News
Advertising of vacancies – Christmas schedule
Recruiting managers wishing to advertise vacancies before Christmas MUST ensure Recruitment Authorisation Request Forms (RARFs) are with the recruitment team no later than 5:00pm on Tuesday 3 December.
The last MyJobScotland publishing date will be Friday 13 December.
Vacancies advertised on this date will remain open over the Christmas period, closing on 5 January.
RARFs submitted after 3 December will not be advertised until Friday 10 January.
The full vacancy advertising schedule can be downloaded on the intranet. Search for 'advertising deadlines'.
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.
Prevention of sexual harassment - everyone's responsibility
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.
Human Resources
Prevention of sexual harassment – everyone’s responsibility
The law has changed and from 26 October 2024 all employers have a duty to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace by employees and workers as well as in relation to sexual harassment by third parties to employees, such as service users, clients, and members of the public.
What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment can be verbal, non-verbal, or physical and happens when someone is subjected to unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that has the purpose or effect of either violating their dignity, or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. It also happens if employees are treated less favourably because they submitted to, or rejected, that unwanted conduct.
What does this mean for me as an employee?
Any employee who sexually harasses someone at work, whether someone of the same or a different sex, be that a colleague or third party such as clients, service users and members of the public, is responsible for their own actions, whether sexual harassment was intended or not.
We all have a responsibility to behave professionally and to call out inappropriate behaviour. Anyone experiencing or observing sexual harassment, should speak with their line manager or Human Resources Adviser in the first instance.
What does this mean for me as a manager or supervisor
All managers are responsible for taking proactive action to prevent sexual harassment occurring at work. This includes taking a zero-tolerance approach to inappropriate behaviour, by employees or third parties and acting immediately where complaints of sexual harassment are made. Your Human Resources Adviser can provide further information and support as required.
Communications and training
Further communications will take place over the coming weeks. A key priority is to ensure all employees undertake the new Prevention of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace training module.
Meantime, if you have any queries, please speak with your line manager or contact your Human Resources Adviser
Carers Rights Day: recognising your rights
Thursday 21 November was Carers Rights Day. The theme for 2024 was 'recognising your rights' to help empower carers.
A carer is someone (of any age) who provides support to a family member, friend or neighbour who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, addiction or who needs extra help to carry out daily activities as they grow older. Unpaid carers aren’t volunteers or someone who is employed to provide support. These responsibilities develop out of existing loving relationships.
Many unpaid carers don’t see themselves as carers. As such are often unaware of their legal rights and what they’re entitled to in terms of support and benefits.
Facts and figures
- every day 12,000 people across the UK become unpaid carers for a family member or friend
- 3 in 5 carers in Scotland census were working age
- you could already be providing unpaid care or you could become a carer at any time
- the support unpaid carers provide is invaluable to individuals and to society
- the value of unpaid care in Scotland is estimated to be £13.1 billion per year
- research by Carers Scotland found that the poverty rate for carers is 56% higher than for those without caring responsibilities
- approximately 3% of carers currently access short breaks through an assessed route
- the Scottish Health and Care Experience survey reveal that 2% of unpaid carers receive personal support to enable them to have breaks from caring
Recognising Carers Rights
This year’s theme, ‘recognising your rights’, aims to help carers recognise and understand their rights and to access the support available to them when they need it.
Knowing your rights as a carer can give you confidence to ask for what you need and challenge when your needs are not being met, whether in relation to health and social care, being recognised by other professionals, being meaningfully involved in your support or that of the person you care for, education, or in the workplace.
What rights do carers have?
Carers have the right to:
Access a local advice and information service
Your local advice and information service for adults is Carers of East Lothian, based at the community hospital in Haddington. Young carers (under the age of 18) can get advice and information from East Lothian Council's Young Carers service.
Request an Adult Carer Support Plan (ACSP)
Adult Carer Support Plans are usually completed with support from Carers of East Lothian who will help you think about the impact of caring, what really matters to you and what support you could have in place that would make a difference to your individual situation.
Request a Young Carer Statement (YCS)
Young Carers Statements are completed with support from our Young Carers Service. Similar to the Adult Support Plan, they identify ways young carers can be supported in their daily lives to help with their caring responsibilities. Young Carers can register with the Council service by completing a brief questionnaire on the website: eastlothian.gov.uk/young-carers
Access support if they have eligible needs
Your adult carer support plan might identify needs that cannot be met by universal supports, if this is the case you can share your assessment with ELHSCP and access funded supports if you meet local eligibility criteria, see your local carers eligibility criteria here
Be consulted on services for them or the person they’re caring for
You should have the chance to have your say on your own support or the support for the person you care for, you should be treated as an ‘equal partner in care’.
Be included in hospital discharge planning for the person they are caring for
If the person you care for is admitted to hospital you should be identified as early as possible and included in the discharge planning for the person you care for. Carer of East Lothian work closely with ELCH to support carers of people in hospital.
- up to five days unpaid leave to better balance work with caring responsibilities
- the Carers Leave Act came into effect in 2024. This law enables carers to gain access to specific employment rights regarding taking time off work. Employees who are carers are able to take up to five days unpaid leave to better balance work with caring responsibilities. This can be taken flexibly, in small amounts to attend appointments for example, or in half days, full days, or a whole block of five days. Speak to your employer about how they can support you at work
Unpaid carers across Scotland granted new employment rights as groundbreaking Carer’s Leave Act comes into force. | Carers UK
Find out more about support for carers and Carers Week at Carers UK website.
Remembrance Day 2024
All employees are invited to join in Remembrance Day commemorations on Monday 11 November with a two minute silence at 11am. Remembrance Day, which takes place annually, recognises the signing of the Armistice that marked the end of World War One and offers an opportunity to reflect on those whose lives have been, and continue to be, touched by war.
If you are hosting an event or meeting during this time, please bear in mind that attendees may wish to participate. If appropriate to the nature of your meeting, you may pause the meeting to participate in the two minute’s silence at 11am.
Staff who are members of the Armed Forces Community can additionally choose to wear their military insignia that day as appropriate to their role to raise awareness of the moment in time, but also to enable wider conversation amongst staff about the Armed Forces and service.
East Lothian Provost and the council’s Armed Forces Champion Councillor John McMillan is holding an informal reception for employees who are members of the Armed Forces community to meet and observe the silence together. If you or a colleague has service experience, including as a reservist or veteran, please email armedforcesemployeenetwork@eastlothian.gov.uk for further information.
In real life
We can't rewind
We can't fast forward
But we can pause
Breathe
Reflect
Imagine never knowing what to expect,
Or when you'll next see your relatives again.
Imagine feeling uprooted, uncertain, unstable,
Longing to sit with your loved ones at the dinner table
No promise of a return to normal
Imagine these fears lasting for years
This is life
For those on the frontline
Not just back then. It's happening today.
Their sacrifices help to keep us all safe
So that's why we pause. And say...
Thank you.
This November
We'll stand together
Like we do every year.
A chorus of thunderous silence
Two minutes to remind us
Of those who look fear in the eye
And say
No. I choose hope
A soft song that grows
Listen carefully,
Can you hear it inside your home?
A quiet belief in something better
It brings us together
It lives in the hearts of those who serve
On testing sites
And posts overseas
In every message and picture sent to families
The hope for a better future
Let's take just two minutes to pause,
And remember.
Mountain bikes and guitar donations needed
East Lothian Council Throughcare and Aftercare Team is seeking donations of adult size mountain bikes and guitars.
The bikes will help young people travel to and from work and college, visit friends, get to football practice and improve their fitness. Lights and pumps and bike locks are also really appreciated If you have an unused guitar you would like to donate, the team will pass it on to one of their young people. You may be instrumental in creating the next Mercury Music Award winner!
The team provide support to young people aged 16 to 26 who have been in foster care or residential care or who have arrived unaccompanied in Scotland and require support.
Workers support young people across East Lothian and other regions. The team uses a local bike mechanic to check over donated bikes and fit new parts where necessary.
Please contact : UASC (Unaccompanied and Asylum Seeking Children’s) Throughcare and Aftercare Worker Annie Landsburgh alandsburgh@eastlothian.gov.uk 07929838038 (Monday – Thursday)
Annie will then be able to arrange collection. Many thanks!
Armed Forces Employee Network
As part of the council’s Armed Forces Covenant work, an Armed Forces Covenant Employee Network group is being formed which will be led by employees who are members of the Armed Forces Community. Contacts for the emerging group are:
- Brian Cunningham – HR, Ex RN and a Listening Ear
- Holly Macdonald – Protective Services
- Sheila Fitzpatrick – Council Resources
- Phil Hope – HR, Ex Army
The Council’s AFC Employee Network look to engage with those employees who are members of the Armed Forces Community to provide mutual support, advice, and information. The network is looking to arrange events on occasions such Remembrance Day and Armed Forces Day where the Armed Forces Community can meet up.
If you are interested in participating in this developing AFC Employee Network, please email the dedicated inbox (armedforcesemployeenetwork@eastlothian,gov.uk), providing your name and contact details, ideally your phone/mobile number and an e-mail address that you are happy to be contacted on. Your details will be held securely by the group and only used for the purposes of contacting you about the AFC Employee Network.
Schools serve up healthy Halloween menu
In East Lothian, the primary school catering teams enjoy transforming lunchtime into memorable experiences for children going above and beyond to ensure that every meal is not only nutritious but also exciting and enjoyable.
The catering teams at Campie, Windygoul, Ormiston, and St. Martins primary schools pulled out all the stops to create a healthy Halloween lunchtime experience. Themed decorations adorned the dining areas, and the menus featured spooky yet nutritious options.
Parents and teachers have praised the catering teams for their dedication and creativity. By making lunchtimes special, they are fostering a positive relationship between children and healthy eating, which can have lasting benefits.
Windygoul Primary School
Ormiston Primary School
Campie Primary School
Planning Committee approves electricity substation near Dunbar
Planning Committee met on Tuesday 5 November and granted consent for an SP Energy Networks electricity substation at Branxton, south of Dunbar.
The proposal also included temporary construction compounds and an access road. A pre application consultation had been carried out by the applicant, which included two public information events.
A total of 62 written representations had been received to the application, including 61 objections. Some of the grounds for objection included that the surrounding area is bearing an unfair proportion of renewable energy developments; loss of amenity through noise, dust and vibration from both construction and operation of the development; light pollution; and construction traffic posing a danger to other road users.
Following a debate, committee members were unanimous in approving the application with additional conditions that the developer liaise with other developers on surrounding sites in a bid to enhance biodiversity interventions and that regular liaison with local residents and the community council take place to minimise any disruption caused by construction traffic on this site and others in the area.
Members also agreed to write to Scottish Ministers for more consideration to be given to the cumulative effect of renewable energy infrastructure in East Lothian.
Two applications from Bellway Homes, one for 103 new homes on land to the north of Castlehill, Elphinstone, and the other for a footpath linking this development to Waterloo Place, were continued to a future Planning Committee meeting. The continuation was proposed by Councillor McGinn and seconded by Councillor Hampshire due to local concerns around difficulties in connecting the existing Bellway development at Castlehill to the local sewer network. There were also concerns about localised flooding and the potential location of the proposed connecting footpath. The continuation would be so that council officers could continue liaising with the developer and other agencies around a solution to the sewer connection problems and other issues.
Committee heard that there was a chance the developer may appeal to the Scottish Government over East Lothian Council’s non-determination of the applications within agreed timescales. Members voted unanimously to delegate the writing of a submission to Scottish Ministers in the event of such an appeal, to the council’s Chief Planning Officer. The motion was proposed by Councillor Hampshire and seconded by Councillor Forrest.
The relevant application numbers are; Branxton, 23/00616/PM and Elphinstone, 24/00699/P and 23/01333/PM.
Festive pay dates
Please note the following early payment dates for December 2024 and January 2025 salaries and wages.
While every effort will be made to ensure payment, employees and managers should ensure that all claim forms are submitted by the dates below. Claims which arrive after these dates cannot be guaranteed for payment given the reduced working days.
Weekly Pay
Pay date 19 December 2024 - 3 weeks normal pay.
To ensure this is an accurate payment all relevant information must be with Payroll Section on or before Tuesday 10 December 2024. Detailed below are the dates by which weekly timesheets must be submitted
| Date of Submission |
Timesheets Required |
Payment Date |
| 10/12/2024 |
Actual hours for week ending 08/12/2024 (+ 2 weeks basic hours no timesheets required) |
19/12/2024 |
| 17/12/2024 |
Actual hours for week ending 15/12/2024 |
09/01/2025 |
| 07/01/2025 |
Actual hours for week ending 22/12/2024 Plus amendments only for w/e 29/12/2024 and 05/01/2025 |
16/01/2025 |
Note – any overtime worked over New Year will be included in your pay on 16/01/2024
4 Weekly Pay
Pay date Thursday 28 November 2024 - Normal payment, no amendment required
Next Pay date due Thursday 26 December 2024 will be paid early on Monday 23 December 2024
To ensure an accurate payment all relevant information must be with Payroll Section on or before Tuesday 10 December 2024
Next pay date 23 January 2025.
Monthly Salary (including Permanent Teachers/Casual and Supply claims)
Pay dates Friday 20 December 2024 and Tuesday 28 January 2025.
To ensure accurate payment all relevant information must be with Payroll Section on or before Monday 2 December 2024 and Monday 6 January 2024 respectively.
Please email payrollforms@eastlothian.gov.uk if you have any queries about these deadlines.
East Lothian Council achieves Living Wage accreditation
East Lothian Council has achieved Living Wage accreditation to reflect its commitment to fair work and reducing in-work poverty for its own staff and contractors it uses. The announcement came during Living Wage Week 2024. 
The Living Wage Foundation offers accreditation to employers who go further than the government minimum wage to ensure that wages reflect the cost of living. The Living Wage rates are calculated by the Resolution Foundation annually based on an analysis of the wage that employees need to earn to afford a decent standard of living. This includes housing, childcare, transport and heating costs. Organisations must pay all directly employed staff the real living wage and make sure that regularly contracted employees receive the rate during the hours they work for the council.
The real Living Wage rose from £12 per hour to £12.60 per hour on 23 October and accredited employers have six months to implement the rate. The council currently pays £12.56 and will implement the real Living Wage by May 2025. In comparison, the hourly national minimum wage is £11.44 (due to rise to £12.21 from 1 April 2025 following last week’s budget announcement).
East Lothian Council Leader Councillor Norman Hampshire said: “Reducing poverty and inequality is a key focus in our council plan. The real living wage reflects the costs for the basics that we all need and deserve. It cannot be right that, in this day and age, people find themselves in work but also in poverty because their wages haven’t kept pace with the cost of living. It aims to tackle this situation by offering a fair wage for fair work.”
As well as committing to pay its own staff and contractors the real Living Wage, it is also using its position as a major purchaser of goods and services to benefit the wider economy. The authority spends approximately £140 million every year on goods, services and works, which represents a substantial opportunity to deliver additional social, environmental and economic benefits to East Lothian through its procurement processes. This includes checking whether accredited suppliers are already an accredited living wage employers of it they would commit to paying the real living wage to their employees during the lifetime of their council contract.
Councillor Hampshire added: “While the real Living Wage undoubtedly benefits council staff who already receive it as a minimum, we are using our position as a major consumer of services in East Lothian to ensure these benefits are felt in other workplaces too. We want contractors or contract workers undertaking roles on council projects or on behalf of the council, including care staff, to also receive the real Living Wage. This will contribute to achieving our vision for an even more prosperous, safe and sustainable East Lothian, with a dynamic and thriving economy that enables our people and communities to flourish.”
Lynn Anderson, Living Wage Scotland Manager said: “We’re delighted that East Lothian Council has become an accredited Living Wage employer. They join a growing movement of over 3750 employers in Scotland who together want to ensure workers have what they need.
“Our Living Wage employer network includes well known organisations such as SSE plc, ENABLE Scotland and the University of Strathclyde as well as lots of smaller employers and we hope to see many more follow their example.”
Council agrees to draw up plans for potential visitor levy in East Lothian
In the future, visitors to East Lothian could be charged a small fee as part of their accommodation costs, which would be used to invest in facilities and services used by visitors, as East Lothian Council agreed to draw up plans for a potential Visitor Levy Scheme.
The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024 was passed by the Scottish Parliament in May 2024, giving local authorities in Scotland the power to introduce a percentage rate charge on overnight accommodation, including caravan parks, camping sites and self-catering accommodation. The rate would be set by each individual local authority.
At a full meeting of East Lothian Council on Tuesday 29 October it was agreed that a scheme for East Lothian should be developed in consultation with residents, businesses, and other key stakeholders.
Councillor John McMillan, East Lothian Council spokesperson for Economic Development and Tourism, said: “Tourism and the visitor economy is highly important to East Lothian and supports thousands of jobs in the county. Visitors come from across the UK and around the world to enjoy our unique area, the quality of our environment and the range of cultural and sporting activities.
“We are in the processing of compiling our most recent visitor survey and responses to the question about a potential levy have been very positive so far. Sixty-two per cent of respondents said they would support a visitor levy and that figure rose to 76 per cent support when they were told the money raised would be used to improve services, infrastructure and facilities that would benefit visitors to East Lothian.
“A small initial survey of our business community showed an almost 50/50 split between those opposed and those in support, so it will be very important to us to develop the proposal in consultation with these stakeholders. This levy could be an effective way to improve facilities and services used by visitors and local people alike and lift some of the burden on the public purse, but we also want to get it right, of course, so working collaboratively will be a key element in shaping the proposal.”
The first stage in designing a proposal will involve engagement, development, and financial modelling, which is expected to take around a year, with a completed draft levy proposal brought back to Council for review and approval prior to full consultation in winter 2025.
If approved, implementation could begin in spring 2026, with a statutory 18 month minimum period from that point before charging of a levy could start. More information about the Visitor Levy Scheme is on the council website.
Plans underway for housing at former Wallyford Primary School site
East Lothian Council has lodged a Pre-Application Notice (PAN) for the masterplan to redevelop the former Wallyford Primary School. As part of the planning process, a three-month public consultation will be carried out.
Located on the former Wallyford primary school grounds, off Salters Road, plans for the site include 60 properties for social rent including six wheelchair accessible flats.
The project is part of a collaborative programme to deliver net zero ready affordable housing. East Lothian Council is working with other local authorities across the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal area to deliver 140 homes using an innovative model developed by the Edinburgh Home Demonstrator and now being implemented by the Regional Delivery Alliance. It includes increased offsite construction which contributes to increased sustainability and health and safety as well as reduced build time on site. You can find out more about the model and delivery partners via the Edinburgh Home Demonstrator website.
All views collected or submitted during the consultation will be considered prior to a planning application in principle being lodged. At that point, interested parties will again have the opportunity to comment via the planning process.
A two-stage consultation process is taking place over October and November 2024. This will allow members of the public to attend a drop in presentation and meet Housing Services and the architects involved in the project.
Stage One involved a drop in presentation held at Wallyford Learning Campus on Tuesday 29 October.
Stage two will allow members of the public an opportunity to hear how the Stage One consultation responses and comments have been considered by the council and allow an opportunity for further comments in advance of the planning application in principle being lodged.
- Tuesday 19 November 3.45-8pm, Wallyford Learning Campus - Main Assembly Hall – entrance via the Leisure Entrance from the north car park.
The event is drop-in and attendees do not need to register their attendance in advance and will not need to attend for the full four hours.
Responses can be submitted at the drop-in events or can be emailed to the Housing Strategy & Development Team or in writing to the team at:
Former Wallyford Primary School Consultation
Housing Strategy & Development Team
East Lothian Council - Penston House
Macmerry Industrial Estate
Macmerry
EH33 1EX
For more information on the South East Scotland City Region Deal, visit the website.
Community group funding applications invited
Applications are now being invited for a fund that supports local community groups, charities and third sector organisations with revenue grant funding.
The One Council Partnership Fund (OCPF) supports activities to help reduce inequalities and make East Lothian a better place to live. The focus of the funding awards for 2025/26 will be to support initiatives and activities which help community-based organisations to:
Addressing inequalities, and the impact of poverty including health inequalities
- Reducing social isolation for vulnerable children, young people and adults
- Supporting prevention and early intervention activities across all age groups
- Provide more youth work opportunities for children and young people
- Respond to the climate emergency
- Promote volunteering
The One Council Partnership Fund issued grants totalling over £1m for 2024/25. Projects funded included MYPAS for its weekly one-to-one support for LGBT+ young people, the Pennypit Community Development Trust’s lunch clubs for local families during the school holidays and Time for Tea project to reduce social isolation, and the New Beginnings Club who provided social and leisure events for their members with physical and learning difficulties to promote positive mental health.
Applicants should reference how their project meets the council plan’s strategic priorities and the East Lothian Plan 2017-2027 and show how they will evidence local need and the positive difference the funding will make. They will also be expected to demonstrate other funding sources they have explored to maximise inward investment through alternative funding opportunities.
Applications are invited from Monday 4 November until Friday 2 December; decision letters will be issued in March 2025 following confirmation of the Council’s approved budget for financial year 2025/26. Find out more: www.eastlothian.gov.uk/one-council-fund