Chief Executive, Laurence Rockey
With the clocks changing last weekend we’re now firmly in spring, a time of growth and change.
These are two themes that we are all familiar with. As an organisation, we’re accustomed to change and our need to adapt to respond to different requirements on us. Population growth, the financial environment and changes in technology and working practices have transformed, and continue to impact, how we work and the services we deliver. While change can bring challenges, it can bring significant opportunities that we can grasp to make things better for our council and the communities that we serve.
Right now, our council has a leading role to play in a number of major opportunities that will shape East Lothian’s future.
Our planning colleagues are currently preparing our draft LDP2 (Local Development Plan), an enormous piece of work that will be our benchmark for planning decisions for years to come. It allows us to identify where we want development to happen and where it’s not appropriate, covering housing as well as infrastructure and economic development.
Our future ambitions for Blindwells have taken a significant step forward with the Scottish Government’s approval of the Strategic Outline Business case, and UK Government also expressing its support. The business case aims to realise the full potential of the project and to ensure it can be delivered in a properly planned, funded and managed way. There needs to be a strong focusing on partnership working and financial innovation to ensure the right infrastructure and investment is achieved to deliver high quality outcomes.
Great progress is also being made at the former Cockenzie Power Station site to prepare parcels of land that are ready for economic development, with a new link road due to open this year. As part of the vision to create skilled jobs we’re also looking at a potential skills academy at Cockenzie focused on the tech and green skills that will be in high demand from future industry.
Meanwhile we continue with our work to realise our ambition of a new Brunton Theatre for Musselburgh, regenerating this much-loved space in the heart of the town.
Of course, as we look to the future it’s always worth reflecting on the past, which is what I did last Friday when I joined Musselburgh Grammar School’s march to mark its 400th anniversary. It’s incredible to think of the rich heritage that exists within the school and the generations who have gone before. I was honoured to take part in the celebrations.
Wishing you a Happy Easter when it comes.