The budget, which was considered at this week’s full council meeting, has been developed in the context of significant ongoing demand and cost pressures arising from East Lothian’s growing population, alongside wider economic challenges.

The cross-party budget proposals that members considered are available to read online. They highlight that changing demographics, growing demand for statutory services and increasing national policy expectations mean that the gap between available funding and expenditure requirements continues to grow, set alongside other pressures facing the whole of the public sector. Despite these significant challenges, the agreed budget enables the council to continue investing in significant priority areas such as adult social care, children’s services and education.

A 10% council tax increase for 2025/26 was agreed. This follows a freeze in the current financial year. For people living in a Band D property, this represents a £2.76 weekly increase – or an additional £11.96 per month. In addition, rents for East Lothian Council tenants will increase by 6.5% from April, an average of £5.25 per week.

Councillors also agreed:

• an increase of £7.5m to the Integrated Joint Board (IJB), which is responsible for the planning and delivery of adult health and social care services
• an additional £1m for council home modernisation
• increase in roads and property renewal budgets of £1m each
• planned savings of £8.9m over the next five years with a commitment to identify further measures to close the budget gap over the medium term.

The council will also continue investing in local infrastructure and schools through its capital programme, whilst helping to support and protect the local environment.

The uplift of £1m to the roads budget in 2025-26 brings overall investment in roads over the next five years to £22.7m.

The capital budget also includes significant investment in the education estate including improvements to security, increasing ASN provision space and the completion of three new primary schools which are due to open in 2025.

East Lothian Council leader Councillor Norman Hampshire said: “Our financial situation means it has been necessary to set a council tax increase of 10%. East Lothian’s growth continues to put pressure on all parts of the council. It is vital that we can sustain essential services to protect our most vulnerable residents and invest in education to give all children the best start in life.

“Even in this most difficult of financial circumstances, we have worked hard to deliver a cross-party budget which is what the people of East Lothian would expect of their elected representatives.”

Leader of the Opposition Councillor Lyn Jardine said: “With the ongoing financial challenges the council is facing, we must continue to focus on directing our resources where they are most needed. It’s essential we do everything we can to tackle poverty and inequality. Local politicians are at the sharp end of decisions that impact directly and it’s extremely difficult to meet increased expectations with reduced resources. We are therefore committed to working in a collaborative way across parties, with our communities and groups and to have difficult conversations and develop a shared purpose and vision in all that we do.”