Chief Executive Monica Patterson
I would like to take this opportunity to wish colleagues a very happy new year and to wish you all the very best for 2025.
Festive period
The festive period often provides an opportunity for some rest and to re-charge the batteries and I do hope you managed to have an enjoyable and relaxing break.
It is important to recognise that many people will have been working or on call across Christmas and New year, continuing to provide key frontline services and caring for vulnerable people in our communities which forms a key part of the critical services we provide as a council.
More recently there have been some weather warnings issued by the Met Office and so our teams have worked hard to keep local roads and streets safe. Sincere thanks to all colleagues, in a variety of roles, for your support.
In December, I had the opportunity to attend a ‘topping out’ ceremony to mark the completion of the roof and structure of the Edinburgh Hub. This is a joint venture between the council and Queen Margaret University (QMU) and will be a nationally significant centre for innovation driven business growth and to create new high value employment. We are very pleased to be involved in this joint venture, supported by the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, which will create a sought-after location for business growth and will attract high value jobs for East Lothian and the surrounding area. It is expected to be completed this year.
Last week, I was delighted to join colleagues and Depute Provost Andy Forrest in congratulating Margaret Ramsay on reaching the milestone of 50 years of service with the council. Margaret’s continuing dedication and commitment to local government in East Lothian is very impressive and it was really interesting and so insightful to hear her reflections. Thank you and well done, Margaret!
Immediate priorities
This is likely to be the second last message I publish in Inform before retiring next month. I am looking forward to meeting with as many colleagues and partners as possible in the coming weeks and to thank people for the support I’ve received since joining East Lothian Council in 2010. I will say a bit more in the February edition about my happy memories and reflections on working with East Lothian Council.
In the meantime, it is a very busy period. A key priority at the start of every calendar year is supporting elected members with the budget development process. A full Council meeting is due to be held in February when members will meet to make key budget decisions, including the setting of council tax and rent levels, for the year ahead. We are all acutely aware of the financial challenges facing the council and local government more broadly and so our immediate focus is on supporting elected members with the setting of a balanced budget for 2025/26 and beyond.
Building on achievements
In my message just before Christmas, I mentioned the many achievements by employees and teams across the council in the previous 12 months.
I have every confidence that, whilst the coming year will signal another time of change and challenge across the council, we will build on these achievements by continuing to adapt and innovate.
Throughout 2025, Inform will continue to feature a range of interesting articles including stories about our employees and their successes, as well as information on events and things that are happening around the council. These stories will highlight the value of the council and our Enabling, Leading and Caring values. We will also highlight opportunities for colleagues to participate in learning and development and initiatives to support wellbeing.
I know that, if there is anything you would like to see covered in future editions or if you have a story to share, the Communications team would be very pleased to hear from you. Please send any ideas or suggestions to inform@eastlothian.gov.uk
Monica