Milton Keynes Council owns two Tower Blocks, both built in the 1960s. Labour is committed to installing sprinklers in the blocks, but believes the funding should come from Central Government, not from tenants or leaseholder’s pockets.

The Council leadership has endorsed a letter from Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn MP calling upon the Chancellor to fund the sprinklers in the forthcoming Autumn Budget statement on the 22 November.

Council Leader Cllr Pete Marland said, “I am pleased that Milton Keynes Council Cabinet has endorsed Jeremy Corbyn’s letter to the Chancellor seeking funding to cover the cost of installing sprinklers in Tower Blocks like Mellish Court in Bletchley and the Gables in Wolverton.”

Following on from the dreadful Grenfell Tower fire in London, Milton Keynes Council checked all its blocks of flats including its two Tower Blocks.

Cabinet member for Adult Social Care and Housing Cllr Nigel Long added, “In early 2018 I will bring forward proposals to install sprinklers in the two Tower blocks owned by the Council, subject to tenant support for such a move. However, I believe it wrong that tenants should pay the bill for past mistakes of Government. I believe that the Government should fund the sprinklers. That is why the Leader of the Opposition, Jeremy Corbyn MP  is right to demand the Chancellor include funding in the next budget to fund the sprinklers. That is why I signed the letter to the Chancellor.”   

Cllr Marland concluded, “The safety of tenants in tower blocks is important. I am pleased we are taking action on Fire safety, but believe the Government, not the tenants, should pick up the bill. That would be fair.”  

Jeremy Corbyn’s letter can be found at: https://action.labour.org.uk/page/s/make-homes-safe