Stuart Currie - Your Councillor for the Preston, Seton, Gosford Ward

A number of organisations across East Lothian will share council funding of £23,070 to support a range of events or activities that benefit the wellbeing of individuals and communities.

The largest single award for £7,500 to the National Trust for Scotland will enable the Inveresk Lodge Garden to remain open over the course of the year ahead. A further £7,000 has been awarded to the Musselburgh International Hickory Challenge to be held in September as part of the county’s Homecoming celebrations and which is attracting golfers from Scotland, elsewhere in the UK, the USA and Europe.

The Dunbar Traditional Music Festival, Musselburgh Art Club and Elphinstone Miners Welfare, Social and Charitable Club all received grants to support their running costs.

Cllr. Stuart Currie, Cabinet spokesperson for Community Services, said:

“Today’s announcement brings the total amount awarded this financial year, in community wellbeing partnership grants to organisations across East Lothian, to £750,000.  Thanks to prudent financial management of this fund we were able to respond quickly to a request for support from the National Trust for Scotland regarding Inveresk Lodge Garden. This popular visitor attraction will remain open this year and we are working with the NTS to seek a more permanent solution to guarantee the garden’s future.”

East Lothian Council will do more to make sure that tenants with health or mobility issues have better access to the county’s most accessible homes.

The recommendation was approved at a meeting of the Cabinet today and follow a review of the Council’s housing allocations policy.

The Council introduced its new allocations policy in July 2007 to reflect best practice for tenants and meet its legal obligations. Under the new policy, ‘waiting time points’ were removed in favour of a new groups and points system. The new system awards points to applicants based on their housing needs, such as insecurity of tenure or the impact of housing on their health and wellbeing. An annual review is carried out for all applicants to make sure that the information held on their housing needs are  up-to-date.

A public consultation of the allocations policy took place between August and October 2008. All of the comments received were taken forward by an allocations overview group, which brings together council officials, housing staff and tenant representatives from East Lothian Tenants and Residents Panel. Download the Cabinet review paper.

Accessible housing emerged as a key theme during the review. The overview group concluded that it is not possible to ‘ring-fence’ ground floor housing for older people or those with mobility issues as this would breach housing and equalities legislation. Removing these properties from mainstream stock would also increase the waiting time for applicants who need emergency accommodation and who the Council has a legal obligation to re-house.

However, the group found that there is a lack of awareness about the Council’s ‘amenity’ housing stock, which meant that these houses were not being used to their full potential. Amenity properties are more accessible, making them more suited for applicants with health or mobility issues. Demand for amenity housing is lower than expected, even though these properties have additional accessibility features such as lowered light switches or raised electrical sockets.

The overview group agreed that the Council should work to increase awareness of amenity housing and housing options for applicants with health or mobility issues, and also consider building more such houses in any new developments. It was also agreed that the Council should work towards reducing the age limit for amenity housing applications to people aged 55 years and older.  In the meantime the current policy allows the consideration of those aged less than 60 who would benefit from the features of the accommodation where there is no demand.

East Lothian Council’s Cabinet member for Housing and Community Services Councillor Stuart Currie explained:

“Legally, we are not allowed to ring-fence ground floor housing for one particular applicant group. This could lead to ground floor houses lying empty while applicants in desperate housing situations struggle to find a home. Amenity housing can be a more appropriate solution and the review has discovered that this accessible accommodation is not being used to its full potential to help our tenants most in need.”

The review also considered the importance of transfer incentives to create a positive chain of vacancies. An example could be an older couple who choose to downsize their larger Council property to a more manageable home. This, in turn, releases a much-needed property that could transform the lives of a family living in an overcrowded situation.

East Lothian Council has set out its plans for tackling antisocial behaviour in the county with the approval of a new three-year strategy.

The Antisocial Behaviour Strategy 2009-2012 was approved at a meeting of the Cabinet today (9 June 2009) and is a joint Strategy between the Council and Lothian and Borders Police.

The approval of the Strategy follows a four-month consultation open to individuals and groups within the community. The finished Strategy details how the Council and Police will work together with other organisations to reduce antisocial behaviour.

During the four-month consultation period a dedicated email address and telephone number was set up to give individuals and groups a quick and easy way to respond to the draft proposals. Special events were also held with young people to give a more complete picture of the effects that antisocial behaviour has on people of all ages.

The young people took part expressed concerns about the availability of alcohol and drugs in their community. Many of those who took part admitted that they don’t feel safe in their local area in the evenings, and that a more visible police presence would be useful.  A lack of suitable local facilities was also highlighted, although many of the young people praised the support and activities provided by the Bridges Project.

Cabinet member for Housing and Community Services Councillor Stuart Currie said:

“Unfortunately there is a common misconception that antisocial behaviour is solely the preserve of the younger generation. The consultation shows that young people, in fact, share many of the same concerns about crime and personal safety as other generations. It’s heartening that we hold a common desire to introduce improvements that will benefit all in our communities.”

Respondents also highlighted the need to find a balance between support for victims of ASB with rehabilitation of perpetrators to prevent repeat offences, and the positive focus on mediation services as a route to prevent minor neighbour disputes from escalating.

The finished strategy follows four broad themes: prevention, early intervention and diversion, enforcement and rehabilitation. Many of the actions included within the strategy highlight the importance of partnership working, including joint high-visibility patrols between Police and Community Wardens in areas affected by antisocial behaviour, and working with licensees to encourage the responsible sale of alcohol.

Councillor Currie added:

“We have dedicated a lot of resource to tackling antisocial behaviour in the county through the dedicated ASB team, introduction of community wardens and night-time noise teams, funding for the Police East Lothian Community Action and Prestonpans Initiative teams and the CCTV network.”

“This strategy recognises the importance of working together with the many other organisations that exist to have the best chance of success. The views of the public were vital in shaping this strategy and I’d like to thank all those who got involved and shared their experiences.”

Board members of enjoy East Lothian Limited, the new charitable trust which has taken on the management responsibilities and staff of council sports centres and associated facilities met for their first board meeting on Thursday 28th May.

The trust has a board of directors which includes four East Lothian Councillors, and a maximum of eight independent representatives of the local community. The presence of the councillors will provide a continuity of experience and expertise during the transition period and initial years of operation.

Cllr. Stuart Currie, Chair of the Enjoy Board, said:

“The establishment of the new charitable body known as enjoy East Lothian Limited will take on the responsibilities of managing the council sports facilities which are currently managed as SportPlus, part of Community Wellbeing’s responsibilities within the department of Community Services.” 

“The transfer of the operations and staff of SportPlus to this trust offers greater funding opportunities that are not available to local authorities. East Lothian Council is committed to both developing and delivering activities, events and other opportunities that will encourage greater participation in sport and active wellbeing across the county. I strongly believe the new body will greatly enhance opportunities for recreational activities for the residents of East Lothian.”

“The enjoy board combines current elected members of the council and independent representatives of the local community. We were extremely fortunate in the quality of applications for board members and the appointed board combines a considerable wealth of experience at the highest levels of business, leisure and recreation. The discussions of our first board meeting clearly demonstrated the commitment towards delivering exciting prospects for active wellbeing opportunities for everyone in East Lothian.”

A new pilot initiative to beat bogus callers and tackle doorstep distraction crime has been launched in Haddington.

Under the voluntary Nominated Neighbour Scheme, householders of all ages will join forces to vet the identity of doorstep callers to their properties. Householders will direct any unexpected callers to a designated and trusted neighbour, who will verify their identity and reason for visiting. The ‘Nominated Neighbour’ will then escort them back to the original property and wait with the householder during the visit.

Cabinet member for Housing and Community Services Councillor Stuart Currie added:

 ”With the current economic climate, people are seeing their finances under strain but many so-called ‘money saving’ schemes could end up costing a lot more in the long-run. Genuine callers have nothing to fear from this scheme and won’t mind waiting while their identification is checked.”

The Police East Lothian Community Action Team (ELCAT) developed the Scheme, working with East Lothian Council and Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service. 1000 packs will be distributed through the Haddington Police station, Citizens Advice Bureau, sheltered housing complexes and the local library. 

The packs include leaflets for the householder and their neighbour along with a special card directing callers to the nominated neighbour’s address is included, with advice on how to deal with doorstep callers*. Cards should not be displayed permanently, just used whenever an unfamiliar caller approaches the door.

Superintendent Murdo MacIver, East Lothian Area Commander for Lothian and Borders Police, said:

 ”We all have an obligation to make East Lothian as hostile an environment as possible for would-be criminals, particularly those who would seek to target vulnerable people in their homes. This scheme will ensure that only those callers who have legitimate reason for entering homes, will be able to do so. We want to send a message out to bogus workmen and traders, that there are no easy pickings in East Lothian. This scheme will contribute significantly to this and provide continuing reassurance throughout our communities.”

Lothian and Borders Police, working in conjunction with East Lothian Council’s Antisocial Behaviour Team, are running the Nominated Neighbour Scheme. 1000 packs of information will be distributed throughout Haddington explaining the scheme. The packs also include valuable home fire safety advice from Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service as well as an invitation to have a free home safety visit from local fire-fighters who will supply and fit smoke detectors free of charge if they are required. This service is always available by calling free-phone 0800 169 0320.

Tavish Scott MSP, George Lyon and the Scottish Liberal Democrats are working hard to make Scotland a better place to live and work in.

Many people across Scotland are using the elections on 4th June to send the Labour and SNP governments a message that their handling of the economy is not good enough.

Only the Scottish Liberal Democrats are offering a stronger team for Scotland, real change for Scotland in Europe, wanting to work alongside other countries to boost trade, creating new jobs as well as getting stronger action on international crime and climate change.

We need to to be positive about what Scotland and Britain can achieve by working with other countries.

3 reasons to back the Scottish Liberal Democrats on 4th June:

• George Lyon and the strong Scottish team have a record of action and will keep up this good work when elected as our MEP.
• Liberal Democrat MEPs will fight hard for you, to secure action on international crime, creating new jobs and on climate change.
• A vote for the Scottish Liberal Democrats will send a strong message to Gordon Brown and the Labour Party that enough is enough, it’s time for change.