Work to explore creating core library/area and community hubs is to be progressed by East Lothian Council.
Council officers have been carrying out a project to review properties that deliver, or have the potential to deliver, general face-to-face services. This has featured engagement with community partners, the public and building users.
Work has included looking at potential for bringing services together under one roof where the public can speak either face-to-face with an advisor or through enhanced digital connectivity, access a library, computers and bookable rooms.
Key proposals
At Tuesday’s full meeting of East Lothian Council, councillors agreed that further local engagement on a community-by-community basis, which is expected to take place throughout 2026.
No decisions on proposals for any buildings have been made at this time.
Councillors also agreed that:
- Officers will develop an outline business case to present options and costings for the creation of six core library and area hubs
- Officers will consider alternative service delivery models at some existing libraries, community centres and village halls – including Haddington and Dunbar town houses - in partnership with local communities
- Work will take place to establish the feasibility of relocating North Berwick Youth Project to a former nursery adjacent to North Berwick Community Centre
Library and area hubs
Based on previous community feedback and engagement, it is proposed that a network of library and area hubs, generally located within the largest town of each local area, is created. These would bring together face-to-face and information services under one roof to improve service delivery through a trauma informed approach, including library provision. These would be designed as accessible facilities with good access to public transport and support footfall for local businesses.
Rural library premises could be made available to consider and explore alternative delivery of library services with increased community use and management. These would be East Linton Library, Ormiston Library, Gullane Library, Longniddry Library and Port Seton Library. Before making any changes affecting libraries, a statutory consultation would be carried out.
Dunbar’s Bleachingfield Centre and Tranent’s George Johnstone Centre are models for how library and area hubs could be developed elsewhere in East Lothian at existing buildings such as North Berwick Library and Coastal Communities Museum, Prestonpans Library and John Muir House, Haddington. Feasibility work to develop Musselburgh Old Town Hall into a library and area hub is also to take place.
The council will also engage with community organisations to assess the viability of a community asset transfer for Haddington Town House, with the council chambers potentially being incorporated within John Muir House.
Consideration will also be required of potential provision to meet future needs at Wallyford and Blindwells.
Separately, councillors agreed in August that work on ensuring accommodation for the arts in Musselburgh and exploring opportunities to finance a replacement of the Brunton Hall is to progress.
Community hubs
It is proposed that communities have the opportunity to take on greater responsibility for operation and possibly ownership of some community centres and village halls, with officers keen to support groups in building the necessary skills and capacity. Buildings which offer the potential for a revised operating model are Macmerry Village Hall, Ormiston Community Centre, Trevelyan Hall in Pencaitland, Nungate and Haddington Community Centre, Haddington Town House, Whitecraig Village Hub, North Berwick Community Centre, Gullane Recreation Hall, Longniddry Community Centre and Library, Pennypit Centre in Prestonpans, Port Seton Centre and Library and Prestonpans Community Centre.
Feedback on Dunbar Town House has indicated a community desire to unlock benefits from greater commercialisation of the building, with there being tremendous potential for visual arts activity.
‘Opportunities’
Council Leader, Norman Hampshire, said:
“In continuing to provide valued services to local communities and meet the needs of local residents, it’s important to ensure that we maintain good quality, well used facilities within local communities, offering modern and flexible facilities.
“Through potential new approaches, there could be opportunities to empower local communities while ensuring we operate buildings in as sustainable and efficient a way possible. In some circumstances, it might be appropriate for groups to lease buildings, to pursue community asset transfer or look at opportunities with community planning partners and others.
“This has the potential to help the council address some of the budgetary challenges we face, with rising demand for services and increased costs at the same time as our government grant, which makes up around 75% of income, falls in real terms.
“That’s why we have already approved a number of savings which, including £3.6m from reducing current operational running costs, alongside £23.4m capital receipts.
“I would encourage as many people as possible to participate in the next stages of this place making project. More information on how to get involved will become available in the months ahead.”
The place making report considered by councillors can be viewed on the council website.