Clear Futures has worked in partnership with East Lothian Council (ELC) to strategically review twenty nine assets in their portfolio, and support the objectives of growing the economy, people, communities and capacity of the area.
Like many local authorities, the Council needed to make savings in capital and revenue expenditure. With their needs at the heart of our approach, we developed a pathway to empower communities whilst delivering opportunities for significant savings over a four-year period.
Expert data analysis to inform effective decision-making
Bringing in an expert, independent resource for the Council, we have gathered attributable data on these assets, on their condition, how they are used and how they perform.
Creating and analysing a digital asset model allows us, working in partnership with ELC, to understand the estate and develop a robust evidence base to inform decisions..
This process identifies and documents all property and other assets, with associated strategic and operational opportunities and risks. This powerful data model can now be used to underpin ELC’s people and places strategy.
Leading public engagement to support ELCs community
We led a structured engagement process with stakeholders and the East Lothian community, combining both site visits and public engagement meetings. We started with a pilot engagement event and followed this up, incorporating feedback and improvements, with 6 further cluster events.
Themes explored included community influence, asset utilisation, accessibility and inclusion alongside the most significant opportunities and challenges perceived.
“The engagements were uplifting, empowering and brought home the strength of what East Lothian stands for, what it needs by way of services and support and how communities when empowered and enabled can be a powerful important force for good.”
– Tom Reid, Head of Infrastructure
Recommendations to supporting the council’s strategic goals
Clear Futures’ has provided East Lothian Council with evidence-based data on the performance of its assets:
- Condition
- Lifecycle costs
- Asbestos
- Fitness for purpose
- Fire safety
- Disabled access
- Adaptability to net zero
- Climate resilience
We have deepened this with our qualitative, expert support recommending a programme of action to support the Council’s goals.
Having worked in partnership with the Council to create a formal strategic asset management plan, there is now a platform to further develop the process of open public engagement, to ensure that the ELC estate can be optimised in the most effective and appropriate way possible.
This strategic approach ensures that ELC can make well-informed, future-proofed investment decisions that enhance public services and community wellbeing.
Our Partnership with East Lothian Council
Clear Futures and East Lothian Council are working together to identify renewable energy schemes in the local area that will support their transition to net zero.
Clear Futures is providing strategic support and subject matter experts to assist in exploring a range of technologies and opportunities.
Find out more