Local residents can have their say on potential new ways in which council buildings could be used to deliver face-to-face services at a series of upcoming drop-in sessions.
The council is carrying out a place making project to review properties that deliver, or have the potential to deliver, general face-to-face services. This includes buildings that offer customer facilities where the public can speak face-to-face with an advisor, libraries with access to computers, bookable rooms and buildings which have the potential to be a community hub.
While there are no plans to stop or reduce these services, new approaches to the operation of buildings could help ensure the council has good quality, well used assets within local communities offering modern and flexible facilities to meet the needs of local residents.
This could be achieved by using buildings differently, for example in some communities co-locating services which might currently be delivered from different buildings under one roof.
There could also be opportunities for communities to take over the running of some buildings – such as by leasing them, community asset transfer or looking at opportunities with community planning partners and others.
Paper copies of the questionnaire will be available in libraries.
Respondents are being asked about their use of buildings, what works well and what services could be provided in future.
Events
Drop-in events, when people will have the opportunity to review building information and provide feedback, will be held at:
- Bleachingfield Centre, Dunbar: Tuesday, 10 June from 2-5pm
- John Gray Centre, Haddington: Wednesday, 11 June from 2-5pm
- Prestonpans Library: Friday, 13 June from 2-5pm
- Musselburgh Library: Monday, 16 June from 2-7pm
- George Johnstone Centre, Tranent: Tuesday, 17 June from 2-5pm
- North Berwick Library: Thursday, 19 June from 2-7pm
Engagement
Workshops with community organisations, including key building stakeholders, have already taken place to discuss the principle of these approaches and hear views on the opportunities and challenges faced for community buildings.
The current questionnaire is intended to build on the information gathered during these workshops.
Based on independent analysis and the community feedback, the council will develop proposals for ways in which buildings can be used differently to maintain services. A report would be submitted to councillors for approval before any changes are made. There will also be discussion with community planning partners.
The place making project is in line with the council’s Property Asset Strategy and Management Plan, which was published in June 2024 and will take account of evidence-based data analysis including building usage. Other information such as building condition, energy performance, fitness of purpose, proximity to alternative service provision and adaptability to net zero carbon will also be taken into account.
Savings requirement
The council has approved a number of savings which includes £3.6m from reducing current operational running costs, alongside £23.4m capital receipts. In order to support these challenges, it is hoped this placed based asset review will ensure the council operates good quality and well utilised buildings with modern facilities in a sustainable and efficient way.
Tom Reid, Head of Infrastructure, said:
“After holding workshops with community organisations including those who use local buildings, the upcoming workshops are an opportunity to listen to the views of residents within our communities.
“While there are no specific proposals at this time, getting feedback can help us to develop options for the use of buildings which enable us to achieve a balanced budget whilst delivering high-quality services.
“In what is a very difficult financial climate for local government generally, East Lothian Council is required to deliver previously agreed budget savings on its use of buildings. While we have already taken steps to reduce office space that is no longer required, there is more work to do.
“We are focused on continuing to provide the face-to-face public services which local residents require, at the heart of our communities. We need to identify smarter ways of accommodating these services, so that any space which is surplus to requirements can be identified and considered for the potential creation of community hubs, where some services can be co-located under one roof.”