It was envisaged through the Local Government Act 1972 that Milton Keynes as a non-metropolitan district council would share power with the then Buckinghamshire County Council (since replaced by Buckinghamshire Council, another unitary authority).
Under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972, it was intended that Milton Keynes, serving as a non-metropolitan district council, would co-govern with the previous Buckinghamshire County Council (which has been succeeded by Buckinghamshire Council, an independent authority).