Elected members have approved our budget for 2026/27, with a focus on creating opportunities for young people, supporting vulnerable residents and continuing to invest in local infrastructure.

Significant cost pressures

The administration/cross party budget, which was approved by a majority vote at today’s full Council meeting, has been developed in the face of an increasingly difficult financial climate for local government.

Our council is experiencing significant cost pressures including increasing service demand, with East Lothian having one of Scotland’s fastest growing population rates.

Despite these challenges, the agreed budget enables us to continue investing in significant priority areas such as adult social care, children’s services and education.

New capital and revenue investment

A 7.5 per cent council tax increase for 2026/27 was agreed. For people living in a Band D property, this represents a £2.28 weekly increase.

Councillors also agreed:

• new revenue and capital investment to increase capacity for holiday clubs for children with disabilities, youth work and roads winter maintenance
• a commitment to invest over £233 million in infrastructure over the next five years including the education estate
• an increase of £3.3 million to the Integrated Joint Board (IJB), which is responsible for the planning and delivery of adult health and social care services
• an additional £900,000 for council home modernisation
• an increase in the roads capital budget of £1 million, including enhancements to winter maintenance
• planned savings of £13.2 million over the next five years, with a commitment to identify further measures to close the budget gap over the medium term

We will also continue investing in local infrastructure and schools through our capital programme, whilst helping to support and protect the local environment.

Find out more.