Your community news

Brunton Hall update

A report regarding the condition of the Brunton Hall in Musselburgh will be presented to elected members at the full meeting of East Lothian Council on Tuesday, 29 October.

Published 22nd October 2024.

East Lothian Archaeology & Heritage Fortnight 2024

A series of events and activities to celebrate the richness of East Lothian’s cultural heritage and archaeology will run from 31 August to 15 September.

Published 13th August 2024.

Marking Armed Forces Week 2024

The Armed Forces Flag is being proudly flown over the council’s offices in Haddington in recognition of the county’s support for its Armed Forces community.

Published 24th June 2024.

£2.6m funding awarded to local groups

Voluntary and third sector groups, Community Councils and Area Partnerships across East Lothian have been awarded over £2.6m to support their work within communities.

Published 30th May 2024.

Pop-up shop to open for Dunbar Civic Week

A pop-up shop hosting talks, workshops and activities about Dunbar and its high street is coming to the town as part of Civic Week 2024.

Published 28th May 2024.

Review of Parliamentary Polling Districts and Polling Places

Have your say on availability and accessibility of Polling Places

Published 4th December 2023.

Applications open for grant funding

Applications are now being invited for a fund that supports local community groups, charities and third sector organisations with revenue grant funding.

Published 30th October 2023.

Consultation cafes to shape future Preston Seton Gosford priorities

A series of consultation cafe events will be held in Preston Seton Gosford in the coming weeks to give local residents the chance to inform the area’s future.

Published 29th September 2023.

Margaret Oliphant library opens in new home

Margaret Oliphant Library has officially opened in its new home in Wallyford Learning Campus.

Published 29th September 2023.

Residents to vote on PSG funding priorities

People who live in Preston, Seton and Gosford are being asked for their views on how to spend over £10,000 of council funds for improvements in their area.

Published 25th August 2023.

Help make Fa'side even better

Fa’side Area Partnership is holding a series of events in local venues to find out what is needed to make the area even better.

Published 1st August 2023.

Paying tribute to county's volunteers

Volunteer Week takes place 1 - 7 June 2023.

Published 1st June 2023.

Preston Tower milestone is reached

A significant milestone in an ongoing heritage project at historic Preston Tower in Prestonpans has been reached.

Published 29th May 2023.

£2.9m funding for community groups

Voluntary and third sector groups, Community Councils and Area Partnerships across East Lothian have been awarded over £2.9m to support their work within communities.

Published 27th April 2023.

Update on use of Haddington Town House

Haddington Town House will only be used as a venue for meetings of East Lothian Council and its committees until further notice.

Published 26th April 2023.

Council’s Telecare Service achieves gold award

Independent evaluation of telecare service rates East Lothian as providing 'gold' standard

Published 5th April 2023.

The Brunton - update

Update regarding structural issues identified at the Brunton in Musselburgh.

Published 21st March 2023.

Preston Tower project progressing

Progress continues to be made with a £1.1m project to repair and refurbish the stonework and surrounding gardens at the historic Preston Tower in Prestonpans. 

Published 20th March 2023.

One Council Funding opens

Community groups and organisations across the county can apply for funding for activities and initiatives that will benefit their area during financial year 2023/24. 

Published 4th November 2022.

The Queen’s Green Canopy to be extended

People living in East Lothian are being given a further opportunity to plant trees in their community as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC).

Published 20th September 2022.

Launch of Your Police 2022-23 survey

Police Scotland has launched its Your Police 2022-23 survey.

Published 20th July 2022.

Preston Tower enhancements moving forward

Work on improvements at historic Preston Tower and gardens in Prestonpans is progressing well.

Published 7th July 2022.

Council moves to 'recovery' phase of COVID-19 pandemic

East Lothian Council has declared that it is moving into the ‘recovery’ phase of the COVD-19 pandemic but highlighted that services continue to face a number of significant challenges.

Published 13th June 2022.

Backing for East Lothian Good Food Charter

An initiative which seeks to tackle food poverty and promote healthy produce has been endorsed by East Lothian Council.

Published 25th May 2022.

Partnership working to address antisocial behaviour challenges

Police Scotland, East Lothian Council and other local partners are continuing to work together in addressing the antisocial behaviour of a small minority of young people within Preston Seton Gosford.

Published 11th February 2022.

Further reopening of community facilities

Phased reopening of various community buildings

Published 20th January 2022.

Plans in place for public buildings amid COVID-19 concerns

Contingency plans for the safe operation of public buildings from January have been developed as a result of rising COVID-19 infection levels and concerns regarding the Omicron variant.

Published 20th December 2021.

Weather warning

Met Office forecast suggesting strong winds affecting East Lothian

Published 26th November 2021.

Achievements of advice consortium highlighted in annual report

The benefits of a service to provide East Lothian residents with free, impartial advice on issues such as income maximisation and debt have been highlighted in a new report.

Published 25th November 2021.

16 days of activism

Partners across East Lothian and Midlothian have joined forces to tackle gender-based violence as part of a worldwide campaign. 

Published 25th November 2021.

Young people elected to Scottish Youth Parliament

Young people across East Lothian have been campaigning for votes to become Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs).

Published 25th November 2021.

Temporary public toilet changes

Public access at a number of East Lothian public toilets is being temporarily limited from Monday, 15 November due to an ongoing shortage of staff.

Published 12th November 2021.

Remembrance Day 2021

Remembrance ceremonies will be held across East Lothian on Sunday.

Published 11th November 2021.

Meet Callum

11am on Armistice Day is a moment when the nation comes together to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who have served our country.

Published 10th November 2021.

Council grants for communities - applications now open

Community groups encouraged to apply for grant funding

Published 26th October 2021.

Community council elections

Elections will take place next month in three community council areas – Pencaitland, Haddington and District (Ward 1) and Garvald and Morham.

Published 23rd September 2021.

New Chair for Dunbar & East Linton Area Partnership

Jacquie Bell has been elected as Dunbar and East Linton’s Area Partnership’s new Chair.

Published 22nd September 2021.

Scottish Half Marathon 2021

Scottish Half Marathon, Sunday 19 September 2021

Published 16th September 2021.

Deadline for nominations ahead of community council elections in East Lothian

Local people interested in becoming a member of their local community council still have another week to put themselves forward for election.

Published 9th September 2021.

East Lothian Council’s first Community Asset transfer approved

Dunbar-based charity The Ridge has purchased Black Bull Close and Backlands Garden in the town from East Lothian Council in the county’s first Community Asset Transfer (CAT).

Published 6th September 2021.

Official opening of Ormiston Pump Track

A fun-filled community event has been organised to mark the official opening of East Lothian’s first specialist track for biking and skateboarding. The event will take place from 3pm this Sunday.

Published 3rd September 2021.

BEM investiture for East Lothian resident

A longstanding council employee whose work has transformed East Lothian’s green spaces has been honoured by HM The Queen with the presentation of his British Empire Medal (BEM).

Published 17th August 2021.

Restoration work up and running at historic Preston Tower

The first stage of restoration work at historic Preston Tower is underway.

Published 5th July 2021.

Lasting legacy of Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme in the county

Award scheme has provided local young people with opportunities to support their communities

Published 16th April 2021.

Project team planning enhancements to historic Preston Tower

Plans for restoration work at historic Preston Tower are taking shape.

Published 22nd March 2021.

Making heritage connections in Preston Seton Gosford

Update on Salt of the Earth project

Published 22nd March 2021.

Meet Claire! Collections Office and Covid Vaccination Nurse

Meet Claire Collections Officer and Covid Vaccination Nurse.

Published 5th March 2021.

New support for volunteering in East Lothian

East Lothian Council and Volunteer Centre East Lothian (VCEL) have announced a new initiative to support volunteering and assist the people and communities of East Lothian.

Published 5th February 2021.

Community Wardens help to deliver some Christmas cheer!

Community Wardens help to collect donations for Foodbank

Published 1st December 2020.

Spaces for People funding to improve path access at Hallhill

Opening up route to improve access

Published 4th November 2020.

One Council Partnership Funding - applications now open

Community groups can now apply for grant funding from East Lothian Council to help support their community resilience efforts as the COVID-19 pandemic challenges continue

Published 30th October 2020.

Council issues new COVID–19 guidance for Community Events Planning

Updated covid-19 advice provided to organisers of public events

Published 4th September 2020.

COVID-19 Council update: Access to community buildings & conduct of community meetings

Community groups advised on continued restrictions to halls and centres

Published 4th September 2020.

New energy collaboration to tackle fuel poverty in East Lothian

East Lothian Council has launched East Lothian Energy in association with People's Energy. This initiative offers a special variable and fixed tariff discount, exclusively for residents.

Published 20th August 2020.

Meet Ellie!

Meet Ellie - who is a volunteer in the Resilence Team for Cockenzie and Port Seton.

Published 1st June 2020.

Ensuring a major development area in East Lothian brings maximum community benefit – public consultation goes live

A public consultation is now underway on plans to ensure a major area of development in the county can become a national example of environmentally-friendly and inclusive development.

Published 27th May 2020.

Council makes pitch for National Development status

East Lothian Council presses for new area developments such as Blindwells to be designated by Ministers as National Development.

Published 14th May 2020.

VE Day 75th anniversary

Friday 8 May is the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day when World War 2 came to an end.

Published 6th May 2020.

Caring for communities: volunteers rise to the challenge

Groups across East Lothian have risen to the challenge of caring for their communities during the current Coronavirus outbreak. 

Published 5th May 2020.

Supporting residents with food during covid-19

Charities, Area Partnerships, local Resilience Groups, businesses and individual volunteers have joined together across East Lothian to ensure local people struggling to access food can do so.

Published 30th April 2020.

Support for people asked to carry out 'shielding'

Those who are clinically at high risk if infected with Coronavirus (COVID-19) are in the process of receiving letters from the Scottish Government asking them to carry out ‘shielding’ for a period of 12 weeks.

Published 2nd April 2020.

Coronavirus: message for community groups 18 March

Please find below a statement sent on behalf of Alison Macdonald and Sharon Saunders:

Published 18th March 2020.

New sports hall extension takes shape

Work is progressing well on the new £1.094m extension to Port Seton Community Centre with the foundations in place and the steel frame complete.

Published 15th January 2020.

Launch event for East Lothian Friendly Food Network

Do you work or volunteer in a local project that brings people together to eat, grow or share food?

Published 2nd October 2019.

Beat the Street gets underway this week in East Lothian!

Residents in Musselburgh and Preston, Seton, Gosford areas are being encouraged to pick up a card and join in the Beat the Street challenge that kicked off today.

Published 11th September 2019.

Report highlights firm focus on addressing child poverty issues

A new report setting out actions to reduce child poverty in East Lothian has been agreed by councillors at a Cabinet meeting today.

Published 10th September 2019.

East Lothian school pupils to help choose name for East Lothian's new town

East Lothian primary and secondary school pupils have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to help choose the name for the county's first ever new town.

Published 6th September 2019.

Are you ready to Beat the Street?

A number of East Lothian's towns will be transformed into a giant game this Autumn as residents are encouraged to get walking and cycling for Beat the Street.

Published 4th September 2019.

Free access to sanitary products in East Lothian

Free sanitary products are being made available across East Lothian to support girls and women who struggle to afford costs associated with their monthly period. 

Published 30th August 2019.

Minister for Veterans visits new development for ex service personnel

Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans, Graeme Dey MSP, has visited a development for disabled veterans being built at Osborne Terrace, Cockenzie.

Published 6th August 2019.

Meet Ruth!

Ruth is part of the team at Pennypit Community Development Trust and a well-known figure in the Prestonpans area.

Published 31st July 2019.

Historic army regiment to receive Freedom of East Lothian

Councillors in East Lothian have unanimously agreed to grant the Freedom of the county to Lothians and Border Yeomanry. The decision was taken at a full council meeting yesterday.

Published 15th May 2019.

New Area Plan from North Berwick Coastal Area Partnership

The North Berwick Coastal Area is a great place and by working together we can make it even better for everyone in our wide and diverse community. I believe we can achieve this because our Area Partnership is rich in passionate people who care deeply about their community and want everyone to experience the joy of being here.

Published 1st May 2019.

New Area Plan from Preston Seton Gosford Area Partnership.

“People have a strong sense of place and belonging and there is a real community spirit in Prestonpans, Cockenzie, Port Seton and Longniddry. We aim to protect, harness and build on the positive outlook people have about where they live. We all work together to be a welcoming community where everyone is valued.”

Published 1st May 2019.

Local Development Plan commended in national award

East Lothian Council’s Local Development Plan (LDP) has been commended at a prestigious planning industry awards ceremony.

Published 29th April 2019.

'Brown April' declared a success

Dog fouling targeted in council initiative

Published 16th April 2019.

Innovative Peer Flatmate scheme gets the go-ahead

East Lothian Council has been awarded £307,000 funding to develop an innovative Peer Flatmate Scheme aimed at improving options for care-experienced young people by pairing them up with local students

Published 2nd April 2019.

Major mixed-use development at Old Craighall gets planning permission

Planning permission in principle has been granted for a mixed use development at Old Craighall, Musselburgh.

Published 26th March 2019.

Generations Working Together success for East Lothian groups

Intergenerational work in East Lothian was recognised at a recent awards ceremony.

Published 22nd March 2019.

Musselburgh Flood Protection Scheme Open Day

Open Day on Tuesday 26 February at the Brunton

Published 21st February 2019.

Free Community Asset Transfer training – Musselburgh, 16 March 2019

A free training opportunity to learn about the new powers communities have to take ownership of land and buildings.

Published 14th February 2019.

Learn to spot the signs of financial harm

Is your money safe? East Lothian and Midlothian Public Protection Committee tackles Financial Harm.

Published 11th February 2019.