East Lothian Consultation Hub

We asked tenants for their views on our proposals to increase rents. Financial pressures and inflation continue to be a challenge and we consulted on a minimum 7% increase which would make sure we can deliver our services in 2026/27.

We asked tenants to consider 3 options and tell us what option they preferred, of those who responded:

66% chose option 1 an average weekly increase of 7%

19% chose option 2 an average weekly increase of 8%

13% chose option 3 saying that they would be open to an additional rent increase but no greater than £8 per week.

All the feedback from the consultation has been added to a report to inform Councillors and at a special budget meeting of the Council in February 2026, Councillors will decide what the rent increase for 2026/27 will be.  After this meeting has taken place we will write out to all our tenants advising them of the outcome and the planned increase to their rent charge for 2026/27.

We’d like to thank all the young people, organisations and teams involved in the development of the Youth Vision, including those who took part in the public consultation. Your contributed time, insight, and expertise have helped shape a document that reflects the needs and aspirations of young people.

The Youth Work Strategy was co-developed by young people, youth organisations, East Lothian Council, and key partners.

A Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG) worked with professionals from 2021–2022 to consult peers and draft a Youth Vision. In 2025 a Short Life Working Group undertook consultation and engagement with around 200 young people to revisit the Youth Vision and to find out what young people wanted from Youth Work across East Lothian.

Children and Young People told us they wanted to feel safe, heard and included.

A final draft of the youth Vision was developed and consulted on. 74 young people and 42 adults (youth workers, parents and carers, partners participated in the Autumn 2025 public consultation, leading to final revisions.

The East Lothian Youth Vision was approved by East Lothian Education and Children’s Services Committee in November 2025. The East Lothian Youth Vision is our Strategy for Youth Work over the three years from 2026 to 2029

Link: East Lothian Youth Vision

This document sets out our goals for 2026–2029. It outlines how we will deliver positive impacts for young people, focusing on three core goals:

• Children and young people feel safer in their communities
• Children and young people’s ideas and experiences will be heard, listened to and acted upon
• Children and young people feel included in their communities

To make this happen, we’ll work collaboratively and track progress through an oversight group. Each year, we’ll publish an Impact Report to celebrate achievements, share stories, achievements and reflect on challenges.

One of our first priorities in 2026 will be to work with a group of young people to produce a young person-friendly version for the Youth Vision.

We’d like to thank all the young people, organisations and teams involved in the development of the Youth Vision, including those who took part in the public consultation. Your contributed time, insight, and expertise have helped shape a document that reflects the needs and aspirations of young people.

The Youth Work Strategy was co-developed by young people, youth organisations, East Lothian Council, and key partners.

A Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG) worked with professionals between 2021 and 2022 to consult their peers and draft an initial Youth Vision. In 2025, a Short Life Working Group engaged with around 200 young people to revisit this draft and explore what they wanted from Youth Work across East Lothian.

Children and young people told us they wanted to feel safe, heard, and included.

A revised Youth Vision was then produced and shared for consultation. In Autumn 2025, 74 young people and 42 adults—including youth workers, parents and carers, and partner organisations—took part in the public consultation, leading to final amendments.

The East Lothian Youth Vision was approved by East Lothian Education and Children’s Services Committee in November 2025. The East Lothian Youth Vision is our Strategy for Youth Work over the three years from 2026 to 2029

East Lothian Youth Vision

This document sets out our goals for 2026–2029. It outlines how we will deliver positive impacts for young people, focusing on three core goals:

• Children and young people feel safer in their communities
• Children and young people’s ideas and experiences will be heard, listened to and acted upon
• Children and young people feel included in their communities

To make this happen, we’ll work collaboratively and track progress through an oversight group. Each year, we’ll publish an Impact Report to celebrate achievements, share stories, achievements and reflect on challenges.

One of our first priorities in 2026 will be to work with a group of young people to produce a young person-friendly version for the Youth Vision.