Chief Executive, Laurence Rockey

Welcome to the October edition of Inform.

This month’s edition highlights some of the diverse work taking place across our council, from our workforce travel survey and new council housing developments to activities in our museums and a report from a recent Resilient Communities workshop. There is also a helpful update regarding our employee benefits programme.

I was delighted to see the finalists announced for this year’s Inspire Awards. As a judge, we had some incredibly difficult decisions to make as we received a significant number of high-quality nominations. To be nominated – even if a colleague hasn’t ultimately been named as a finalist – is an achievement to be proud of. I’m now looking forward to celebrating with colleagues on 26 October and recognising the outstanding contributions that employees and teams make every day across East Lothian. It should be another great event!

Many of you will have seen recent media coverage and my recent updates regarding the Scottish Government’s proposals for significant structural change within local government. I think it’s important to mention this in Inform also. I want to emphasise, that these proposals are at a very early stage and form part of a wider discussion with councils and the sector. Importantly, no changes would take effect during the term of the Council elected next year, meaning nothing is happening imminently.

While I recognise that reports of potential change may cause concern or uncertainty, please be assured that we are actively engaged in discussions at both local and national level. There will be many months of consultation and debate ahead, and we will keep you informed as matters develop.

Across East Lothian, our workforce makes a vital difference to communities, and we have a strong track record of delivering excellent services and positive outcomes for residents. As discussions progress, we will actively engage in the process to ensure the interests of our communities, employees and local area are fully represented. We will continue to make the case for the importance of local knowledge, local relationships and strong frontline services.

In the meantime, if you have concerns or questions, please speak with your line manager or Head of Service.

Alongside these wider discussions, it is a busy period and we are preparing for the next full Council meeting later this month. Recently, I attended the annual energy conference in Haddington, where discussions included the important role East Lothian plays in the energy sector and ongoing conversations around data centres. I was also pleased to meet with Head Teachers at Blindwells Primary School to discuss our education priorities and the opportunities ahead.

As always, thank you for your continued hard work and commitment. There is a great deal happening across our council, and I’m grateful for everything you do to support our communities.

Laurence

Refreshed Local Transport Strategy 2026-30 approved

A refreshed Local Transport Strategy to provide the vision and priorities for the county's transport network over the next four years was approved by Cabinet.

Our Local Transport Strategy (LTS) 2026-2030 is aimed at responding to significant challenges including East Lothian’s growing population, the Climate Change emergency, and ongoing financial constraints.

The LTS sets out an overarching framework for a greener, more affordable and better-connected transport system to serve the needs of residents, visitors and businesses.

Strongly aligned with Scotland’s National Transport Strategy 2 (NTS2), the LTS is built around the national priorities of reducing inequalities, taking climate action, delivering inclusive economic growth and improving health and wellbeing.

The Cabinet approved the adoption of the LTS at their meeting on 8 September.

The meeting heard a report on the LTS and its commitment to the provision of cleaner and safer travel options. This would be achieved by encouraging more walking, wheeling, and cycling for everyday journeys while boosting public transport connectivity and ensuring the road network remains well maintained and resilient.

Sustainable transport

Other key priorities include expanding the active travel infrastructure, enhancing the accessibility and reliability of bus services, and promoting journey hubs that connect different modes of transport.

The refreshed LTS builds on progress made since the introduction of the previous Local Transport Strategy in 2018. This includes the opening of the new railway station at East Linton, major investments in active travel routes and the introduction of parking management schemes.

Cabinet noted that the implementation of the LTS will depend on the availability of both council resources and external funding opportunities, including financial support from Transport Scotland, South East of Scotland Transport Partnership (SEStran), and developer contributions.

Future projects will be supported through a range of our programmes, including the Active Travel Improvement Plan, the Road Asset Management Plan, the Road Safety Plan and the Parking Management Strategy.

Performance will be assessed through strategic outcomes centred on improving accessibility, raising the use of sustainable transport, supporting economic development, and fostering healthier communities.

Detection dogs sniff out 20,000 counterfeit cigarettes

Our Trading Standards officers, accompanied by Police Scotland and specialist tobacco detection dogs, seized more than 20,000 illicit cigarettes during a recent operation.

Enforcement visits were made to two shops in the Musselburgh and Tranent areas as part of the crackdown.

Officers seized more than 20,000 cigarettes along with around 100 packs of hand rolling tobacco believed to be intended for illegal sale.

The visits formed part of Operation CECE Scotland, a UK-wide initiative involving Trading Standards services and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) aimed at tackling the sale of illicit tobacco products at retail level.

The specially trained tobacco detection dogs, Boo and Rosie (pictured below) played a key role in locating hidden tobacco products during the inspections.

Illicit tobacco can take various forms, including counterfeit versions of well-known brands, genuine tobacco products smuggled into the UK without the payment of duty and so-called "cheap whites" which are products manufactured for the black market and illegally imported into the country.

All cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco legally sold in the UK must be supplied in standardised packaging featuring both written and pictorial health warnings, with all packaging text appearing in English.

Trading Standards officers can report criminal offences to the Procurator Fiscal for prosecution. Where tobacco products are found not to comply with relevant legislation, evidence may be referred to HMRC which can consider the imposition of a civil penalty. For a first breach, the maximum civil sanction available is £10,000.

Work starts on new council housing in Wallyford

Construction has begun on a development of 36 brand new council homes in Wallyford, next to the Learning Campus. 

Built on our behalf by McTaggart Construction, the homes, which will join our housing stock for social rent, are a mix of two, three and four bedroom terraced and semi-detached properties. 

The development is costing just over £7.5 million, with just over £3million in funding from us and the remainder from the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme.

The site is part of the greater Wallyford development, which has seen several new housing developments and the new Learning Campus completed in the last few years.

Completion is expected in early 2028.

 

Still time to complete our new workforce travel survey

A reminder that we're running a new workforce travel survey to help colleagues find the fastest, most affordable and sustainable way to reach work.

The survey, now in its third year, also provides vital data to assist us in planning for our workforce at individual sites and measuring our environmental impact.

This year the survey will run until Wednesday, 14 October.

We are once again partnering with local firm Calcommuter, which provides an individual travel plan for all staff who complete the survey and energy saving tips for those working from home.

We will survey the same 12 key work sites we did last year for consistency. Even if you’ve taken the survey previously, we recommend you do so again to check for updated bus and train timetables.

The survey providing a free travel plan takes only takes five minutes to complete. Please scan the QR code below or visit: https://link.calcommuter.co.uk/ELC

The work sites being surveyed are:

• Dunbar Grammar School
• John Muir House
• Kinwegar Waste Services Depot
• Knox Academy & Meadowpark CP Unit
• Musselburgh Grammar School
• North Berwick High School
• Penston House
• Preston Lodge High School
• Ross High School & The Brae
• Wallyford Primary School & Nursery
• Wallyford Learning Campus (e.g. Rosehill High School / The Brae / Community Centre)
• Windygoul Primary School

What will you receive? 

• a free personalised travel plan: Your suggested route to work is unique for your commute, and could save you time and money
• advice and tips on home working: Review our council’s home working policies to ensure you’re working optimally and receiving adequate support
• reduce your carbon footprint: The survey will identify if there is a more sustainable way for you to get to work, such as public transport or cycling. Taking a sustainable commute, even occasionally, can help reduce East Lothian’s emissions and support our council’s climate change goals

How will we use the data?

We use this data to report on greenhouse gas emissions from our staff commuting to work. It’s important we take responsibility for our colleagues’ travel arrangements as we look to reach net zero emissions by 2045.

We will also carry out analysis on travel times and viable alternatives for colleagues to inform our Staff Travel Plan and Local Transport Strategy.

Answering the survey helps us plan for our workforce and target support at work sites where staff commute often or from further afield.

Join in! New singing, acting and music groups launched

New singing, acting and music groups are being launched at The Brunton at Corn Exchange in Haddington - and you can get involved.

The groups will provide the chance to take part in a fun and creative activity which sparks your imagination and helps you develop valuable skills.

Joining a group can have a positive impact on health and wellbeing by building self-confidence, making new friends, and reducing social isolation and stress.

The groups being launched are:

The Brunton Players - an acting group is for anyone aged over 18 with little or no previous acting experience required. Led by a professional actor, you’ll discover improv, bring characters to life, experiment with movement, explore scripts and develop new skills.

The Brunton Showstoppers Choir - a fun, feel-good group led by an experienced choir director where everyone is welcome. No need to read music, just bring your voice! For ages 16 plus.

The Brunton Community Orchestra is for all ages and instruments (around Grade 5+ recommended), whether you are actively playing or haven’t played in a while. The emphasis is on enjoying music together in a relaxed, supportive space.

If any of these opportunities interest you, please email bpan@eastlothian.gov.uk to receive more information.

Service teams recognised at APSE awards

Three of our service areas were honoured at this year’s APSE Service awards which recognises outstanding work in local authorities across the UK.

The awards ceremony, which took place last month at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Liverpool, celebrated excellence in frontline service delivery.

Our council was a finalist in the Best Climate Action or Decarbonisation Initiative category, the Best Service Team of the Year (Technical Services) and Best Service Team of the Year (Cemetery and Crematorium) categories.

Although our finalists lost out to some worthy winners on the night, the awards honoured the amazing contribution of many colleagues.

Wendy Hood, Operational Manager with Amenity Services, attended the ceremony and collected the finalist’s certificate for Best Service Team of the Year (Cemetery and Crematorium) on behalf of the Bereavement Team.

Since January 2024, the team has transformed our burial and bereavement services into a modern, digitally-led operation that puts families first at the most difficult times. They are currently carrying out a dedicated headstone health and safety inspection programme across East Lothian.

Jennifer Lothian, Strategy, Policy & Development Manager in Amenity Services, collected the finalists’ certificate for Best Climate Action or Decarbonisation Initiative on behalf of the East Lothian Climate Forest project and lead officer Sarah Cheyne, Senior Projects Officer – Landscape.

One of Scotland's first Climate Forests, the ambitious programme aims to plant two million trees across the county by 2031 through a partnership involving landowners, developers, communities and our council. More than 247,000 trees have already been planted, guided by our Tree and Woodland Strategy.

Excellent frontline services

Mike Foy, Team Manager with Amenity Services, collected the Best Service Team of the Year (Technical Services) finalists’ certificate on behalf of Fleet Services.

Fleet Services was honoured for delivering a major expansion of in-house Additional Support Needs (ASN) transport in response to rising demand, taxi market failure and climate pressures. Investment in wheelchair accessible buses, workforce growth and modern apprenticeships now provides safer, more inclusive, lower carbon transport for more than 40 additional ASN pupils.

Mo Baines, Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) Chief Executive, said: “In local authorities across the UK, frontline service teams continue to work tirelessly to make a positive impact on their communities and improve the lives of residents.  

“APSE is proud to shine a light on the councils who are delivering excellent frontline services and celebrate them through our Annual Service Awards.”

Infrastructure project wins Scottish Civil Engineering Award

The creation of a new bridge and diversionary road replacing the Markle Level Crossing near East Linton scooped a top prize at this year’s Scottish Civil Engineering Awards.

Our council and infrastructure firm Balfour Beatty collected the accolade in the Rail Infrastructure Project category.

The awards are widely recognised as the highest honour for engineering excellence in the built environment in Scotland.

We acted as project managers for the works which were undertaken by Balfour Beatty.

Our Project Manager in Growth and Sustainability Peter Forsyth, who led its delivery, and Glen Henderson, Project Manager for Balfour Beatty, were presented with the award at a ceremony held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre last month.

The works, which were fully funded by Transport Scotland, saw the construction of a single-span bridge to replace the level crossing along with the construction of a 1km diversionary road at Markle Steading.

Markle Level Crossing had been one of only two remaining level crossings on Scotland’s East Coast Main Line. Its closure removed the risk to road users and the national rail network.

The new bridge benefitted pedestrians and road traffic by removing delays caused by lowered level crossing barriers when trains are approaching.

The project incorporated 70,000 tonnes of locally sourced materials and delivered a shared-use path providing safe access for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrian users.

A sustainable drainage system, including three attenuation ponds, was introduced to manage stormwater and reduce flood risk, alongside landscaping that enhanced biodiversity and integrated the structure into its rural setting.

Quality of life

At the awards, the project was praised for “demonstrating how civil engineering can improve safety, connectivity and the quality of life for local communities”.

Peter said: “This was an excellent example of a ‘Team Scotland’ delivery model, with the council working closely in partnership with Transport Scotland, Network Rail and Balfour Beatty.

“Within the council, this complex construction project was supported across our services, including Procurement, Legal, Planning, Roads and Estates.

“We’re pleased the award recognised the benefits brought to the community which was our key focus throughout the project.”

Copying from external publications

Copyright

Our council holds a licence from the Copyright Licensing Agency. This permits employees to make paper or digital copies of content from most books, magazines, journals and periodicals and digital publications.

Newspapers

Colleagues are reminded that our council no longer holds a licence from the Newspaper Licensing Agency. This previously permitted employees to make occasional copies from newspaper publications for internal management purposes. As a result employees must ensure they do not:

• circulate newspaper or magazine articles or extracts internally, via email
• copy or save articles onto internal computer drives
• photocopy or scan articles
• digitally copy articles from a newspaper or magazine website
• print content from a newspaper or magazine website
• print or copy content from a media monitoring service or PR agency
• provide any newspaper or magazine content to external contacts
• place copies of any articles on a corporate website or social media pages

You can still view or share links electronically to online news websites. Many news stories about the council or of interest to employees are now published in this way.

Thank you for your support.

Museums: what's on in October 2026

All our museums are FREE to visit. We have some fantastic exhibitions and annual events to look forward to.

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EXHIBITIONS

NEW EXHIBITION: Cinematic East Lothian

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of East Lothian Libraries’ Local History Centre, this exhibition showcases a brief history of the old picture houses of East Lothian, popular film locations in the county, nostalgic items in the Museum collection as well as items in the private collection of local residents and groups, and screenings of short films with a local history theme. This exhibition aims to evoke treasured memories of Saturday matinees, crowded foyers and nights spent lost in the visual pleasures of the silver screen.

Friday 2 October 2026 to Thursday 8 April 2027.

Open Thursday and Friday from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm and Saturday from 10am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4pm. Free admission.

John Gray Centre – Museum 15 Lodge Street, Haddington EH41 3DX.

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NEW EXHIBITION: John Muir Country Park 50th Anniversary

Exhibition of photography and reflections by staff, volunteers and junior rangers.

20 October 2026 to mid January 2027.

Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 1pm to 5pm.

John Muir’s Birthplace, High Street, Dunbar EH42 1JJ.

Free admission.

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NEW DISPLAY: Working Lives at Dunbar Town House

Dunbar’s Town House or Tolbooth is more than 400 years old and touched the lives of many people through the Town Council, Police Station, Library, Registrars, Tourist Information, Housing Office, MP and MSP office, Museum and many more.

Do you know someone who worked here? Have you been to a wedding here? We would love to hear your stories and see your photos.

Step back in time as we help you discover the hidden past of this iconic building.

October to March

Open Saturday 2pm to 4pm courtesy of Dunbar and District History Society.

Free admission.

Dunbar Town House Museum & Gallery, High Street, Dunbar EH42 1ER.

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Place-names of East Lothian: A journey through time

Dunbar? Lamer Street? Friarscroft?

What does it mean?

Where did the name come from?

Dunbar and District History Society’s latest exhibition is based on the online publication, Place-names of East Lothian: A journey through time, researched by History Society member Liz Curtis. The exhibition presents a selection of names and their meaning from North Berwick to Dunglass and is supported by artefacts and historical images.

As Liz explains: "Over thousands of years, a succession of different peoples arrived in East Lothian, mostly seeking the excellent agricultural land. They spoke different languages – Brittonic, Old English, Old Norse (Scandinavian), Gaelic, and Norman French. Then Scots developed locally, based on Old English. Each group named the land in their own way. They adopted the place-names of their predecessors or adapted them or created new names. As a result, East Lothian has a wonderfully varied collection of place-names, which illuminate our history."

The full version of the online publication can be found on the Scottish Place-Name Society’s website: https://spns.org.uk

Courtesy of Dunbar and District History Society

Open Saturday 2pm to 4pm.

Free admission.

Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery, High Street, Dunbar EH42 1ER.

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LAST CHANCE TO SEE: Coastal Communities Museum

Come and visit our fascinating local museum located in the seaside town of North Berwick. We’re run entirely by enthusiastic volunteers and our aim is to enable locals and visitors to explore the culture and heritage of the coastal communities that make up East Lothian’s North Berwick coastal ward.

Wednesday to Saturday 11am to 4pm. Free admission.

Coastal Communities Museum School Road, North Berwick EH39 4JU. 

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Events and activities

Art Route Dunbar

Friday 16 to Sunday 18 October 2026

Explore incredible art in Dunbar: 32 venues and 55 artists

www.dunbarartroute.co.uk

Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery will be hosting eight installations:

Dunbar Cancer Tapestry

Barbara Gardener Rowell – textile

Alexandra Bell – sound and light installation

Mandy Thomson – painter

Iona Molleson – painter

Annie Green – painter

Anne Gillies – painter

Karin Chipulina – mixed media

Open Friday to Sunday 10am to 4pm.

Free admission.

Dunbar Town House Museum & Gallery, High Street, Dunbar EH42 1ER.

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Family drop in activities

Our museums all have free admission and have drop-in craft activities for families.

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Autumn and Winter museum opportunities

• explore historic records and online exhibitions or pop in for a visit to discover the history of East Lothian in 1000 objects in this innovative, interactive museum at John Gray Centre in Haddington. Uncover how ordinary and extraordinary people earned their living and spent their time from the Stone Age to the present day. Temporary exhibition about local D Day veteran, fisherman, husband, father and great dancer Charlie Horn! johngraycentre.org
• visit John Muir’s Birthplace and discover how a boy born in Dunbar became one of the driving forces behind the global conservation movement. His life and work continue to inspire people all over the world. Today his legacy helps connect with wellbeing, sustainability and communities. jmbt.org.uk
• explore the woods and grounds of Prestongrange Museums using the mobile phone tour as a guide through 400 years of local industry. The harbour, glass works, pottery, colliery and brickworks have all left their marks on the landscape including winding gear, a vast brick kiln and a Cornish beam engine. eastlothian.gov.uk/prestongrange
• take a tour of Dunbar Town House Museum & Gallery with Dunbar & District History Society. The Town House has been the focus of town life since the 16th century and is home to a local history display and the temporary exhibition about shopfronts. eastlothian.gov.uk/dunbar-town-house

 Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery, High Street, Dunbar EH42 1ER.

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Our Museums:

John Gray Centre (Museum)

15 Lodge Street, Haddington EH41 3DX.               

Thursday and Friday 10am to 1pm, 2pm to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 1pm, 2pm to 4pm.

www.johngraycentre.org

John Muir's Birthplace

126 High Street, Dunbar EH42 1JJ.

Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 1pm to 5pm.

www.jmbt.org.uk

Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery

High Street, Dunbar EH42 1ER.

Saturday 2pm to 4pm courtesy of Dunbar and District History Society.

www.eastlothian.gov.uk/dunbar-town-house

Prestongrange Museum

Morrison’s Haven, Prestonpans EH32 9RX.

Visitor Centre closed until April 2027.

Site still open for outdoor visits using mobile phone tour.

www.eastlothian.gov.uk/prestongrange

Coastal Communities Museum

School Road, North Berwick EH39 4JU.

Wednesday to Saturday 11am until 4pm every week until 31 October.

www.coastalmuseum.org

Musselburgh Museum

65 High St, Musselburgh EH21 7BZ.

Closed until April 2027.

www.coastalmuseum.org

Autumnal delights – music, theatre, films and talks from The Brunton in East Lothian

The Brunton has a packed programme this month at its Corn Exchange, Haddington venue.

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They are delighted to welcome back veteran mountaineer Simon Yates, of Touching the Void fame, with gripping tales of highs and lows of a decade of adventures in Pleasure and Pain on Thursday 29 October. https://www.thebrunton.co.uk/whats-on/simon-yates-pleasure-and-pain/

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Gilded Balloon is well known as an Edinburgh Festival Fringe venue, and they also tour rip-roaring comedy nights throughout the year. Settle in for The Big Comedy Roadshow with well-known live stand-ups and the hottest up and coming acts on Friday 16 October. We welcome social media star Jack Skipper, Irish comedian Alison Spittle, Scottish BAFTA winner Raymond Mearns, rising star Tamsyn Kelly and MC Gareth Mutch to Haddington. https://www.thebrunton.co.uk/whats-on/gilded-balloon-the-big-comedy-roadshow

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If you can’t make this comedy night, then have a look at our other comedy nights on our website https://www.thebrunton.co.uk/whats-on/event-categories/comedy/

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We’ve had great feedback from patrons about how much they enjoy attending live music at the Corn Exchange. We aim to create a programme with a broad range of genres and styles. A highlight this month has to be FARA on Saturday 10 October. Inspired by the rich traditions of the Orkney Islands, FARA convey the dynamic sound and beautiful emotion of Scottish folk music in their incredible, award winning performances.

https://www.thebrunton.co.uk/whats-on/fara/

And if you enjoy Trad music you should also try Ímar on Friday 30 October. This Irish/Manx/Scottish quintet is amongst Glasgow’s hottest folk property and a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winner. Imar’s music is a mesmerising blend of bodhrán, bouzouki, concertina, uilleann pipes and fiddle.

https://www.thebrunton.co.uk/whats-on/imar/

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Families are in for a treat with Gaggle on Tuesday 13 October at 2.30pm and 4pm. This immersive theatre experience is designed specially for young people with additional support needs and blends physical comedy, circus and live music. Find out more on our website www.thebrunton.co.uk/whats-on/gaggle but call our box office team on 0131 653 5245 to book this one, so we can be sure to understand your young person’s needs.

We celebrate some of the best loved and best-known bands of our time with Do I Love You – Northern Live on Wednesday 14 October. An 11 piece band with four vocalists perform over 30 Northern Soul hits from Gloria Jones, Al Wilson, Garnet Mimms and more. https://www.thebrunton.co.uk/whats-on/northern-live/ 

The Americana Revue Legends of Country Rock on Friday 23 October pays tribute to icons such as Eagles, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac, Johnny Cash, Creedence Clearwater Revival and more with songs that inspired a generation. https://www.thebrunton.co.uk/whats-on/the-americana-revue/ 

Dust off your platforms and bring some friends to the ultimate ABBA tribute – Thank You For The Music on Friday 13 November. You’ll have the time of your life with all the hits performed with unmistakable harmonies, colourful costumes, and dazzling performances by a talented cast. https://www.thebrunton.co.uk/whats-on/thank-you-for-the-music/ 

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Films 

Have you tried our film programme at the Corn Exchange?

This autumn we invite you to pay what you can from £3 to £10 for titles including Pressure, Sense and Sensibility, The Uprising and French language film Lost Illusions. Book here https://www.thebrunton.co.uk/whats-on/event-categories/film

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Concerts in Musselburgh

Don’t forget if you or someone you know is about during the day, our Bite-Sized Afternoon Concert series at Northesk Church in Musselburgh offers a lovely hour long concert in a relaxed environment, followed by a free cuppa and chat.

Grace Stewart Skinner’s Clarsach concert on Tuesday 13 October at 1.30pm features some of her favourite traditional tunes alongside her own compositions. On Tuesday 10 November our concert Women In Love and Life introduces mezzo-soprano Amy Karensa and pianist Catriona MacKenzie with Romantic to twentieth century song, exploring women’s experience of love and life through the ages.

https://www.thebrunton.co.uk/whats-on/bite-sized-concert-grace-stewart-skinner/

www.thebrunton.co.uk/whats-on/bite-sized-concert-women-in-love-and-life/

 

Whatever brings you through our doors this month, we look forward to welcoming you.

Foodbank Christmas collection - can you help?

We're planning a council-wide staff collection for East Lothian Foodbank this Christmas - can you help? 

Why are we doing this?

East Lothian Foodbank provides emergency food and practical support to people across our area who are experiencing pressures.

The charity received £500 through our supplier Community Benefit funding after colleagues voted for it while responding to the employee survey and will receive money raised through November's Quizmas event. We're building on that work and the goodwill that exists for the East Lothian Foodbank. 

We know that many teams look for causes to support at Christmas and some organise their own Foodbank collections. By harnessing our collective resources, we hope to make a significant donation to the Foodbank that will help their work supporting people in our communities. 

How will it work?

We're in touch with the East Lothian Foodbank ahead of their Christmas reverse advent calendar campaign. As in previous years, their team will create a poster of items they'd value receiving in December for their work ahead of Christmas and into January. This ranges from household staples like tea and coffee, cereal, pasta and tinned meat or vegetables to toiletries and Christmas chocolate. People can donate as many items as they want either individually or coordinating with others.  

A network of collection stations across our council locations will make it easy for colleagues to drop-off food items.

Posters with QR codes will tell you what these items are and give an option to donate money if you'd prefer. 

The donation window will run from 23 November to 5 December.

Can you help? 

• we'd like to have a donation point in every office or staff location. Could you be a coordinator in your building? 
• would you be willing to transport donations from your location to a central pick-up point or to the foodbank? 
• could you display a poster in your workplace? 

We'd love to have as many people as possible on board - either with practical arrangements or to donate an item or two (or more!) when the collection window opens.

Look out for further details in next month's Inform and on the intranet. 

Contact details

To offer your help please contact inform@eastlothian.gov.uk

Meet Sarah: Senior Projects Officer- Landscape

During Scotland’s Climate Week (28 September to 4 October) we caught up with Sarah Cheyne to hear about her hugely important role in designing, enhancing and protecting landscapes of all types, right across East Lothian. 

Sarah has been with our organisation for more than 30 years after studying Landscape Architecture at Edinburgh College of Art. “I joined the council as a Landscape Assistant and have spent my career helping to shape and improve the places where people live, work and spend their time," she explains. 

“Over the years I've worked on a huge variety of projects, from small planting schemes and play areas to larger public realm improvements, including the streetscape in front of the Corn Exchange in Haddington. Today, my role is focused on helping to protect and enhance East Lothian's landscapes, trees and natural environment, while ensuring that new development is sensitively integrated into its surroundings. 

“I feel very fortunate to do a job that I genuinely enjoy, in such a beautiful part of the country. One of the things I like most is the variety. No two days are the same. One day I may be working on the design for a new school landscape while the next I could be considering the landscape and visual effects of a proposed wind farm in the Lammermuirs. 

“I also enjoy knowing that the work we do has a lasting impact, helping to protect East Lothian's distinctive landscapes while creating places that people can enjoy for generations to come. 

“Many people may be surprised to learn that the Landscape Team consists of just three officers, given that we are involved in a wide range of work across the council! 

“We help protect and enhance East Lothian's landscapes, trees and woodlands and advise on planning applications, helping to ensure that new development is designed and located appropriately and that important landscape features and trees are safeguarded. 

“We are also helping with the new Local Development Plan, identifying the most sensitive landscapes in East Lothian and considering how these can be protected and enhanced whilst supporting necessary development. 

“Another part of our role is looking after protected trees in East Lothian. We implement Tree Preservation Orders and approve works to trees in conservation areas and those protected by Tree Preservation Orders or conditions of planning consents. 

“We also help deliver the Tree and Woodland Strategy for East Lothian, encouraging management and planting of the right trees and woodlands in the right places, and recording new planting towards the ambitious goal of two million trees for the East Lothian Climate Forest. 

“Alongside this, we provide a landscape design service. A recent project I'm particularly proud of is the landscape design for the new Whitecraig Primary School. 

“This autumn and winter, I'm looking forward to working with colleagues and partners on a range of tree and hedge planting projects across East Lothian. Many of these are being supported through Scottish Government Climate Forest funding and will make an important contribution to the East Lothian Climate Forest, helping to create greener, more resilient places for both people and nature. 

“We are also partnering with groups across East Lothian. One example is with Natural Connections in Tranent for the delivery of the Tranent Tree Town, a three-year project to grow, plant and maintain 3000 trees across Tranent – significantly improving its canopy coverage which is currently one of the lowest across the settlements in East Lothian. Another example is the Hedgerow Restoration Project being led by the East Lothian Climate Hub which aims to restore and plant 45km of hedgerows across 30 sites in East Lothian by 2030.” 

For more information and to watch a video on the Climate Forest project, go to the Central Scotland Green Network website. 

 

 

A Ranger Writes: look out for larch this Autumn

It's October and our countryside is changing with rich reds and bright yellow leaves reflecting Autumn sunshine. Countryside Ranger Ranger Richard English explains why larch is an outlier amongst coniferous trees and valued by garden designers, timber companies and wildlife alike.

Now that we’re heading well and truly into autumn, there will be very clear signs of change around the countryside. One of the most obvious and, frankly, cliched is the colouring up and eventual dropping of leaves from many of our trees. Trees respond to falling temperatures and shorter days by preparing to shut down for winter. As this happens, chlorophyll in the leaves (which produces the green colour) starts to break down, revealing other pigments such as carotenes and xanthophylls, which give the leaves their characteristic autumn orange and yellow colours.

Of course, not all trees do this – some retain their green leaves and their ability to photosynthesise all year round. In the UK, broad-leaved trees are generally deciduous, although holly is an obvious exception. While all three of our native conifers (Scots pine, yew and juniper) are evergreen, there’s one introduced coniferous genus that does the whole autumnal leaf-shedding thing.

European larch

The European larch (Larix decidua) was brought to the UK in the 1620s. It was thought to have been introduced by the famous botanist/gardener/plant hunter John Tradescant. It was planted in a number of estates around the country, largely for its ornamental value – the autumn colour no doubt contributing to this. It has, along with its relative the Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) with which it readily hybridises, become a valuable timber tree.

The hybrid is known as the Dunkeld larch, since it was there, on land belonging to the Dukes of Atholl, that it was first discovered. It is widely regarded as producing better timber than either of the parent species, since it is faster growing and has greater disease resistance.

So, larches should be easy to spot this month – they’ll be the only conifers shedding their non-green leaves. However, it’s definitely worth getting a closer look at some of the details.

The leaves have the characteristic needle-like appearance common to conifers, but are finer than those of pines. They grow in clumps of up to forty emerging from woody spurs along the branches. These spurs remain once the leaves are shed, giving the winter twigs a distinctive knobbly look.

Rose-like appearance 

The cones of the larch are small and woody. They tend to remain on the tree a lot longer than those of other species, which often fall off over winter. In the European larch the mature cones are compact, brown and roughly egg-shaped. In the Japanese larch they are a bit more open, with the tips of each scale curled back, giving them a slightly rose-like appearance.

Part of our landscape heritage

Despite being non-native, larch can be valuable to wildlife. The seeds provide food for squirrels and several species of bird including siskins, redpolls and crossbills. The young buds and cones are eaten by grouse and several species of moth caterpillars feed on the leaves. Being deciduous, larch produce less springtime shade than other conifers, which allows a greater growth of ground flora.

Larch can be a long-lived species, possibly as much as two thousand years. Some of those at Dunkeld and at Kailzie, in the Borders, date from the early eighteenth century.

Whether valued for the habitat it offers or appreciated as part of our landscape heritage, the larch is a distinctive tree to discover at this time of year.

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We top table for kerbside recycling rates

Colleagues in Waste Services were lauded in a recent UK-wide study of recycling rates.

The survey placed our council at the top of the table for our low rate of kerbside recycling being rejected due to contamination.

The research - carried out by not-for-profit Every Can Counts - was based on data submitted by more than 50 councils.

The group praised East Lothian for having a recycling rejection rate of only 3.95 per cent due to the presence of common recycling contaminants such as food waste.

Rejected recycling usually needs to be incinerated or taken to landfill and some UK local authorities had rejection rates as high as 35 per cent, according to the findings.

We have invested in more ways to help households recycle and our kerbside sorting system greatly minimises any contamination of mixed products.

And our service provision of delivering weekly recycling collections and three weekly general waste pick-ups is having a significant impact on raising our recycling levels and lowering the amount of waste going to landfill.

Tom Reid, our Head of Infrastructure, said: “Placing first amongst more than 50 UK councils for our kerbside recycling rates is a wonderful achievement and a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone in Waste Services. The whole team can be proud of their performance, and this kind of recognition is thoroughly deserved.

“Our thanks also go to the county’s residents for their continued use and support of our recycling services. They are playing a vital role in protecting the environment and helping to tackle the climate emergency.”

Resilient Communities workshop hailed a success

Our Emergency Planning and Resilience Team welcomed almost 50 participants to a Resilient Communities exercise and workshop held in Garvald last month.

The event brought together council employees together with community representatives, partner organisations and voluntary agencies to share information, build connections and help strengthen community resilience across East Lothian. Attendees included representatives from community councils and resilience groups from Garvald, Gifford, Dunbar, West Barns, Stenton, Pencaitland, North Berwick, Cockenzie and Port Seton, Longniddry, Musselburgh, Wallyford, Ormiston and surrounding rural areas.

Participants took part in a practical missing person exercise led by Borders Search and Rescue, providing valuable insight into the challenges faced by emergency responders and the role communities can play in supporting local resilience efforts. Presentations were also delivered by the Met Office, Scottish Gas Networks (SGN) and ScottishPower Energy Networks (SPEN), highlighting how organisations work together during severe weather and power disruption incidents. The British Red Cross, Lothian 4x4 Response and Salvation Army were also on hand to showcase the support they provide during emergencies.

Scott Kennedy, Emergency Planning and Resilience Team Manager, said: “The workshop highlighted the vital contribution that community resilience groups make in helping local people prepare for, respond to and recover from unexpected events. By bringing together communities, partner agencies and volunteers, the event provided an opportunity to share knowledge, build relationships and raise awareness of the practical steps communities can take to become more resilient.

“As weather-related and other emergency incidents continue to present challenges, strong local resilience groups remain an important part of East Lothian's ability to support communities and work effectively with partner organisations when help is needed most. The Garvald workshop was a positive step in ensuring communities are better prepared and connected for the future.”

Opportunity to help shape future of facilities

We're seeking views on whether community organisations may be interested in taking on a greater role in the management of some buildings through long-term community benefit leases or, where appropriate, community asset transfer arrangements.

As part of our Place Making Project, we are keen to see high-quality, well-used community facilities continuing to operate across the local area.

As result of a paper approved by elected members in October 2025, officers were asked to engage with local communities to explore options for the future management and operation of a number of community centres and village halls, as well as Haddington Town House and Dunbar Town House.

The first of two public engagement exercises, which seeks views on a range of potential operation models, is now underway. This gives people the opportunity to share their views. The feedback received during the engagement will help inform a report to a council meeting on completion of the engagement.

These facilities play an important role in supporting local communities and the engagement provides an opportunity to hear thoughts about how buildings can continue to be sustained and thrive in the future.

The first engagement exercise, which runs until 31 December 2026, focuses on North Berwick Community Centre; Gullane Recreation Hall; Pennypit Centre, Prestonpans; Port Seton Centre.

A second engagement exercise, planned from 18 January 2027 to 26 April 2027, will focus on Macmerry Village Hall; Ormiston Community Centre; Haddington & Nungate Community Centre; Whitecraig Village Hub; Longniddry Community Centre; Prestonpans Community Centre; Dunbar Town House; Haddington Town House; Trevelyan Hall, Pencaitland.

Get involved

Engagement events will be held on the following dates:

Monday, 26 October (2pm and 7pm) – Gullane Recreation Hall

Tuesday, 27 October (2pm and 7pm) – North Berwick Community Centre

Tuesday, 10 November (2pm and 7pm) – Pennypit Centre, Prestonpans

Tuesday, 17 November (2pm and 7pm) – Port Seton Centre

Anyone who wishes to attend an engagement event is asked to contact us in advance by email: placemakingproject@eastlothian.gov.uk

Find out more. 

Learn about new employee benefits coming soon

Colleagues will soon be able to benefit from two new employee schemes designed to make shopping on a budget simple and help stay healthy.

The Home and Electronics Scheme will give you the ability to spread the cost of purchasing items such as laptops or white goods through a salary sacrifice arrangement.

The second scheme is an Online GP Service designed to make healthcare more accessible and convenient by providing phone and video consultations with a registered doctor.

The schemes are being delivered through the Vivup platform and you can find out more by visiting https://www.vivup.co.uk/users/sign_in

Further information, including answers to frequently asked questions, will be published in the Employee Benefits section of the intranet ahead of the launch of both schemes on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.

Please watch the video below where Hayley Barnett, our Head of Corporate Support, explains more about these benefits.

What is the Home and Electronics Scheme?

The Home and Electronics Scheme gives employees access to a wide range of products, including tablets, mobile phones, TVs, home appliances, gaming equipment and more. Purchases are made through our provider, Vivup, with products available from well-known retailers such as Currys and John Lewis.

How does it work?

Rather than paying for an item upfront, you can spread the cost over 12 or 24 months through salary sacrifice deductions from your pay. Depending on your circumstances, this can provide savings on tax, National Insurance and pension contributions.

Orders can range from £100, making the scheme suitable whether you're purchasing a small household appliance or investing in larger technology purchases.

Things to consider

As with any employee benefit, it's important to understand how the scheme works before applying. Equipment provided through the scheme is treated by HMRC as a Benefit in Kind (BiK), which means a tax liability may arise and a P11D will be submitted. Colleagues should also consider any potential impact on their pension, as salary sacrifice arrangements reduce pensionable pay. A 5% administration fee will be added to the cost of each order and included within the salary sacrifice deduction. 

Colleagues are encouraged to compare prices before placing an order, particularly during retailer sales and promotional periods, to ensure the scheme offers the best value for their circumstances.

Find out more

To access the Home and Electronics Scheme, you'll need to register on the Vivup employee benefits portal at https://www.vivup.co.uk/users/sign_in

Registration allows you to browse the products available, compare prices and learn more about how the scheme works. There is no obligation to place an order after registering.

In addition to the Home and Electronics Scheme, the Vivup portal provides access to information on other employee benefits, including Lifestyle Savings, Employee Wellbeing, Capital Credit Union, Cycle to Work, Fleet Solutions, Give As You Earn, HSF Health Plan and My Money Matters.

What is the Online GP Service?

This service offers unlimited telephone and video consultations with registered GPs, allowing you to book appointments at a time that suits you. Consultations can take place from the comfort of your home or any other convenient location.

The service includes:

• Access to registered GPs
• Open referrals
• Private prescriptions (prescription costs apply)
• Cover for eligible dependants

Why are we introducing this benefit?

Accessing a GP appointment can sometimes be challenging, particularly when balancing work and personal commitments. Research shows the average wait for a GP appointment is around 10 days, while more than half of people who needed to see their GP in the last year avoided making an appointment altogether.

The Online GP Service is being introduced to help employees access healthcare more quickly and conveniently, reducing the need to take time away from work for routine appointments. It’s designed to make accessing healthcare simpler and more convenient, helping employees get advice and support when they need it most.

Find out more

The Online GP Service will be available through the Vivup portal from 4 November. To access the service, you'll need to register at https://www.vivup.co.uk/users/sign_in

Apply now to be a future leader

Applications are now open for the next cohort of the Aspiring Future Leaders pathway. Designed for colleagues who are in their first leadership roles or curious and motivated to make that next step.

Why join?

• greater confidence in leading others
• practical leadership skills you can apply
• better self-awareness through reflection and feedback
• access to coaching, mentoring and peer support
• stronger networks across the organisation
• preparation for future career opportunities

How you’ll learn

These development methods are aligned to The East Lothian Way and our leadership behaviours.

 

What do participants say?

PA Service Administrator Fiona Glass says: "The programme has enabled me to grow in confidence, particularly in people management, while helping me better understand my strengths, communication style and areas for further development.

"I particularly enjoyed the practical structure of the workshops, leaving each session with tangible takeaways that I could apply in my role, as well as the opportunity to connect with and learn from colleagues across the cohort.

"One of my biggest insights has been recognising the distinction between management and leadership, and how strong leadership helps create a positive culture."

Ready to develop your leadership potential?

Applications close on Friday 30 October. You can apply for the Aspiring Future Leaders pathway through the intranet (front page or search Leadership Development in the A to Z of services). Alternatively email leadershipdev@eastlothian.gov.uk to find out more. 

FREE training: Microsoft Office essentials

Edinburgh College is offering a free Microsoft Office Essentials course for East Lothian residents. 

Developed in partnership with East Lothian Works, the course will help people develop core digital skills in a supportive setting. 

The practical course is designed for adults who want to build confidence using computers and Microsoft Office applications for everyday life, learning and work. Whether you are returning to learning, looking to improve your skills or want to become more confident with technology, this course provides a welcoming introduction to digital skills.

The course starts on Thursday 22 October and will run for six weeks (6pm to 8pm) at Edinburgh College's Milton Road campus. 

How to apply:

Visit: Computing in the Community Microsoft Office Essentials | Edinburgh College