What is happening in Milton Keynes and South Midlands?

An overview

The Milton Keynes and South Midlands (MKSM) Growth Area forms a sub-region comprising parts of three regions:

the East Midlands
East of England
the South East

It has a population of 1.5m and covers 4,850sq. km. The Growth Area covers the counties of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire, and the unitary councils of Luton and Milton Keynes:

Bedfordshire districts: Bedford, Mid Bedfordshire, South Bedfordshire
Buckinghamshire districts: Aylesbury Vale
Northamptonshire districts: Corby, Daventry, East Northamptonshire, Kettering, Northampton, South Northamptonshire, Wellingborough
Luton Unitary Authority
Milton Keynes Unitary Authority

MKSM is benefiting from the close joint working of those involved in the growth proposals for this complex, cross-regional area. The three Regional Assemblies worked closely together to progress the planning framework for growth, and the respective Government Offices involved in the growth area work closely with delivery partners and have established a joint office in Milton Keynes to help facilitate a joined-up approach.

Delivery of growth depends on strong partnerships between a wide range of organisations. To facilitate this partnership working, the MKSM Growth Area has an Inter-Regional Board, chaired by a Communities and Local Government Minister. The Board brings together senior representatives from regional and local partners and representatives of the full range of delivery agencies in the growth area to provide strategic leadership in co-ordinating the activities of agencies in support of the growth agenda. The Board focuses on areas where high-level executive intervention is necessary to deliver strategic priorities.

Thematic work is also being undertaken in the growth area by sub-groups and others: