James Lancaster | Councillor for Tattenhoe, Milton Keynes

Councillor James Lancaster

Labour Tattenhoe Mayor

Email: james.lancaster@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Council Profile: View on council website

Committees: Planning Committee Licensing Committee Regulatory Committee Council (Mayor) Planning Panel Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee Corporate Parenting Panel Budget & Resources Scrutiny Committee BMKFA - Executive Committee (Committee Member) Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority (Committee Member) Licensing Sub Committee Regulatory Sub Committee

Positions, Voting Record & Activity Summary

Last updated: 7 days ago

James Lancaster's council service, particularly in recent years, demonstrates a clear progression in his role and a consistent dedication to community well-being and procedural integrity. His most significant contributions and evolving focus are evident in his 2025 mayoral year.

Key Themes and Priorities:

Across his council service, Lancaster has consistently prioritized procedural fairness, transparency, and community engagement. In 2024, as Deputy Mayor, he actively participated in various scrutiny and regulatory committees, emphasizing due diligence and questioning the sufficiency of data in planning and viability assessments. His focus on individual assessment for applications and his concerns about data presented highlight a commitment to robust decision-making.

In 2025, his transition to Mayor of Milton Keynes amplified these themes and introduced a strong emphasis on leisure, sport, cultural services, and active living. As Mayor, he championed initiatives promoting healthy lifestyles and supported grassroots sports clubs and community engagement. His commitment to inclusion, diversity, and culture was a central tenet of his mayoral year. He also demonstrated a dedication to the ceremonial aspects of the role, presiding over significant events like the granting of the Freedom of the City and commemorations.

Evolution of Focus:

Lancaster's focus has demonstrably evolved from a strong procedural and scrutiny role in 2024 to a more outward-facing, leadership-driven agenda as Mayor in 2025. While his commitment to procedural matters remained, as evidenced by his formal motions on council procedures and strategic plans, his mayoral year saw him actively promoting specific areas of community life. The shift from Deputy Mayor to Mayor signifies a move from a supportive and scrutinizing role to one of direct leadership and advocacy for key community pillars.

Most Significant Contributions (Especially in Recent Years):

In 2025, his most significant contributions include:

Presiding as Mayor: Leading council meetings and setting the tone for the year's agenda.
Championing Leisure, Sport, and Culture: Actively promoting these services and advocating for active living and community engagement.
Supporting Local Charities: Dedicating his mayoral year to raising awareness and funds for Camphill MK, Emily's Star, and the Henry Allen Trust.
Formalizing Council Procedures: Moving recommendations on council procedure rules, committee appointments, and strategic plans, including the Community Safety and Serious Violence Strategy.
Presiding over Key Ceremonial Events: Including the Freedom of the City for Dean Lewington and commemorations like VE Day 80 and White Ribbon Day.

In 2024, his contributions were significant in his role as Deputy Mayor, particularly in his vigilant scrutiny of council activities and his role in managing procedural matters during exceptional circumstances, such as the budget meeting following a power outage.

Patterns and Consistent Areas of Interest:

A consistent pattern throughout Lancaster's service is his dedication to procedural correctness and ensuring that council decisions are well-informed and transparent. He consistently engages in the detailed work of council meetings, seconding motions, voting on amendments, and proposing changes. His interest in community well-being, whether through scrutiny of services or direct promotion of leisure and culture, is also a recurring theme. His status as the youngest mayor also highlights a potential focus on bringing a fresh perspective and modern approach to council leadership.

Yearly Activity Timeline

In 2025, James Lancaster transitioned from his role as Deputy Mayor to become the Mayor of Milton Keynes for the 2025/26 Council Year. Throughout the year, he was actively involved in council meetings, often presiding over them in his mayoral capacity. His key priorities as Mayor centered on promoting leisure, sport, and cultural services, advocating for active and healthy living, and supporting grassroots sports clubs and community engagement. He emphasized inclusion, diversity, and culture, and proudly noted his status as the youngest mayor in the city's history. His chosen charities for the year were Camphill MK, Emily's Star, and the Henry Allen Trust. Lancaster also played a role in procedural matters, seconding motions and voting on various amendments and substantive motions related to council procedures, budget allocations, and constitutional arrangements. He formally moved recommendations concerning council procedure rules, committee appointments, and strategic plans, including the Community Safety and Serious Violence Strategy. Notable events he presided over included the granting of the Freedom of the City of Milton Keynes to Dean Lewington and announcements regarding various community initiatives and commemorations such as MK Pride, VE Day 80, and White Ribbon Day. He also abstained from a vote on proposed Fire Service Cuts.

Monthly Activity in 2025

During November 2025, James Lancaster, in his role as Mayor, made several announcements at the Council meeting on November 19th. These covered a range of topics including White Ribbon Day, Armistice and Remembrance Day, MK Foodbank seasonal campaigns, World AIDS Awareness Day, the Love to Ride's Winter Wheelers cycling challenge, Children's Grief Awareness week, the Members' Allowances Survey, the Youth Summit, and the MK Cycling Symposium. Mayor Lancaster also moved several recommendations for adoption by the council, including the Community Safety and Serious Violence Strategy 2025-29, the Councillor Training and Development Strategy, and reviews related to community governance, polling districts, and polling stations. He also declared an Other Registerable Interest for a specific item and confirmed a dispensation to speak and vote on it. In a recorded vote on proposed Fire Service Cuts in Milton Keynes, Councillor Lancaster abstained.

Meetings in November 2025

Council - Wednesday 19th November, 2025 7.30 pm - 19 November 2025

In his capacity as Mayor, James Lancaster made several announcements at the Council meeting on November 19th, 2025. These included updates on White Ribbon Day, Armistice and Remembrance Day, MK Foodbank seasonal campaigns, World AIDS Awareness Day, Love to Ride's Winter Wheelers cycling challenge, Children's Grief Awareness week, the Members' Allowances Survey, the Youth Summit, and the MK Cycling Symposium.

Mayor Lancaster also moved several recommendations for adoption by the council. These included the Community Safety and Serious Violence Strategy 2025-29, the Councillor Training and Development Strategy, CL65 (Community Governance Review), CL66 (Polling District, Polling Places and Polling Stations Review), and CL67 (Application to Pilot a Voting Hub in Milton Keynes at the 2026 Local Elections). He declared an Other Registerable Interest for item 7 and confirmed he had been granted a dispensation to speak and vote on it. During the recorded vote on CL64 (Proposed Fire Service Cuts in Milton Keynes), Councillor Lancaster abstained.

During the October 22nd, 2025 Council meeting, Mayor James Lancaster made several announcements, including updates on MK Pride, the 40th birthday of Newport Pagnell Town Council, his charity abseil, the election of two new Deputy Members of Youth Parliament, and Milton Keynes Tech Week. He also formally moved recommendations to receive the Scrutiny Annual Report 2024-25, co-opt Tara Jefferies to the Standards Committee, note the Quarterly Report on Special Urgency Decisions, and note the report on Ward Based Budgets 2025-26. The meeting was closed by Mayor Lancaster at 8:28 pm. (Note: The summary also includes details from a September 23rd meeting, which is outside the requested timeframe of October 2025.)

Meetings in October 2025

Council - Wednesday 22nd October, 2025 7.30 pm - 22 October 2025

In his capacity as Mayor, James Lancaster made several announcements at the Council meeting on October 22nd, 2025. These included updates on MK Pride, the 40th birthday of Newport Pagnell Town Council, his recent charity abseil, the election of two new Deputy Members of Youth Parliament, and Milton Keynes Tech Week. He also formally moved several recommendations, which were seconded by the Deputy Mayor: to receive the Scrutiny Annual Report 2024-25, to co-opt Tara Jefferies to the Standards Committee for a period of 4 years, to note the Quarterly Report on Special Urgency Decisions, and to note the report on Ward Based Budgets 2025-26. The Mayor closed the meeting at 8:28 pm. Additionally, in a special meeting on September 23rd, 2025, Mayor Lancaster congratulated Councillor Nayee on the birth of his son, formally declared Dean Lewington as being granted the Freedom of the City of Milton Keynes, and participated in the signing of the register and a presentation. He declared that meeting closed at 7:58 pm.

During September 2025, Councillor James Lancaster, in his role as Mayor, presided over a Special Council meeting on September 23rd. He began by congratulating Councillor Nayee on the birth of his son and granted permission for former Councillor Catriona Morris to speak. A key event was his formal declaration and subsequent signing of the register granting Dean Lewington the Freedom of the City of Milton Keynes, followed by a presentation. Councillor Lancaster concluded the meeting at 7:58 pm.

Meetings in September 2025

Special, Council - Tuesday 23rd September, 2025 7.30 pm - 23 September 2025

In his capacity as Mayor, Councillor James Lancaster extended congratulations to Councillor Nayee and his wife on the birth of their son. He also granted permission for former Councillor and Mayor, Catriona Morris, to speak. A significant action was his formal declaration that Dean Lewington was granted the Freedom of the City of Milton Keynes, after which he signed the register with Lewington and made a presentation. Councillor Lancaster concluded the meeting by declaring it closed at 7:58 pm.

Council - Wednesday 17th September, 2025 7.30 pm - 17 September 2025

There is no record of James Lancaster saying or doing anything in the provided documents for the Council meeting on 2025-09-17.

During July 2025, James Lancaster, in his capacity as Mayor, presided over a Council meeting on July 16th. He moved a recommendation to approve revised Council Procedure Rules, stating,

That revised Council Procedure Rules (shown with track changes at Annex A), be agreed.

. This motion was seconded and passed by the Council.

Meetings in July 2025

Council - Wednesday 16th July, 2025 7.30 pm - 16 July 2025

As Mayor, James Lancaster was present at the Council meeting on July 16th, 2025. He moved a recommendation to agree to revised Council Procedure Rules, stating:

That revised Council Procedure Rules (shown with track changes at Annex A), be agreed.

This recommendation was seconded by the Deputy Mayor and subsequently carried by the Council.

During the Council meeting on June 18, 2025, James Lancaster officially accepted his role as Mayor of Milton Keynes for the 2025/26 Council Year. He articulated his mayoral themes for the year, emphasizing the promotion of leisure, sport, and cultural services, advocating for healthy living, and supporting grassroots sports clubs and community engagement. He also highlighted his distinction as the youngest mayor in the city's history. Mayor Lancaster expressed gratitude to various groups for their support and announced Camphill MK as his chosen charity, also pledging support for Emily's Star and the Henry Allen Trust. He made announcements regarding VE Day 80 commemoration events and acknowledged the passing of Alderman Gladstone McKenzie and former Councillor Vanessa McPake. Furthermore, Mayor Lancaster moved several recommendations related to Council Procedure Rules, delegation of authority, committee structures, and appointments to various bodies, including the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority. In a recorded vote on Scrutiny and Constitutional Arrangements, he voted For both the Marland amendment and the substantive motion.

Meetings in June 2025

Council - Wednesday 18th June, 2025 7.30 pm - 18 June 2025

As Mayor, James Lancaster made several significant statements and took actions during the Council meeting on 18 June 2025. He formally accepted the office of Mayor of Milton Keynes for the 2025/26 Council Year, acknowledging his family's support and his grandmother's influence on his move to the city. He outlined his mayoral themes for the year, focusing on promoting leisure, sport, and cultural services, advocating for healthy living, and supporting grassroots sports clubs and community engagement. He also expressed pride in being the youngest mayor in the city's history.

Mayor Lancaster thanked various groups for their support, including the Labour Group, local MPs, and his Conservative and Liberal Democrat colleagues, as well as the former Mayor for her mentorship. He announced Camphill MK as his chosen charity for the year, highlighting their work with adults with learning disabilities and autism, and also pledged support for Emily's Star and the Henry Allen Trust.

He made announcements regarding VE Day 80 commemoration events and acknowledged the passing of Alderman Gladstone McKenzie and former Councillor Vanessa McPake.

Mayor Lancaster moved several recommendations, including those concerning Revised Council Procedure Rules, delegation of authority, the draft call-in proforma, committee seat numbers, Special Responsibility Allowances for Overview and Scrutiny Chairs, and training on new call-in arrangements. He also moved recommendations regarding Committee Proportionality, appointments to various bodies, and the Calendar of Meetings for 2025/26.

During a recorded vote on changes to Scrutiny and Constitutional Arrangements, Councillor Lancaster voted For both the Marland amendment and the substantive motion. He was also listed as a Labour representative for appointments to the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority.

During May 2025, James Lancaster was elected Mayor of Milton Keynes for the 2025/26 Council Year and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office. He emphasized his commitment to promoting leisure, sport, and cultural services, advocating for active, healthy living, and supporting grassroots sports clubs and community engagement. He also expressed pride in being the youngest mayor in the city's history and highlighted the importance of inclusion, diversity, and culture. His chosen charities for the year will be Camphill MK, Emily's Star, and the Henry Allen Trust. As Mayor, he moved several recommendations concerning the allocation of seats, committee appointments, and the Calendar of Meetings for 2025/26. He also voted in favour of the Marland amendment and changes to scrutiny and constitutional arrangements. Councillor Lancaster was also present at the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee meeting on May 14th, 2025.

Meetings in May 2025

Annual, Council - Wednesday 14th May, 2025 7.30 pm - 14 May 2025

Councillor James Lancaster was elected Mayor of Milton Keynes for the Council Year 2025/26 and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office. Upon accepting the role, he acknowledged his family, friends, and colleagues, crediting his grandmother's belief in Milton Keynes as a land of opportunity for his move to the city. He announced his wife, Sophie, would serve as Mayoress. His key themes for the year will focus on promoting leisure, sport, and cultural services, advocating for active, healthy living, and supporting grassroots sports clubs and community engagement. He also plans to participate in the Milton Keynes half marathon. Mayor Lancaster highlighted the importance of inclusion, diversity, and culture, expressing pride in being the youngest mayor in the city's history. He thanked the Labour Group, local Labour MPs, and his Conservative and Liberal Democrat colleagues for their collaboration, as well as the former Mayor, Councillor Marie Bradburn, for her mentorship. His chosen charity for the year will be Camphill MK, and he committed to being a vocal ambassador for their work supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism. He also pledged to support Emily's Star and the Henry Allen Trust. In closing, he expressed pride and optimism for Milton Keynes, describing it as a diverse, innovative, and community-driven city.

In addition to his mayoral duties, Councillor Lancaster voted in favour of the Marland amendment and the substantive motion regarding changes to scrutiny and constitutional arrangements. He also moved several recommendations as Mayor, including the reception and noting of the report on the Allocation of Seats for 2025/26, the allocation of Committee/Sub-Committee/Group/Panel seats to Political Groups and appointments, the delegation of authority to the Director – Law and Governance for membership amendments, the appointment of all councillors as substitutes to various bodies (with noted training requirements), the exemption of the Chief Officer Appointments Panel and Statutory Officer Disciplinary Panel from political balance provisions, and the agreement of the Calendar of Meetings for 2025/26. The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 10:25 pm.

Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday 14th May, 2025 9.00 pm - 14 May 2025

James Lancaster was present at the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee meeting on May 14th, 2025. No specific statements or actions were recorded for him in the minutes.

During April 2025, Councillor James Lancaster attended both the Planning Committee meeting on April 3rd and the Regulatory Sub Committee meeting on April 22nd. However, the available documentation does not indicate that he spoke or took any specific action at either meeting.

Meetings in April 2025

Regulatory Sub Committee - Tuesday 22nd April, 2025 6.00 pm - 22 April 2025

Councillor James Lancaster was present at the Regulatory Sub Committee meeting on April 22, 2025. However, the minutes do not indicate that he spoke or took any specific action during the meeting.

Planning Committee - Thursday 3rd April, 2025 7.00 pm - 3 April 2025

Councillor James Lancaster was present at the Planning Committee meeting on April 3rd, 2025. However, the available documentation does not indicate that he spoke or took any specific action during the meeting.

During the March 19th, 2025 Council meeting, Deputy Mayor James Lancaster was active in several procedural votes. He seconded a motion to suspend a council procedure rule to address a Liberal Democrat Amendment. He then voted against the McLean Amendment and all Conservative Group Amendments, ultimately voting in favor of the substantive motion.

Meetings in March 2025

Council - Wednesday 19th March, 2025 7.30 pm - 19 March 2025

As Deputy Mayor, James Lancaster seconded the procedural motion to suspend Council Procedure Rule 13.6(a) to address Liberal Democrat Amendment D. He subsequently voted against the McLean Amendment and all Conservative Group Amendments (A through I). Finally, he voted in favour of the substantive motion.

Special, Council - Wednesday 19th March, 2025 7.00 pm - 19 March 2025

Councillor James Lancaster was present at the Council meeting on March 19, 2025. However, the minutes do not record him speaking or taking any specific action during the meeting.

Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 13th March, 2025 7.00 pm - 13 March 2025

Councillor James Lancaster was present at the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee meeting on March 13, 2025. However, the available documentation does not indicate that he spoke or took any specific action during the meeting.

During February 2025, Councillor James Lancaster attended five council meetings. He was present at the Planning Committee meetings on February 6th and February 20th, as well as the Regulatory Committee and Licensing Committee meetings on February 12th, with no specific actions or statements recorded for him in these instances. In the Budget, Council meeting on February 19th, in his capacity as Deputy Mayor, Councillor Lancaster seconded the Mayor's procedural motion to suspend Council Procedure Rule 13.6(a) to address Liberal Democrat Amendment D. He then voted against McLean Amendment and all Conservative Amendments (A through I), ultimately voting in favour of the substantive motion.

Meetings in February 2025

Planning Committee - Thursday 20th February, 2025 7.00 pm - 20 February 2025

Councillor James Lancaster was present at the Planning Committee meeting on Thursday 20th February, 2025, representing Tattenhoe. There is no record of him speaking or taking any specific actions during the meeting.

Budget, Council - Wednesday 19th February, 2025 7.30 pm - 19 February 2025

As Deputy Mayor, Councillor James Lancaster seconded the Mayor's procedural motion to suspend Council Procedure Rule 13.6(a) to address Liberal Democrat Amendment D. He subsequently voted against McLean Amendment and all Conservative Amendments (A through I). Councillor Lancaster voted in favour of the substantive motion.

Licensing Committee - Wednesday 12th February, 2025 6.30 pm - 12 February 2025

James Lancaster was present at the Licensing Committee meeting on February 12th, 2025. There is no record of him making any statements or taking any actions during the meeting.

Regulatory Committee - Wednesday 12th February, 2025 6.51 pm - 12 February 2025

Councillor James Lancaster was present at the Regulatory Committee meeting on 2025-02-12. No specific statements or actions were recorded for him in the minutes.

Planning Committee - Thursday 6th February, 2025 7.00 pm - 6 February 2025

James Lancaster was present at the Planning Committee meeting on February 6th, 2025. There is no record of him making any statements or taking any actions during the meeting.

During January 2025, Councillor James Lancaster was present at the Council meeting on January 22nd. There is no record of him speaking or taking any specific actions during this meeting.

Meetings in January 2025

Council - Wednesday 22nd January, 2025 7.30 pm - 22 January 2025

Councillor James Lancaster was present at the Council meeting on January 22nd, 2025. There is no record of him speaking or taking any action during the meeting.

Throughout 2024, James Lancaster was a consistently active participant in council proceedings, notably serving as Deputy Mayor of Milton Keynes for the 2024/25 Council Year. His activities spanned multiple committees, including Licensing, Regulatory, Planning, and Children and Young People Scrutiny. A key theme in his contributions was a focus on transparency and ensuring due diligence, as demonstrated by his repeated questioning of Councillor Verma regarding campaign leaflets and community engagement activities. He also played a procedural role in council meetings, including proposing changes during a budget meeting following a power outage and seconding important motions. Lancaster emphasized the importance of individual assessment for applications and expressed concerns about the sufficiency of data presented for viability assessments in planning matters. His involvement in the Budget meeting highlighted his role in managing council finances and responding to exceptional circumstances.

Monthly Activity in 2024

During December 2024, Councillor James Lancaster attended the Regulatory Committee meeting on December 11th. His attendance was initially noted as an apology in one document but later confirmed as present in a subsequent record. No specific statements or actions were attributed to him during this meeting.

Meetings in December 2024

Regulatory Committee - Wednesday 11th December, 2024 6.40 pm - 11 December 2024

Councillor James Lancaster was noted as being in attendance at the Regulatory Committee meeting on December 11th, 2024. While one document initially listed his attendance as an apology, a subsequent record confirmed his presence. No specific statements or actions were recorded for Councillor Lancaster during the meeting.

During October 2024, James Lancaster served as a member of the Licensing Sub-Committee for the meeting held on October 14th. No specific statements or actions were recorded for him in the provided public reports.

Meetings in October 2024

Licensing Sub Committee - Monday 14th October, 2024 6.15 pm - 14 October 2024

James Lancaster was a member of the Licensing Sub-Committee for the meeting on 2024-10-14. No specific statements or actions were recorded for him in the provided documents.

Licensing Sub Committee - Monday 14th October, 2024 7.56 pm - 14 October 2024

James Lancaster was a member of the Licensing Sub-Committee for the meeting on Monday 14th October, 2024. No specific statements or actions were recorded for him in the provided public reports pack.

During September 2024, James Lancaster was noted as an apology for a meeting on February 8, 2024, and was present at a meeting on May 15, 2024. No specific statements or actions were recorded for him during the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee meeting on September 11, 2024.

Meetings in September 2024

Licensing Committee - Wednesday 25th September, 2024 7.30 pm - 25 September 2024

James Lancaster was present at the Licensing Committee meeting held on Wednesday 25th September, 2024. However, there is no indication in the provided documents that he spoke or took any specific actions during the meeting.

Regulatory Committee - Wednesday 25th September, 2024 7.56 pm - 25 September 2024

Councillor James Lancaster was present at the Regulatory Committee meeting on September 25, 2024. He is a member of the Regulatory Committee. Records indicate he was also present at a previous meeting on May 15, 2024, where Councillor Priestley was appointed Chair, and Councillors McLean and Trendall were appointed Vice-Chairs of the Regulatory Committee for the Council Year 2024/25.

ADJOURNED, Council - Wednesday 18th September, 2024 7.30 pm - 18 September 2024

Councillor James Lancaster was present at the Council meeting on September 18, 2024. However, the available documentation does not indicate that he spoke or took any specific action during the meeting.

Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday 11th September, 2024 7.00 pm - 11 September 2024

James Lancaster was listed as an apology for the meeting held on 8 February 2024 and was present at the meeting held on 15 May 2024. No specific statements or actions were recorded for him in the provided documents for the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee meeting on 2024-09-11.

During the July 18th Planning Committee meeting, Councillor James Lancaster emphasized the need to assess applications on an individual basis. He also expressed that the figures presented were not sufficient to demonstrate the viability of applications.

Meetings in July 2024

Planning Committee - Thursday 18th July, 2024 7.00 pm - 18 July 2024

Councillor James Lancaster stated that applications should be assessed individually and suggested that the provided figures were insufficient to demonstrate viability.

During June 2024, Councillor James Lancaster was actively involved in council proceedings. In a Planning Committee meeting on June 6th, he inquired about the timing of an objector's written representation and clarification questions. Later, at the Council meeting on June 19th, Councillor Lancaster achieved a significant appointment as the Deputy Mayor of Milton Keynes City for the 2024/25 Council Year. He also played a role in seconding motions related to the Returning Officer's report from the May elections and the Calendar of Meetings for 2024/25. Furthermore, he was appointed to several key committees: the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee, the Licensing Committee, the Planning Committee, and the Regulatory Committee.

Meetings in June 2024

Council - Wednesday 19th June, 2024 7.30 pm - 19 June 2024

Councillor James Lancaster was appointed Deputy Mayor of Milton Keynes City for the Council Year 2024/25. He also served as the seconder for the motion to receive the report of the Returning Officer following the Elections held on 2 May 2024, and for the motion regarding the Calendar of Meetings for 2024/25. Additionally, Councillor Lancaster was appointed to the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee, the Licensing Committee, the Planning Committee, and the Regulatory Committee.

Planning Committee - Thursday 6th June, 2024 7.00 pm - 6 June 2024

Councillor James Lancaster inquired about the timing of an additional written representation and clarification questions from an objector. The Senior Governance Officer informed him that the representation was received at 11:23 on Wednesday, June 5th, and the clarification questions were received at 18:07 on the same day.

During May 2024, Councillor James Lancaster was appointed Deputy Mayor of Milton Keynes for the 2024/25 Council year. He also served in this capacity by seconding motions for the Returning Officer's Report and the Calendar of Meetings. Councillor Lancaster was appointed to several committees: Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee, Licensing Committee, Planning Committee, and Regulatory Committee. He actively participated in discussions, asking Councillor Verma questions about a Conservative campaign leaflet, the age of a photo used for a community litter pick, and the date of Councillor Verma's last involvement in a litter pick to ensure transparency. Additionally, Councillor Lancaster spoke on the motion concerning Play Area Improvements Across Milton Keynes.

Meetings in May 2024

Annual, Council - Wednesday 15th May, 2024 7.30 pm - 15 May 2024

Councillor James Lancaster was appointed Deputy Mayor of Milton Keynes for the Council year 2024/25. He also served as the Deputy Mayor who seconded the motion for the Returning Officer's Report (CL7) and the motion for the Calendar of Meetings (CL12). Additionally, he was appointed to the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee, Licensing Committee, Planning Committee, and Regulatory Committee. Earlier in the meeting, Councillor Lancaster asked Councillor Verma a question regarding a Conservative campaign leaflet and the age of a photo used for a community litter pick, inquiring about the use of potentially outdated data. He also asked for the date of Councillor Verma's last involvement in a litter pick for transparency. Furthermore, Councillor Lancaster spoke on Motion 2 concerning Play Area Improvements Across Milton Keynes.

Licensing Committee - Wednesday 15th May, 2024 9.00 pm - 15 May 2024

James Lancaster was present at the Licensing Committee meeting on May 15, 2024. However, the minutes do not record him as saying or doing anything during the meeting.

Regulatory Committee - Wednesday 15th May, 2024 9.00 pm - 15 May 2024

James Lancaster was present at the Regulatory Committee meeting on May 15th, 2024. However, the provided minutes do not record him as speaking or taking any specific actions during the meeting.

Planning Committee - Wednesday 15th May, 2024 9.00 pm - 15 May 2024

James Lancaster was present at the Planning Committee meeting on May 15th, 2024. However, the minutes do not record any specific statements or actions made by him during the meeting.

Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday 15th May, 2024 9.00 pm - 15 May 2024

James Lancaster was present at the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee meeting on May 15, 2024. However, the minutes do not record any specific actions or statements made by him during the meeting.

During March 2024, Councillor James Lancaster was present at the Budget & Resources Scrutiny Committee meeting on March 12th, with no specific actions recorded. On March 13th, at the Council meeting, he voted in favor of the Council Budget 2024/25 and MTFP 2024/25 to 2027/28. He also raised questions regarding a Conservative campaign leaflet, specifically asking Councillor Verma about the age of a photo used and the last litter pick Councillor Verma participated in, emphasizing transparency. Councillor Lancaster was present at the Corporate Parenting Panel meeting on March 26th but sent apologies and did not participate in discussions.

Meetings in March 2024

Corporate Parenting Panel - Tuesday 26th March, 2024 6.30 pm - 26 March 2024

Councillor James Lancaster was noted as being present at the Corporate Parenting Panel meeting on March 26th, 2024. However, he sent apologies and did not participate in any discussions or actions during this meeting. He was also noted as being in attendance at the December 6th, 2023 Corporate Parenting Panel meeting, where he also sent apologies and did not participate.

Council - Wednesday 13th March, 2024 7.30 pm - 13 March 2024

During the Council meeting on March 13th, 2024, Councillor James Lancaster voted in favour of the Substantive Motion concerning the Council Budget 2024/25 and MTFP 2024/25 to 2027/28. He also questioned Councillor Verma regarding a Conservative campaign leaflet distributed in the Tattenhoe Ward, asking if the photo used for the community litter pick was at least four years old and what Councillor Verma would say to a resident scrutinising four-year-old data. Councillor Lancaster further inquired about the last litter pick Councillor Verma was involved in, for transparency.

Budget & Resources Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 12th March, 2024 7.00 pm - 12 March 2024

Councillor James Lancaster was present at the Budget & Resources Scrutiny Committee meeting on March 12th, 2024. No specific statements or actions were recorded for him in the provided minutes or report pack.

During February 2024, James Lancaster attended the Licensing Committee and the Regulatory Committee meetings on February 7th, with no specific actions or statements recorded for him in either. As Mayor, he played a more active role in the Budget, Council meeting on February 21st. At the start of this meeting, he made several announcements regarding the 'pre-election period,' the Olney Pancake Race, and the passing of the Rt Rev Dr Alan Wilson. Following a power outage that led to an adjournment, Mayor Lancaster proposed a procedural change upon the meeting's resumption, suggesting that amendments and the substantive motion be voted on without further discussion due to the exceptional circumstances. He then declared the Conservative Group amendments and Councillor D Hopkins' amendment lost, and subsequently declared the substantive motion carried after a recorded vote.

Meetings in February 2024

Budget, Council - Wednesday 21st February, 2024 7.30 pm - 21 February 2024

As Mayor, James Lancaster made several announcements at the start of the meeting, including information about the 'pre-election period', the Olney Pancake Race, and the passing of the Rt Rev Dr Alan Wilson, Bishop of Buckingham. The meeting was adjourned due to a power outage. Upon its resumption, Mayor Lancaster proposed a departure from standard procedure, suggesting that amendments and the substantive motion be voted on without further discussion due to the exceptional circumstances. He subsequently declared the Conservative Group amendments and Councillor D Hopkins' amendment lost, and then declared the substantive motion carried following a recorded vote.

Licensing Committee - Wednesday 7th February, 2024 6.30 pm - 7 February 2024

James Lancaster was a member of the Licensing Committee for the meeting on February 7th, 2024. No specific statements or actions were recorded for him in the provided documents.

Regulatory Committee - Wednesday 7th February, 2024 6.55 pm - 7 February 2024

Councillor James Lancaster was present at the Regulatory Committee meeting on 7th February 2024. No specific statements or actions were recorded for him in the provided minutes or report pack.