Exclusive: staff discount on Brunton panto tickets

The Brunton team is offering an exclusive discount for council colleagues for The Wizard of Oz at the Corn Exchange, Haddington.

Join Dorothy and a whole host of familiar faces on a whirlwind journey bursting with chart-topping pop hits, shout-out loud silliness and plenty of local laughs. Expect flying monkeys, fabulous frocks and more sparkle than a Tin Man's tin foil hat!

With festive fun, hilarious characters and heart-warming moments, this much-loved story gets the full-on panto makeover - with a few surprise twists along the way. 

Enjoy 20% off full price tickets at Corn Exchange, Haddington on these dates: Wednesday 10 December, Thursday 11 December and Friday 12 December at 7pm only.

Book online at https://www.thebrunton.co.uk/whats-on/the-wizard-of-oz-pantomime/ and use promo code TinMan.

Discount is subject to ticket availability

East Lothian Works initiative helps one mum back into employment

An East Lothian Works team is supporting local parents back into paid employment with a scheme that offers employers funding for new roles. 

The Parental Employer Recruitment Incentive (PERI) offers funding to businesses for roles that will support parents back into work. Since starting in 2023, the initiative has awarded funding to 18 local businesses to help create 21 sustainable job opportunities for parents who faced barriers to employment. Employees will also receive dedicated in-work support from East Lothian Works’ dedicated Parental Employability Support Team. 

Success

Haddington-based mum Jemma Fairbairn (pictured) has moved into paid work thanks to the scheme and Karele, a small family-run equine charity who received PERI funding to employ her. 

Jemma had been volunteering with the charity while caring for her son, who has additional support needs. She has now been able to continue her passion for working with horses while gaining financial independence. She said: “This opportunity means the world to me. It’s not just a job, it’s a chance to grow, contribute and support my family doing something I love.” 

Employers in East Lothian can apply for up to £6,000 in funding through PERI to support newly-created roles for eligible parents, with applications open until March 2026. The programme is part of the Scottish Government’s Tackling Child Poverty Fund, which has enabled flexible employment opportunities across sectors including administration, animal care, hospitality, cosmetics, events management, gardening, electrical and childcare. 

Read the full story on our website. 

Surviving the office Christmas party

It’s that time of year when our thoughts turn to Christmas planning, gift buying, and nights out with family, friends, and colleagues. Many of us will also be preparing for a work night out with colleagues whether it’s a small social gathering in the pub after work or a full-blown Christmas party night.

Whichever event is planned, please make sure you stay safe. 

Being respectful is important when celebrating in our communities or with our colleagues; others may perceive that you are representing East Lothian Council.

Offensive, discriminatory, sexually harassing or violent behaviour by employees on a work night out could result in action being taken at work and in line with our Disciplinary Code and Procedures – so it’s important to keep this in mind to make sure everyone has a pleasant evening.

HR now operates a sexual harassment support line for colleagues: 01620 827200.

---

Crimestoppers has provided the following guidance to help you have a great time whilst out and about with family, friends and colleagues:

1. Safety in numbers Always stay within a group when possible. By remaining close to the people you trust and know well, you’ll reduce the risk of being targeted by people who are up to no good and could be out to take advantage

2. Get taxis or arrange a lift When travelling at night, always book a taxi or get a lift with someone you trust to get home safely. If traveling by bus, it’s best to sit on the lower deck as this is closer to the exit and within sight of the bus driver should there be a problem

3. Always book your taxi When you book a licensed mini-cab or taxi, you know it is reputable and reliable. Black cabs are the only type of private hire that you can hail on the street, unlike all other cabs which must be pre-booked via phone or app. Don’t be tempted to get into an unlicensed cab for a quicker ride home. The risks, especially to unaccompanied women, are far too high 

4. Drink in moderation & watch your drink Always stay in control when drinking alcohol. Know your limits and never push them. Alcohol lowers inhibitions and can lead you to make unsafe decisions. Keep a close eye on your drinks and never leave them unattended at any point. Having your drink spiked – perhaps whilst you momentarily turn your back – could ruin your night and maybe your life. Also, watch out for strangers offering you their vape. Vapes, like drinks, can be spiked

5. Stay in well-lit areas If walking home after a night out, always stay in well-lit areas where there are plenty of people. People are less likely to commit crime where there’s good lighting, CCTV, and people around to see what is happening. Always plan a route home and make sure you stick to places you know. Never take short cuts, especially down dark alleys, by canals, or through unlit parks

6. Keep valuables hidden Don’t advertise your mobile phone to people on the street – keep it hidden. People will often have valuables stolen on a night out and if they’re drunk, you are an easier target. Keep all valuables like phones, wallets, and purses in zipped pockets or bags. Ideally, leave valuables such as jewellery at home, but if you must take them out with you then keep them safely hidden

7. Keep away from hostile situations Don’t be a hero on a night out. If there is a fight or an argument, stay out of it and get help from bouncers or the police

If you see anything suspicious on any night out, you can contact Crimestoppers 100% anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or by through their anonymous online form. 

Whatever event you and your colleagues have planned, please be safe, courteous, and enjoy your evening. 

HR team

Protect East Lothian from terrorism this winter

We’re supporting Counter Terrorism Policing’s campaign, which aims to encourage everyone to stay alert and help keep each other safe this winter.

Together, we want everyone to trust their instincts and report anything that doesn’t feel right. And this includes all of you.

You can play a vital role. You know your surroundings better than anyone else and you know if something isn’t right. This doesn’t just apply to work but on your commute and where you live too.

Let’s look out for each other by:

• Staying alert and trusting your instincts 
• If you see or hear something that doesn’t feel right at work speak to your manager or another manager, or call Police on 101. In an emergency call 999
• Complete the free Protect UK: ACT Awareness e-learning module from the Safe Working category of LearnPro

Let’s keep each other safe this winter.

East Lothian now third best in Scotland for recycling rates

Recycling rates in East Lothian are the third highest in Scotland among its local authorities, a new report released by SEPA has shown.

Our area recycled 55.3% of its waste between January and December 2024, a rise on the figure of 53.1% recorded during the previous year.

Among the country’s 32 council areas, only Moray at 56.7% and Clackmannanshire with 57.2% had better recycling rates.

The county’s performance has seen East Lothian move up from sixth place last year to third, according to the study produced by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency.

The improvement came as we moved to a three-weekly general waste collection introduced last April.

Across the whole of Scotland, the average household waste recycling rate was 44.3%.

As well as the 2.2% increase in recycling rates, SEPA found East Lothian generated less waste overall and sent a lower amount of waste to landfill.

For the full report, visit the SEPA website at  https://data.gov.scot/sepa/waste/household.html

Young fundraisers shine for Children in Need

Jamie Voy, Ormiston Primary Schools Senior Facilities Assistant wrote to Inform praising four pupils from his school who have raised an impressive £365 in support of Children in Need.

Meredith Malone, Rhea Smith, Eve Cunningham and Evie Byrne spent Friday 14 November selling homemade key charms and bracelets from a stall outside the Ormiston Co-op.

Their eye-catching 'Pudsey' stall was built by one of the girls fathers, but of course decorated by the girls themselves.

For two hours, the youngsters welcomed passers-by and shoppers who proved to be “very generous” in their support. After their successful fundraising effort, the girls headed home to watch the charity’s appeal show that evening.

Works to improve Wallyford roundabout

Works are under way at a busy roundabout to make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to travel between Prestonpans, Wallyford, Musselburgh and Tranent.

Wallyford Toll roundabout will be made more accessible for active travel while also improving traffic flows under the project being delivered by our council.

Construction started last month and is mainly scheduled to take place at night, minimising disruption with completion expected by the end of March. Temporary traffic lights will be in operation at various points during the works, but this will be limited to overnight as far as possible, and the site will be cleared for a two-week break over the Christmas period.

The installation of three toucan crossings will allow both pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road at the same time to create additional opportunities to negotiate the arms of the roundabout.

Widened pavements and cycle paths will also allow people to walk, wheel and cycle safely around the road network.

The space for traffic will be narrowed while ensuring buses and large lorries can still navigate the interchange.

Transport Scotland are providing over £1.15 million to fully fund the redesign.

In the longer-term, the changes at Wallyford Toll would link in with a separate council scheme aimed at further boosting active travel opportunities which is proposed to connect into the roundabout. Under the Musselburgh Active Toun (MAT) project, a segregated cycleway on the A199 Haddington Road connecting Wallyford Toll to Musselburgh has been put forward.

Christmas 2025 - last posting dates for UK and international services

Royal Mail Customer Services has confirmed the last posting dates for Christmas

Last posting dates for inland services

Date	Service
Wednesday, 17 December	2nd Class 2nd Class Signed For
Friday, 19 December	Royal Mail Tracked 48®*
Saturday, 20 December	1st Class 1st Class Signed For
Sunday, 21 December	Royal Mail Tracked 24®
Tuesday, 23 December	Special Delivery Guaranteed®

*Friday, 19 December is the latest posting date for Royal Mail Tracked Returns® 48 to arrive back with the sender before Christmas.

International delivery

You can find a list of Royal Mail's published delivery aims in its Country Sending Guide. If you are sending gifts or goods to the USA, please note, that recent changes to customs procedures may affect delivery times. For more details about these changes and how they may affect items you send to the USA, visit the dedicated web page.

To see all the last posting dates please visit Royal Mail's Get ready for Christmas page.

Planning Committee agrees plans for roundabout upgrade at Craighall

At a meeting of East Lothian Planning Committee on Tuesday 2 December, members agreed to plans for the reconfiguration of a roundabout providing access to new homes at Craighall and coastal erosion prevention measures at West Links, North Berwick. 

Persimmon Homes East Scotland applied to vary a condition of their planning consent for 370 houses and 103 flats at Craighall, which was granted in October 2019. Many of the homes are now completed and occupied. The condition stated that an upgrade to the roundabout linking the development to the A1 access road and Craighall services be completed before the 301st home was occupied. Following discussions between Persimmon and the council it was proposed, as the engineering work was complex, that the roundabout upgrade should be completed before the 381st home was occupied. 

Following a debate, committee members voted eight votes to one to approve planners’ recommendation to approve the change and allow 380 homes to be occupied before the roundabout works must be completed. Seven written objections had been received mainly stating concerns about the existing road junction. 

Committee members voted unanimously to approve plans for coastal reinforcement and protection works including dune reinstatement at West Links Golf Course, Abbotsford Road, North Berwick. No objections had been received to the plans. 

The relevant application numbers are: Craighall, 25/00481/PM and 15/00337/PM and North Berwick,  25/00661/PM.