Keep Safe aims to support disabled, elderly and vulnerable people when out in the community. It is a partnership initiative with Police Scotland and I am me Scotland, a Renfrewshire based charity. Around 40 premises have signed up to the initiative throughout East Lothain, from cafes, banks and libraries, to sports centres and shops. A full list of premises can be found on the free Keep Safe app or on the I am me Scotland website (www.iammescotland.co.uk).

By knowing where these premises are, vulnerable people may be able to feel more confident in being out and about in the community. Keep Safe premises staff are trained by police, and can call police, or a carer/family member/friend, or just a safe space if required.

For more information contact PC Alannah Juchniewicz, Community Planning Officer & PSYV Co-ordinator – East Lothian, Police Scotland on [email protected] or call in at Haddington Police Station, 39-41 Court Street, Haddington.

East Lothian Council (ELC) have a website for reporting missed bin collections, covering recycling bins, green bins and brown bins.

ELC advise to check your collection day first, and once you are confident that the collection has been missed, report the missing collection directly using the buttons on their missed collections website. The missed collections page also provides other useful information about recycling and bin collections.

Alternatively residents can notify ELC Waste Services on 01875 824 305 or by emailing [email protected].

The new Community Windpower Energy Fund is available  to all residents living in East Lothian.  The fund is a partnership between Community Windpower and Advice Direct Scotland, delivering a fund of £1,000,000 to people in East Lothian affected by the cost-of-living crisis.

You do not necessarily have to be in receipt of benefits or be a Council tenant to receive a grant.

For more information on how to make an application please visit the communityadvice.scot/ website

Tues 27th September, 2.30-7.30pm – Fletcher Hall

Countryside development consultants, Urban Animation, working for Lennoxlove Estates, are holding an ‘open door’ day at the Fletcher Hall, East Saltoun from 2.30pm to 7.30pm on Tuesday 27th September. They would like to meet residents of East Saltoun to listen to their ideas for development of the village area.

East Lothian Council is currently formulating a new Local Development Plan (LDP) which will shape the direction of development in the region for the coming years. Part of this process was a Rural Housing Survey carried out earlier this year. Urban Animation’s research in East Saltoun will inform Lennoxlove Estates in their planning and submissions to East Lothian Council. We encourage the community to ensure that the voices of local residents are well understood as part of this process. Do take the opportunity to share your views.