East Lothian Council to pay nearly £50,000 to rent office space in own building
East Lothian Council has agreed a ten-year lease of offices in the Fisherrow Centre, Musselburgh, at an annual cost of £47, 560, to house staff from the town's Brunton Hall which is facing demolition.
Control of the community centre was handed to the Fisherrow Trust last year after the local authority agreed a 99 year lease of the whole building with the charity.
Now a report to elected members has revealed that they have signed a deal to use some of its offices for their own staff.
The report says the move is part of work to relocate staff working in the Brunton, which saw its main theatre close over two years ago after the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in its roof panels.
The results of a public consultation on the future of the building is expected to go before councillors later this month with demolition one of the options being considered.
The report to members said the council's justice social work team currently work in the hall and need to move to alternative accommodation which meets the needs of the department in terms of size and location.
It said: 'Space within the Fisherrow Centre located on South Street in Musselburgh has been identified as suitable space for the needs of justice social work.
'Fisherrow Community Centre is owned by the council and leased to Fisherrow Trust on a 99-year lease. Fisherrow Trust has agreed to
relocate current tenants occupying an area of the building, and to lease it to the council, allowing the council to carry out appropriate fit out works to provide an operational office specification, which can only be accessed by justice social work via secure entry doors.'
The agreement involves leasing 4014 square feet of office space for ten year with a review in five years time.
By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
Like this:
Like
Related
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Edinburgh Reporter
2 days ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Listed house owner bids for permission to grow vegetables
The owners of a listed house have applied for planning permission to create a working fruit and vegetable garden in its grounds. Plans to create a working domestic garden on the site of a former greenhouse in a walled garden space at Rosedate, on the edge of Rosewell, have been lodged with Midlothian planners. Rosedale was once the home of Archibald Hood, an entrepreneur who began mining at Whitehill Colliery in 1856 and established the colliery village of Rosewell before going on to set up collieries in Wales. The property is Category C listed and its current owners have applied for Listed Building Consent to change the landscaping around the house to incorporate the new kitchen gardens. It says the changed will 'improve the existing landscaping around the address and create a working vegetable garden on the site of the greenhouse base.' Concrete paving around the house will be replaced by limestone which it says is more in keeping with the house itself and new gravel pathways will replace old broken tarmac paths. The design statement for the new plans says: 'The location of the old greenhouse base is to be used for a new domestic sized greenhouse and a fruit cage will be installed next to, but not attached to, the old garden wall. 'The rest of the garden is to be improved with a mix of lawns, ornamental planting, trees and a wildlife pond.' The plans are currently available to view on the Midlothian Council planning portal. By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
3 days ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Short term let owner says investment saved ‘neglected' building
A short term let operator claims his investment in a 'neglected' town centre flat saved it from damaging the surrounding conservation area. Jitendra Naran, who lives in Sandford, Oxfordshire, has appealed to Scottish Ministers to intervene after East Lothian Council ordered him to stop using the flat on Dunbar High Street as a holiday let. But while East Lothian planners said the short term rental was not compatible with residential living in the property, Mr Naran has appealed saying the flat contributes to the local economy and improved the look of the building. In an appeal statement, he said: 'Significant investment has gone into refurbishing this long neglected property to bring it up to modern standards. 'Had the flat remained in its previous condition, it risked becoming detrimental to the conservation area. Instead, it is now an attractive, well-managed residence that contributes positively to Dunbar's town centre. 'There are a couple of other flats inhabited and one currently unsold recently coming to the market.' Mr Naran has appealed to Scottish Ministers to reject an enforcement notice served by the council after planners rejected a retrospective application for a change of use of the flat from residential to short term let. Planners said the use of the top floor flat in the Category B listed building as a short term holiday let was ' incompatible with and harmful to the amenity of the occupiers of the properties within the residential building'. However Mr Naran said he had appealed against the decision through the council;s Local Review system but received no reply. He has asked Scottish Ministers to reject the enforcement notice issued by the council and seek 'clarification' over reasons for the refusal and demand to stop operating. In his appeal to the council he said that the flat had been used during the pandemic to support key workers and he had worked with local businesses and community to build a relationship providing the accommodation for professionals who needed accommodation in the town. He urged Ministers to intervene saying he was willing to work with the council to find a solution adding: 'I remain fully open to working with the council to regularise the works through retrospective consent or minor amendments, if necessary. 'My request is for a balanced and reasonable approach that reflects the improvements made and the broader public benefit. This matter should be resolved constructively, not punitively.' The appeal has lodged by the Scottish Government Reporter on the DPEA appeal website. By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
3 days ago
- Edinburgh Live
East Lothian holiday flat operator says he saved 'neglected' property
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A short term let operator claims his investment in a 'neglected' town centre flat saved it from damaging the surrounding conservation area. Jitendra Naran, who lives in Sandford, Oxfordshire, has appealed to Scottish Ministers to intervene after East Lothian Council ordered him to stop using the flat on Dunbar High Street as a holiday let. But while East Lothian planners said the short term rental was not compatible with residential living in the property, Mr Naran has appealed saying the flat contributes to the local economy and improved the look of the building. In an appeal statement, he said: "Significant investment has gone into refurbishing this long neglected property to bring it up to modern standards. "Had the flat remained in its previous condition, it risked becoming detrimental to the conservation area. Instead, it is now an attractive, well-managed residence that contributes positively to Dunbar's town centre. "There are a couple of other flats inhabited and one currently unsold recently coming to the market." Mr Naran has appealed to Scottish Ministers to reject an enforcement notice served by the council after planners rejected a retrospective application for a change of use of the flat from residential to short term let. Planners said the use of the top floor flat in the Category B listed building as a short term holiday let was " incompatible with and harmful to the amenity of the occupiers of the properties within the residential building". However Mr Naran said he had appealed against the decision through the council;s Local Review system but received no reply. He has asked Scottish Ministers to reject the enforcement notice issued by the council and seek 'clarification' over reasons for the refusal and demand to stop operating. In his appeal to the council he said that the flat had been used during the pandemic to support key workers and he had worked with local businesses and community to build a relationship providing the accommodation for professionals who needed accommodation in the town. He urged Ministers to intervene saying he was willing to work with the council to find a solution adding: "I remain fully open to working with the council to regularise the works through retrospective consent or minor amendments, if necessary. "My request is for a balanced and reasonable approach that reflects the improvements made and the broader public benefit. This matter should be resolved constructively, not punitively." The appeal has lodged by the Scottish Government Reporter on the DPEA appeal website.
