Plans to fund an upgrade of traffic signals on an important roundabout close to the M1 will be proposed by leading councillors as part of the upcoming MK Council budget.

Northfield roundabout, that links the A509 (H5 Portway), the H6 Childs Way and the M1 is set for a £120,000 make over if the budget proposals by the Progressive Alliance, to be discussed by all councillors in February, are agreed.

The Progressive Alliance that runs Milton Keynes Council will propose funding to fix an additional 7000 more potholes as part of their budget plans.

Proposals to be made by the Cabinet will see an additional £250,000 of funding potentially allocated next year, enough to fix an additional 7,000 potholes across Milton Keynes. It is also proposed that £50,000 of that funding be brought forward for use in February and March.

Milton Keynes Council has secured an extra £541,000 under the Additional Restrictions Grant scheme, and will be distributing it to businesses impacted by the Omicron variant.

The funding is open to businesses who are not able to get support under the government's Omicron Hospitality and Leisure grant scheme, in particular:

Charities, not-for-profit organisations, and businesses that have been impacted by the pandemic could be entitled to business rate relief in the next financial year.

This means that from April 2022, Liberal Democrat and Labour-run Milton Keynes Council could give certain charities and not-for-profit organisations up to 100% discount on their business rates bill.

Last month, the Home Office chose the former Woughton House Hotel, located in Woughton-on-the-Green, as accommodation for asylum seekers.

Local councillors have stepped up to help, but also have some questions for the Home Office.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Paul Trendall will be bringing a motion to the Council about this next week, asking the Leader and Chief Executive to put the pressing questions to the Home Secretary.