At a meeting of the council’s cabinet, elected members approved a new Community Benefit Subsidised Lease Policy, which provides a clear and transparent framework for leasing council-owned land and buildings at less than market rent where demonstrable community benefit can be delivered.

The policy sets out who is eligible for a subsidised lease, how applications will be assessed, and how rent discounts will be determined. At its core is a requirement for organisations to clearly demonstrate the community benefits their proposal will deliver, alongside evidence of strong governance, financial sustainability, and local accountability.

Discounts on market rent will be linked directly to the level of community benefit provided. Where the social value of outcomes exceeds the market rent, a full discount may be applied.

The policy applies to operational, surplus, and Common Good properties used for service delivery, but excludes routine hall and room hire and assets held primarily for strategic investment purposes.

The policy will support initiatives linked to the council’s ongoing placemaking project as well as applying more widely to future leasing arrangements.

Clear review and monitoring arrangements are built into the policy to ensure agreed community outcomes continue to be delivered over the life of the lease.

Councillor Colin McGinn, cabinet spokesperson for community wellbeing and sport, countryside and leisure, said: “We are pleased to approve this new policy, which has been developed to ensure the council continues to meet its legal duties around best value, while also supporting communities to make greater use of local assets.

“Our hope is that this will further empower some of the fantastic local groups and organisations we have in East Lothian by giving them the opportunity to take on the running of land and buildings for the benefit of their community.”