East Lothian Council’s Labour Administration draft budget is being set during the toughest year for residents, staff and local services, with communities, staff and local services all stretched to their absolute limit.

The pandemic has placed massive additional pressures on families, finances, jobs, homes, businesses and created additional poverty across the County like we have never seen before.

Council staff from all departments have pulled together quickly to deliver key local services for people who were most in need of support, including providing childcare for Key Workers and vulnerable children and disbursing business grants delivered to keep the local economy alive.

Norman Hampshire, Acting Depute Leader, East Lothian Council said:

“I’ve been a Councillor for over 30 years and the last year has been the toughest time that I’ve ever seen for residents, staff and local services. I cannot thank staff and local people enough for their heroic efforts to support our communities during this pandemic.

“Our draft budget focuses on supporting priority services with additional investment in key areas like education and children’s services, including Additional Support for Learning.  

“We know that it continues to be a difficult and challenging time for many families, which is why we are proposing to freeze the Council Tax and Council Rents for the year ahead.

“We’re absolutely determined to continue taking responsible decisions in the best interests of our communities and local services.”

The Labour Administration’s draft budget includes:

In 2021/22 the total Council expenditure will be £256,623 million an increase in spend of £12,719 million from the previous year.

Education & Children’s Services – £140,679 million
Council Resources – £12,058 million
Health & Social Care – £55,695 million
Development – £4,838 million
Infrastructure – £30,194 million
Communities & Partnerships – £48,191 million

Additional Investment
Children’s Service – £1.7 million
Additional Support for Learning – £1 million
Increase in Additional Support for Learning – support & pupil roll over the next three years – £805,000
Primary schools – £1.978 million
Secondary schools – £1.286 million
Business Recovery Investment Fund – £600,000
Information technology – £200,000
Adult Social Care – £1.398 million

Capital Programme
Replacement of play equipment over 5 years – £500,000

Community Projects
Community Intervention funds over next 5 years – £2.5 million
Bleachingfield Centre Remodelling Works – £90,000
Dunbar Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) over 5 years – £692,000
Support for Business over 3 years – £2.184 million
CCTV over 3 years – £361,000
3G Pitch Carpet Replacement Programme – £891,000
Costal Car Park Toilets- £107,000
Core path plan over 5 years – £250,000
New Bins over 5 years – £890,000
Cycling, lights & related costs over 5 years – £715,000
East Linton Rail Stop/Infrastructure – £3.04 million
Roads – £31.135 million
Accelerating Growth – £40.353 million
Brunton Hall – £1.730 million
Haddington Town House – (refurbishment & rewire) – £593,000
Prestongrange Museum  – £599,000
Replacement Children’s Home – £995,000
Residential Care Home Provision (subject to older people review) – £1 million
Sports Centres – £1 million