Ormiston Library is open today (13 December) and had been opening on Mondays and Fridays. However, it will remain closed this Friday (17 December) due to the ongoing shortage of essential staff.
The council is currently facing extreme staffing pressures due to absence levels and a number of key vacancies. Facilities Management, which provides cleaning services for public buildings across the county, is particularly affected.
The decision to temporarily close or reduce opening will mean that staff can focus on the cleaning and safe operation of statutory services – such as schools and care homes.
Other temporary changes previously announced:
- Port Seton Library will stay open on Fridays only.
- John Gray Centre, Haddington – is now closed until 18 December. The closure also affects the library.
- George Johnstone Centre, Tranent – during the week of 13 December, the centre will be open on Monday and Thursday only before re-opening on 20 December. The closure also affects the library.
- A number of public toilets are already closed, or being limited to use of the disabled toilet only, for the same reasons. The busiest toilets remain fully open.
The situation will be kept under review and the council will look to reopen facilities as soon as it is practical to do so.
Tom Reid, Head of Infrastructure at East Lothian Council, said: “I would like to thank council staff for their hard work in keeping key buildings open and also thank members of the public for their continued patience and understanding during this very challenging time.
“The situation will continue to be reviewed on a daily basis with every effort being made, and every option being explored, to return facilities when safe to do so. We will also continue to work closely with affected groups whose planned activities or events may be impacted.”