East Lothian Council’s Housing Strategy Team have published the draft version of the Local Housing Strategy (LHS) 2024-2029.
All Local Authorities in Scotland are required to have a LHS. It provides direction for the investment in housing and housing related services, across all tenures over a 5 year period.
This LHS has been developed against a backdrop of unprecedented economic, political and environmental challenges, these include:
This has all come at a time when Local Authority finance is facing acute financial pressures.
We heard from over 1,000 people across East Lothian to help shape the LHS. We were able to reach more people than ever by:
This draft LHS uses what was heard in these events, alongside additional research, local data and policy to best understand the current challenges and the future priorities for housing.
The LHS is underpinned by a strategic vision, 5 priority outcomes and an action plan. These set out the ambition for housing and how to get there, shaped by our consultation. Progress on the actions within the LHS will be reported on yearly.
This survey will ask your thoughts on our strategic vision, priority outcomes and actions within the draft LHS. You will be asked whether you agree or disagree. For information and context to our actions please click ‘about this action’. To read the draft LHS please see the attached documents.
You can also talk to us in person by attending one of our in-person events. These will be held throughout East Lothian. Please see the Event section below for details.
What will happen next?
This draft LHS was signed off during a meeting of East Lothian’s Council’s Cabinet on Tuesday 12th September 2023.
We will be consulting on this draft for 8 weeks through this survey and in-person events. During this time the draft document is subject to a peer review by another local authority and is also reviewed by the Scottish Government.
Once the consultation period has closed on the 3rd of November we will revise the LHS in light of any comments or feedback.
The Proposed LHS 2024-29 will then be submitted to Cabinet for approval in January 2024. Once it has been accepted, it is sent to the Scottish Government who provide feedback on whether it meets the guidance and the standard required.
It is hoped that the LHS will then be officially adopted in April 2024. Once adopted, a number of key Officers and Partners will establish working groups to ensure the actions are carried out. The LHS is then updated and presented to Cabinet yearly to report on progress.
Public consultation on the draft LHS. Musselburgh Communities Day. Fisherrow Centre, Musselburgh
Public consultation on the draft LHS. Haddington Primary School, Upper Hall, Haddington.
Public consultation on the draft LHS. Chalmers Memorial Church, Main Hall, Prestonpans/Cockenzie
Public consultation on the draft LHS. Bleachingfield Centre, Dunbar
Public consultation on the draft LHS. The Fraser Centre, Tranent,
Public consultation on the draft LHS. Hope Rooms, North Berwick.
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