articles concerning city ward structure (Article 3) and city elections (Article 4) become effective for preparatory election proceedings immediately, but only apply to the first full council election in 2026.
Provisions related to specific parish wards in Walton and Kents Hill & Monkston (Articles 5 and 6) come into effect for preparatory county elections on October 15, 2026, with full effect relating to parish elections in 2027.
The final provisions concerning Bletchley & Fenny Stratford parish wards (Article 7) apply fully for elections starting in 2028.
The document's scope is limited to England, despite extending technically to England and Wales.
Interpretation2.
(1)
In this Order, “the map” means the map ее "Map referred to in the Milton Keynes (Electoral Changes) Order 2025” held by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England5.
(2)
Where a boundary is shown on the map as running along a road, railway line, footway, watercourse, or similar geographical feature, it is to be treated as running along the centre line of that feature.
Article 2 provides definitions essential for interpreting the Order.
It identifies 'the map' as the definitive document held by the Commission that illustrates the new boundary lines for all changes.
If a boundary line on this map follows a linear feature like a road or river, the legal boundary is established as running along the exact centre line of that feature.
Wards of the city of Milton Keynes and number of councillors3.
(1)
The existing wards of the city of Milton Keynes are abolished.
(2)
The city of Milton Keynes is divided into the 21 wards listed in the first column of the table in Schedule 1.
(3)
Each ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the ward.
(4)
The number of councillors to be elected for each ward is the number specified in relation to that ward in the second column of the table in Schedule 1.
Article 3 mandates the structural change to the city council's electoral division.
It formally abolishes all current city wards within Milton Keynes.
These are replaced by 21 new wards, the names and corresponding number of councillors for which are detailed in Schedule 1.
The precise geographical area covered by each new ward is determined by looking it up on the official map.
Elections of the city of Milton Keynes4.
(1)
Elections of all councillors for each ward of the city of Milton Keynes are to be held simultaneously on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2026.
(2)
The councillors holding office for any ward abolished by article 3(1) immediately before the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2026 are to retire on that fourth day and the newly elected councillors are to come into office on that fourth day.
(3)
Of the councillors elected for a ward in 2026, each is to retire in accordance with the provision made in the table in Schedule 2.
(4)
Of the councillors elected for a ward in 2026—
(a)
the first councillor for each ward to retire is to be the councillor elected by the smallest number of votes, and
(b)
the second councillor for each ward to retire is to be the councillor elected by the next smallest number of votes.
(5)
In the case of an equality of votes between any persons elected which makes it uncertain which of them is to retire in any year, the person to retire in that year is to be determined by lot.
(6)
If an election of councillors for any ward is not contested, the person to retire in each year is to be determined by lot.
(7)
An election to replace a councillor who is to retire under paragraph (3) is to be held on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in the year in which the retirement is due to take place, and any newly elected councillor is to come into office on the fourth day after that day.
(8)
Where under this article any question is to be determined by lot, the lot is to be drawn at the next practicable meeting of the council after the question has arisen and the drawing is to be conducted under the direction of the person presiding at the meeting.
Article 4 governs the process for the city council elections structured around the new wards.
It mandates that all councillors for the new wards are elected concurrently in the 2026 general local election.
Current councillors retire on the fourth day after this 2026 election, and the newly elected councillors officially take office that same day.
For wards electing multiple councillors, Schedule 2 dictates the staggered retirement order over subsequent elections: councillors elected by the smallest number of votes will retire earliest, followed by the next smallest, ensuring the council rotates.
If vote counts are equal, retirement year is decided by lot, as it is also if the election is uncontested.
Subsequent replacement elections align with the ordinary election days in the years of scheduled retirement, with the new councillor taking office four days later.
Any necessary drawing of lots must occur at the earliest possible subsequent council meeting under the chair's direction.
Parish wards of the parishes of Broughton & Milton Keynes, Kents Hill & Monkston, Stantonbury and Walton and number of councillors5.
(1)
The existing parish wards of the parishes of Broughton & Milton Keynes, Kents Hill & Monkston, Stantonbury and Walton are abolished.
(2)
The parish of Broughton & Milton Keynes is divided into the two parish wards listed in the first column of table 1 in Schedule 3.
(3)
The parish of Kents Hill & Monkston is divided into the three parish wards listed in the first column of table 2 in Schedule 3.
(4)
The parish of Stantonbury is divided into the five parish wards listed in the first column of table 3 in Schedule 3.
(5)
The parish of Walton is divided into the five parish wards listed in the first column of table 4 in Schedule 3.
(6)
Each parish ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the parish ward.
(7)
The number of councillors to be elected for each parish ward is the number specified in relation to that parish ward in the second column of the relevant table in Schedule 3.
Article 5 details consequential changes for several existing parishes consequent on the city ward changes.
It abolishes the current parish wards for Broughton & Milton Keynes, Kents Hill & Monkston, Stantonbury, and Walton.
New divisions are established: Broughton & Milton Keynes gets two new parish wards (Table 1, Sch 3); Kents Hill & Monkston gets three (Table 2, Sch 3); Stantonbury gets five (Table 3, Sch 3); and Walton gets five (Table 4, Sch 3).
The geographic extent of each new parish ward is defined by reference to the map, and Schedule 3 specifies the precise number of councillors for each.
Parish wards of the parish of Whitehouse and number of councillors6.
(1)
The parish of Whitehouse is divided into two parish wards, namely—
(a)
East;
(b)
West.
(2)
Each parish ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the parish ward.
(3)
The number of councillors to be elected for each parish ward is the number specified in relation to that parish ward in the second column of the table in Schedule 4.
Article 6 addresses the parish of Whitehouse, which previously held no parish wards.
It divides this parish into two new wards: East and West.
The boundaries are defined by reference to the map, and Schedule 4 lists the specific number of councillors assigned to East (3) and West (4).
Parish wards of the parish of Bletchley & Fenny Stratford and number of councillors7.
(1)
The existing parish wards of the parish of Bletchley & Fenny Stratford are abolished.
(2)
The parish of Bletchley & Fenny Stratford is divided into the nine parish wards listed in the first column of the table in Schedule 5.
(3)
Each parish ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the parish ward.
(4)
The number of councillors to be elected for each parish ward is the number specified in relation to that parish ward in the second column of the table in Schedule 5.
Article 7 governs the electoral restructuring within the parish of Bletchley & Fenny Stratford.
It first abolishes the existing parish wards for this area.
The parish is then redrawn into nine new parish wards, detailed in Schedule 5.
The boundaries are determined by the map, and Schedule 5 further specifies the corresponding number of councillors to be elected for each of these nine new wards.
Sealed with the seal of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England
Ailsa Irvine
Chief Executive
Local Government Boundary Commission for England
This section concludes the Order by showing its formal enactment.
It indicates the document was officially sealed with the seal of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, evidenced by the signature of Ailsa Irvine, the Chief Executive, dated November 18, 2025.
Schedules City ward Number of councillors Bletchley Park & Fenny Stratford 3 Bletchley South 3 Bletchley West 3 Bradwell 3 Broughton & Moulsoe 3 Campbell Park & Willen 3 Central Milton Keynes 3 Danesborough 3 Furzton 3 Great Linford 3 Hanslope 1 New Bradwell 2 Newport Pagnell 3 Olney & Rural 3 Ouzel Valley 3 Stony Stratford 3 Tattenhoe 3 Walton 3 Watling 3 Wolverton 3 Woughton & Fishermead 3 City ward Number of councillors to retire in 2027 Number of councillors to retire in 2028 Number of councillors to retire in 2030 Bletchley Park & Fenny Stratford 1 1 1 Bletchley South 1 1 1 Bletchley West 1 1 1 Bradwell 1 1 1 Broughton & Moulsoe 1 1 1 Campbell Park & Willen 1 1 1 Central Milton Keynes 1 1 1 Danesborough 1 1 1 Furzton 1 1 1 Great Linford 1 1 1 Hanslope 0 0 1 New Bradwell 0 1 1 Newport Pagnell 1 1 1 Olney & Rural 1 1 1 Ouzel Valley 1 1 1 Stony Stratford 1 1 1 Tattenhoe 1 1 1 Walton 1 1 1 Watling 1 1 1 Wolverton 1 1 1 Woughton & Fishermead 1 1 1 Parish ward Number of councillors Broughton & Atterbury 9 Village 3 Parish ward Number of councillors Kents Hill & Kingston 4 Monkston 5 Monkston Park 2 Parish ward Number of councillors Bancroft 1 Blue Bridge 1 Bradville & Stantonbury 6 Linford Wood 3 Oakridge Park 2 Parish ward Number of councillors Browns Wood & Old Farm Park 2 Caldecotte 1 Glebe Farm 1 Walnut Tree & Walton Park 4 Wavendon Gate 2 Parish ward Number of councillors East 3 West 4 Parish ward Number of councillors Central Bletchley 1 Eaton North 3 Eaton South 2 Fenny Stratford 3 Granby 1 Manor North & Eaton Leys 2 Manor South 3 Newton Leys 4 Queensway & Denbigh West 2Schedule 1Wards of the city of Milton Keynes and number of councillors
Schedule 2Retirement of councillors elected in 2026
Schedule 3Parish wards of the parishes of Broughton & Milton Keynes, Kents Hill & Monkston, Stantonbury and Walton and number of councillors
Table 1Parish wards of the parish of Broughton & Milton Keynes and number of councillorsTable 2Parish wards of the parish of Kents Hill & Monkston and number of councillorsTable 3Parish wards of the parish of Stantonbury and number of councillorsTable 4Parish wards of the parish of Walton and number of councillorsSchedule 4Parish wards of the parish of Whitehouse and number of councillors
Schedule 5Parish wards of the parish of Bletchley & Fenny Stratford and number of councillors
The Schedules provide the detailed lists necessary for implementation.
Schedule 1 enumerates the 21 new city wards and assigns the number of councillors for each (most wards receive 3, but Hanslope receives 1, and New Bradwell receives 2).
Schedule 2 details the retirement rotation for the councillors elected in the 2026 city-wide election, based on their vote share, to ensure that after the initial whole-council election, the system reverts to electing one-third of the council annually, supplemented by elections in 2027, 2028, and 2030.
Schedule 3 outlines the new parish ward structures and councillor numbers for Broughton & Milton Keynes (2 wards), Kents Hill & Monkston (3 wards), Stantonbury (5 wards), and Walton (5 wards).
Schedule 4 establishes the two new parish wards for Whitehouse (East and West) and their respective councillor numbers (3 and 4).
Finally, Schedule 5 details the nine new parish wards created within Bletchley & Fenny Stratford and the number of councillors associated with each new ward.
Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order makes changes to electoral arrangements for the city of Milton Keynes following recommendations made by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. This Order does not change the boundary of the city itself.
Article 3 abolishes the existing electoral wards of the city of Milton Keynes and replaces them with the 21 new ones listed in Schedule 1 for the purpose of elections held on or after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2026. It also establishes the names and areas of the new electoral wards and the number of councillors for each.
Article 4 makes provision for a whole council election in 2026. Subsequently, the council will revert to the existing system of election by thirds. Article 4 also provides for the order of retirement of councillors in 2027, 2028 and 2030 and the election of their replacements.
Article 5 makes changes to parish wards that are consequential on the changes made by article 3. The changes to parish wards introduced by article 5 come into force for the purpose of parish elections in 2027 and in respect of subsequent parish elections.
Article 6 makes similar provision specifically for the new parish wards of the parish of Whitehouse, which was previously un-warded, for the purpose of parish elections in 2027 and in respect of subsequent parish elections.
Article 7 makes similar provision specifically for the new parish wards of the parish of Bletchley & Fenny Stratford, for the purpose of parish elections in 2028 and in respect of subsequent parish elections.
The area covered by each ward created by this Order is identified on a map which is available for inspection at reasonable times at the principal office of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, 7th Floor, 3 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8YZ. The map is also accessible online at: https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/milton-keynes/.
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.
The Explanatory Note clarifies that the Order implements the Commission's electoral recommendations for Milton Keynes without altering the city's external boundary.
It reiterates that Article 3 introduces 21 new city wards for elections beginning in 2026, and Article 4 reverts the city council election cycle to electing by thirds after a full election in 2026.
Articles 5, 6, and 7 detail the consequential creation and timing of implementation for new parish wards in specific parishes, generally taking effect for parish elections in the years 2027 or 2028.
The map detailing these new boundaries is available for public inspection at the Commission's London office or online. The note concludes by stating that a full impact assessment was deemed unnecessary as no significant impact on the private, voluntary, or public sectors is anticipated.
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