Partnership working will be key to building East Lothian’s economy over the next 10 years, councillors heard at a full meeting of East Lothian Council this week.
Achievements from the last 10-year economy strategy included the council’s acquisition of the former Cockenzie Power Station site; progress made at the Edinburgh Innovation Hub at Queen Margaret University; progress at Blindwells; and the reopening of East Linton railway station.
The new strategy for 2024-2034, agreed at Tuesday’s meeting, follows on from the previous one and will be subject to a mid-term review, in 2028/9. It is built around five key principles that the council and its partners consider fundamental to the area’s economic future:
- Fairness
- Enterprising
- Thriving and Resilient
- Community Wealth Building
- Green and Sustainable
Councillor John McMillan, Cabinet Spokesperson for Environment, Economic Development and Tourism, said: “This is a hugely important piece of work for East Lothian’s future. Council services and actions will be aligned around this strategy to support the continued development of East Lothian’s economy. And while the council will play a major part in overseeing the action plan that will arise from this strategy, we will be working closely with strategic local and national partners to deliver the outcomes.
“I was pleased to note the significant strengths this document, and the research that went along with its development, identified in East Lothian, including; a rapidly growing and well-educated population, a high quality reputation for our food & drink offer, recognition of East Lothian as a high quality visitor destination, natural resources and infrastructure that make the area well placed to target opportunities in renewable energy, a number of important strategic development sites, high quality east–west transport links, and active and engaged private and third sectors.
“Importantly, the strategy recognises that we are in a time when council resources are very tight so we will be looking at new and innovative delivery models and we also recognise the need for partnership and support from the Scottish and UK Governments and other key stakeholders in ensuring that this strategy is a success.”
The strategy has been developed to support the delivery of the national and regional economic development goals and aspirations contained within the UK Growth Plan and Levelling Up agenda, National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET) and Regional Prosperity Framework (RPF), including resilience, wellbeing and fair work, skills for rewarding careers, just transition to net zero, entrepreneurship, productivity, and innovation.
Development of the strategy has been overseen by the Connected Economy Group (CEG), one of the East Lothian Partnership’s strategic groups, and was supported by economic consultants from Stantec UK Ltd.
The concept of Community Wealth Building (CWB) has also been embedded through the strategy. The Scottish Government has adopted the internationally recognised CWB approach to economic development as a key practical means by which progress can be made towards realising their wellbeing economy vision. Key to a CWB approach is ‘anchor’ institutions including large public, private, and third sector groups acting together for the benefit of residents and communities and the environment.
A delivery plan will now be developed, which will set out in detail the actions that the council and its partners will take to support the delivery of the ten-year strategy, how this will be measured and what targets it will seek to achieve.