Decision

RESOLVED:

1. That this Council notes:

a)            That the Universal United Kingdom Resort in Bedfordshire, planned to open in 2031, represents a potentially transformational economic opportunity for Milton Keynes and the wider region, with significant potential benefits across tourism, hospitality, retail, leisure, construction, skills and other sectors of the local economy.

b)            That the Government has stated that the development is expected to generate nearly £50 billion of economic benefit for the UK and create approximately 28,000 jobs across construction and operation.

c)             That Milton Keynes is particularly well placed to benefit because of its proximity to the resort, its transport connections, substantial business base, accommodation and leisure offer, and established visitor economy.

d)            That Bedford Borough Council anticipates the resort attracting approximately 8.5 million visitors annually, rising to 12.5 million, while Milton Keynes City Council has stated that around 150,000 visitors each weekend are expected to use shuttle buses from Milton Keynes Central to reach the resort.

e)            That major transport investment, including East West Rail and improvements to the Marston Vale Line, has the potential to strengthen connectivity between Milton Keynes, Bletchley and the Universal development.

f)              That Milton Keynes City Council has committed to developing a Universal Readiness Plan and its Investment Prospectus recognises Universal as a major regional growth driver, while Government has begun convening councils and regional partners to consider how the economic benefits can be spread across the wider region.

1. That this Council believes that:

a)            The scale of Universal requires an ambitious and long-term approach if Milton Keynes is to maximise the opportunities it presents and recognises the work already undertaken by officers to provide a strong economic base for future work.

b)            Milton Keynes will be competing with other towns and cities for investment, visitors, overnight stays, jobs and supply-chain opportunities and should establish clear and measurable ambitions against which progress can be assessed.

c)             Milton Keynes should aim not simply to move Universal visitors through the city, but encourage them to “stay, spend and return”, supporting our hotels, restaurants, retail, leisure, culture and other local businesses.

d)            Milton Keynes businesses should be supported to compete for procurement and supply-chain opportunities, while residents should be well positioned to access the jobs, apprenticeships, skills and training opportunities arising from this major investment.

e)            The opportunities from Universal will extend well beyond its anticipated opening in 2031 and require sustained partnership working, transparent reporting and cross-party oversight of the Council's strategic response.

1. That this Council resolves to:

a)            Business and supply chain

i)               Support the relevant Cabinet Member in their work with Invest Milton Keynes, Universal, and regional partners, at the most commercially appropriate time, to help Milton Keynes businesses identify and compete for procurement and supply-chain opportunities associated with the construction and operation of Universal.

ii)             Note that this should include a Milton Keynes Universal Business Readiness Survey to establish business awareness, preparedness, interest in supply-chain opportunities and what support local businesses require.

b)            Jobs and skills

To request that the relevant Cabinet Members continue their work with Invest Milton Keynes, Universal, local employers, education and skills providers, and the wider supply chain, to establish measurable ambitions for Milton Keynes residents accessing jobs, apprenticeships, training and other employment opportunities associated with Universal and its supply chain.

c)             Visitor economy

i)               Enhance the work with Invest Milton Keynes and Destination Milton Keynes, to asses Milton Keynes' current and future visitor accommodation capacity and develops a distinct Milton Keynes visitor proposition linked to Universal.

ii)             Note that this should seek to increase overnight stays and visitor expenditure by promoting the city's accommodation, shopping, restaurants, leisure, culture, heritage, events and attractions.

d)            Investment and delivery

To request that the relevant Cabinet Member continues to promote and seek additional inward investment for Milton Keynes which aims to work with Universal, and monitors Invest Milton Keynes and relevant Council services so they have sufficient capacity to deliver the Council's Universal Readiness ambitions.

e)            Transport and connectivity

i)               To request that the relevant Cabinet Members continue to work with East West Rail, Network Rail, Government, transport operators and neighbouring authorities to ensure that Universal's transport needs and opportunities are fully reflected in planning affecting Milton Keynes.

ii)             Note that this should include rail frequency and capacity, Bletchley and Milton Keynes Central stations, the Marston Vale Line, East West Rail, shuttle services, the strategic road network and local transport connections.

f)              Cross-party oversight

To support the Leader in their proposal for a series of cross-party consultation sessions aimed at three common themes:

·        Tourism (December 2026)

·        Transport (January 2027)

·        Jobs and Skills (March 2027)

And for group leaders to join with the Leader to support the planned round table events to engage business and become Universal ready, and to establish, within Leaders Announcements at Full Council, updates progress.

g)            Annual accountability

i)               To request that the relevant Cabinet Member provides an annual Universal Readiness update to the relevant scrutiny committee, setting out progress, as far as information is available and where commercial sensitivities allow, on:

·     contracts and supply-chain opportunities secured by Milton Keynes businesses;

·     business readiness;

·     hotel capacity, overnight stays and visitor numbers;

·     jobs, apprenticeships, training and skills outcomes for Milton Keynes residents;

·     inward investment and visitor expenditure;

·     delivery of the Milton Keynes visitor proposition; and

·     transport and infrastructure commitments.

ii)             These updates should continue through the development and opening of the Universal United Kingdom Resort and for at least five years following its opening, after which the reporting arrangements should be reviewed.