Welcome to our new Mayor

Councillor Marie Bradburn, the new Mayor of Milton Keynes for 2024-2025 tells us a little about herself and outlines her themes of education, young people and active transport for her mayoral year…

My Mayoral Year began with the Annual Council Meeting at the Civic Offices earlier this month, the room was filled with family, friends, council colleagues and not to mention family watching at home from across the water in Ireland, it truly was a very special evening and one I will never forget.

Having lived in Milton Keynes for almost 30 years, I have seen just how much our city has grown and flourished. I am immensely proud of the diversity and rich culture we hold in Milton Keynes, and I am looking forward to working with everyone on the city’s journey as it goes from strength to strength.

For those that don’t know, I come from the west of Ireland from a little village called Kilglass, although I have lived in my ward of Bradwell since 1997. I have been married for 40 years to my husband Robin, I have a son, a daughter, and five wonderful grandchildren.

I have served the residents of Bradwell since 2016 and since have learnt so much, my biggest regret is that I didn’t do it 20 years ago!
My themes for the year are education, young people, and active transport.

Throughout my time on the City Council, I have had the privilege of chairing the Corporate Parenting Panel which has held a special place in my heart. When people ask me how many children I have I always respond with 2 biologically, but also the almost 400 children in care, that we as the City Council are the legal corporate parent to. During my term as Mayor, I will be championing fostering recruitment to guarantee a good and loving home for our children in care. Just as we aspire for our biological children it’s equally essential and our responsibility to aspire for our children in care to guide them into the future, into adulthood, independent living, and beyond.

Earlier this month, I launched the Mayor’s Year of Cycling and over the course of the year I will be attending as many events as possible by cycling or walking. I hope that this will encourage more residents to travel sustainably across the city and ensure we are well on our way to becoming a cleaner, greener, and healthier city.

Traditionally, the Mayor’s consort is a family member but given my chosen themes I am delighted to announce that two young people in care will be accompanying me to events this year.

Finally, a mention to the charity I will be supporting this year. I’m pleased to be supporting Sieve MK Gateway, a charity that is dedicated to addressing educational underachievement among young people, particularly BAME students. The charity offers tutoring services and mentoring programmes to young people across the city which helps them to realise their full potential.

I have personally had the honour of working with the team in the past and I have seen the vital work they do and how they transform young people’s lives.

The charity, which started in a small room in Neath Hill with a handful of young people is now located within The Point in the city and is now raising funds to build a new learning and enterprise centre.

To support the charity please visit: Mayor of Milton Keynes is fundraising for SMK Gateway (justgiving.com)