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The Herald Scotland
8 hours ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
'Torness has to close: but we'd welcome a new reactor'
Currently, about 550 full-time EDF employees are based at the nuclear power station, with a further 180 full-time contract partners. That makes the power station among the largest employers in the south-east of Scotland. However, the station will stop generating power in less than five years' time. Already, EDF has confirmed that various career opportunities will be available for those employed at the power station, located off the A1. Councillor Norman Hampshire, leader of East Lothian Council (Image: Contributed) Councillor Norman Hampshire (Labour) has represented the area for more than 30 years and was part of the construction team at the power station when he was first elected in 1988. The East Lothian Council leader said: 'Torness is close to my heart. 'I have two sons-in-law who work in the station and it is really their job; if Torness was not there, they would likely have to travel away from here. 'Both are engineers and I had a grandson who was there as well. 'He is an electrical engineer as well and he has taken a year out and is away living in Australia, but his job is there for him when he comes back. 'The family connection is really strong and Torness is of huge, huge importance to the Dunbar economy but also the East Lothian economy as a whole with people working there.' He described it as 'a huge blow' if the county were to lose the power station and pointed to the increasing demand for electricity across the country. Mr Hampshire said that this would only continue and said nuclear power was able to provide electricity '24 hours a day, seven days a week'. He called for a greater examination of a new nuclear facility, such as a modular reactor, being created on the site. He said: 'We have made that quite clear to EDF when we have been speaking to them. 'We would support a new conventional nuclear power station. 'Rolls Royce have now been appointed by Government to deliver modular reactors in the UK. 'They have got a test site somewhere south of the Border and we would support a modular reactor to be delivered at Torness. 'If it were possible to get a new conventional station, we would support that, but we need the Scottish Government to change its current stance against any new nuclear. 'We have got a real issue that in the future we are going to have a lot of renewable energy but, when we have no wind, then the country will be struggling to keep the lights on, unless we can import power from south of the Border, and that is not the way we should be looking to develop our energy system.' Councillor Donna Collins (Image: Contributed) Councillor Donna Collins (Conservative) lives on the opposite side of the A1 from the power station and described its impact on employment in the area as 'massive'. She said: 'You see a line of cars coming out of Dunbar in the morning. 'It is a massive employer. 'I think they really need to look at how they can retain as many people as possible for decommissioning.' Nuclear power stations at Hunterston B and at Sellafield in Cumbria are among the stations to have stopped generating power in recent years. Mrs Collins said: 'It is learning lessons from those decommissioning projects and making sure mistakes are not made here and it is as smooth as possible, any way they can move people to other jobs and they can minimise redundancies.' Finally, Councillor Lyn Jardine (SNP), who also represents the Dunbar and East Linton ward, described Torness as 'a fairly significant employer'. Councillor Lyn Jardine (Image: Contributed) The leader of the opposition on East Lothian Council said: 'Having been there a couple of times and being something of an engineering geek myself, I am aware that the vast majority of jobs are general engineering jobs rather than specific to the nuclear industry. 'I would hope there would be significant opportunities for the workforce to retrain or direct their skillset – and they have a huge skillset – especially if you look at the extent we have got renewable energy coming into the area as well, I would hope there is a bit of a crossover. 'Torness has to decommission, which will happen over a period of several years.' Douglas Alexander (Labour), Lothian East MP, echoed Mr Hampshire's calls for further consideration to be given for new nuclear facilities in Scotland. Douglas Alexander, Lothian East MP (Image: UK Parliament) He said: 'Clearly, Torness has been a significant local employer, providing many hundreds of skilled jobs and apprenticeships for people in Dunbar and the wider area since 1988. 'It also supports further jobs and the local economy through its supply chain and use of contract workers. 'As it approaches the end of its lifetime, many staff at Torness will be involved in the process of defuelling and decommissioning the plant, which will take several years. 'EDF has experience of this at other sites, including Hunterston B, and I'm sure it will be working with trade unions and other partners to support staff through the various phases of its closure in the coming years. 'However, I also hope to see a change in the Scottish Government's current block on new nuclear projects in Scotland to allow for the possibility of the Torness site having a longer-term future in providing skilled jobs and generating clean, consistent nuclear power.' Paul McLennan, East Lothian MSP, is looking for a focus on the renewables sector (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) However, Paul McLennan (SNP), East Lothian's MSP, stressed that the Scottish Government would focus on renewable energy, rather than nuclear power. He said: 'The SNP think the investment is much better placed in areas of renewable energy, which is cheaper to produce and is also cheaper for consumers. 'I am aware of figures around 450-500 staff being employed at Torness, in addition to contractors. 'In 2021, when I was elected, I set up the East Lothian Energy Forum meeting with renewable energy providers and local companies looking to benefit from the growth of renewables, such as Sunamp and HadFab in East Lothian amongst others who have seen an increase in their employment. 'I meet with Torness station manager Paul Forrest on a regular basis as we move towards 2030. 'Paul managed the process of closing Hunterston, which was managed very well. 'We discuss the role of EDF, enterprise agencies and Scottish Government in that process. 'Torness are also part of the East Lothian Energy Forum. 'EDF also has a renewables division, where with them, EDF and others, we are looking at the opportunities for hydrogen in East Lothian.' A spokesperson for EDF pointed to what happened at Hunterston B in Ayrshire as it approached the end of its life. They said: 'During defueling at Hunterston B, people were trained to take on project management roles, which the station needs more of now. 'People have also been supported to gain additional qualifications in HGV driving or electrical skills which are needed on site during defueling but can also be used to build a career outside of the nuclear industry. 'Now Hunterston B is getting ready to transfer to Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), there are further opportunities for retraining to take on jobs the station will need during decommissioning like health physicists and waste technicians. 'We expect to see the same kinds of opportunities at Torness when it reaches this stage.'
Edinburgh Reporter
13-05-2025
- Edinburgh Reporter
Overnight parking at a popular East Lothian beauty spot to be removed
Overnight parking at a popular East Lothian beauty spot will be removed after councillors admitted they did not have the resources to stop it being abused. The three spaces at Shore Road, Belhaven, brought in over £3,500 in revenue for East Lothian Council last year but also sparked a wave of complaints from local residents who said visitors urinated in public and left their sewage and litter behind them. A meeting of East Lothian Council's Labour administration cabinet today approved a proposal to remove the bays with council leader Norman Hampshire saying the local authority would continue to look for alternative places for motor homes to stop.. The bays were introduced two years ago alongside three overnight bays at Yellowcraig car park near North Berwick as a trial. The Yellowcraig bays will remain and be made permanent. Councillor Hampshire said the views of the local community in Belhaven had been listened to by the local authority. He said: 'Although Shore Road is a very popular site, we don't have the facilities or staff to manage it when somebody is abusing the site, so for that reason we can't continue there.' Mr Hampshire pointed out there is a private caravan site a short distance from Shore Road which was available to visitors. However, he added: 'I agree there is a need for more. The number of camper vans visiting our coastal areas is greatly increasing and it would be wrong of us to say we don't want camper vans. We need to accommodate them either as the council ourselves as a landowner or there may be some private landowners who may wish to accommodate them.' Councillors also agreed to make permanent an overnight ban on parking across all coastal car parks between the hours of 11pm and 4am. Initial plans to bar parking from 10pm to 6am were reduced after protests from early morning swimmers, dog walkers and photographers who use it at dusk and dawn. Anger over the impact of the Shore Road overnight bays has had on residents living in the area was compounded, local community councils said by the lack of 'policing' of the site. In their objections they said promises the situation would be reviewed after a 'summer trial' were not met by the council and claims the bays would be monitored by a pre-booking system did not happen with people paying the £10 nightly charge through the Ringo app or at cash machines onsite. Several residents claimed up to ten motor homes could be found in the car park on any given night with people also parking in cars and vans. One said: 'I have witnessed people using the dunes as a toilet, lots of different rubbish being left and barbecues being lit in the long grass/dunes even when signs are up saying not to in dry weather.' Another added: 'They are arriving at all hours and some of them are not self-sufficient as in having toilets in them, so can imagine they are doing the toilet in surrounding grass area. 'There is no one around to police the camper vans and they seem to do as they like.' By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
13-05-2025
- Edinburgh Live
Overnight parking at East Lothian beauty spot scrapped after 'abuse' of rules
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 Overnight parking at a popular East Lothian beauty spot will be removed after councillors admitted they did not have the resources to stop it being abused. The three spaces at Shore Road, Belhaven, brought in over £3,500 in revenue for East Lothian Council last year but also sparked a wave of complaints from local residents who said visitors urinated in public and left their sewage and litter behind them. A meeting of East Lothian Council's Labour administration cabinet today approved a proposal to remove the bays with council leader Norman Hampshire saying the local authority would continue to look for alternative places for motor homes to stop.. The bays were introduced two years ago alongside three overnight bays at Yellowcraig car park near North Berwick as a trial. The Yellowcraig bays will remain and be made permanent. Councillor Hampshire said the views of the local community in Belhaven had been listened to by the local authority. He said: "Although Shore Road is a very popular site, we don't have the facilities or staff to manage it when somebody is abusing the site, so for that reason we can't continue there." Mr Hampshire pointed out there is a private caravan site a short distance from Shore Road which was available to visitors. However, he added: "I agree there is a need for more. The number of camper vans visiting our coastal areas is greatly increasing and it would be wrong of us to say we don't want camper vans. We need to accommodate them either as the council ourselves as a landowner or there may be some private landowners who may wish to accommodate them." Councillors also agreed to make permanent an overnight ban on parking across all coastal car parks between the hours of 11pm and 4am. Initial plans to bar parking from 10pm to 6am were reduced after protests from early morning swimmers, dog walkers and photographers who use it at dusk and dawn. Anger over the impact of the Shore Road overnight bays has had on residents living in the area was compounded, local community councils said by the lack of 'policing' of the site. In their objections they said promises the situation would be reviewed after a 'summer trial' were not met by the council and claims the bays would be monitored by a pre-booking system did not happen with people paying the £10 nightly charge through the Ringo app or at cash machines onsite. Several residents claimed up to ten motor homes could be found in the car park on any given night with people also parking in cars and vans. One said: 'I have witnessed people using the dunes as a toilet, lots of different rubbish being left and barbecues being lit in the long grass/dunes even when signs are up saying not to in dry weather.' Another added: 'They are arriving at all hours and some of them are not self-sufficient as in having toilets in them, so can imagine they are doing the toilet in surrounding grass area. 'There is no one around to police the camper vans and they seem to do as they like.'
Sky News
18-02-2025
- Business
- Sky News
East Lothian first local authority in Scotland to confirm 10% council tax increase
East Lothian Council is the first local authority in Scotland to approve a double-digit council tax increase. The SNP government's flagship freeze on the levy comes to an end in April. East Lothian Council leader Norman Hampshire said the 10% rise was necessary to maintain essential services to protect vulnerable residents and to give children the best start in life. The Labour-led administration received cross-party support - 17 votes in favour and four against - to pass its 2025-26 budget on Tuesday. The local authority said it was developed in light of financial pressures it is facing amid the region's growing population, wider economic challenges, and "increasing national policy expectations". Councillor Hampshire said: "Our financial situation means it has been necessary to set a council tax increase of 10%. "East Lothian's growth continues to put pressure on all parts of the council. "It is vital that we can sustain essential services to protect our most vulnerable residents and invest in education to give all children the best start in life." East Lothian council tax increases: • Band A (£957.08 2024-25 rate): £1.84 weekly increase, £7.98 monthly • Band B (£1,116.59 2024-25 rate): £2.15 weekly increase, £9.31 monthly • Band C (£1,276.10 2024-25 rate): £2.45 weekly increase, £10.63 monthly • Band D (£1,435.62 2024-25 rate): £2.76 weekly increase, £11.96 monthly • Band E (£1,886.24 2024-25 rate): £3.63 weekly increase, £15.72 monthly • Band F (£2,332.88 2024-25 rate): £4.49 weekly increase, £19.44 monthly • Band G (£2,811.42 2024-25 rate): £5.41 weekly increase, £23.43 monthly • Band H (£3,517.26 2024-25 rate): £6.76 weekly increase, £29.31 monthly Rent will also increase by 6.5%, with councillors additionally approving plans to invest more than £211m in infrastructure over the next five years. The roads department will receive an uplift of £1m, while an additional £1m will be funnelled into modernising council houses. The Scottish government's flagship council tax freeze was dropped for the nation's draft 2025-26 budget. Finance secretary Shona Robison instead pledged to increase local authority funding by more than £1bn, taking the total amount to more than £15bn. While accepting it is up to the 32 local authorities to make their own decisions what to do with the money, she said there should be "no reason for big increases" in council tax rates.
BBC News
18-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
East Lothian first in Scotland to confirm 10% council tax hike
East Lothian Council has become the first Scottish local authority to confirm a double-digit council tax increase.A nationwide freeze on the levy is being lifted in Lothian Council said a 10% rise was needed to maintain essential services and protect vulnerable residents. Councillors in the Scottish Borders last week agreed a draft plan with a 10% increase, saying they had no choice but to hike rates. The Labour-led East Lothian Council agreed that tax hike as part of its budget for 2025-26. Councillors said they were facing financial pressures due to the local authority's growing population, increasing demand for services and pressure from government to deliver nationwide policies. Council leader Norman Hampshire said: "East Lothian's growth continues to put pressure on all parts of the council. "It is vital that we can sustain essential services to protect our most vulnerable residents and invest in education to give all children the best start in life." As well as the tax rise, rents for council tenants will increase by 6.5%, an average of £5.25 a week. The budget included £8.9m of cuts over the next five years, with a commitment to finding further savings to close a funding gap. Councillors also agreed to invest more than £200m in infrastructure over the next five years, £1m in modernising council houses and a £7.5m increase for the body the oversees adult health and social care services. Tax freeze It is up to individual local authorities to set council tax rates, though they have been frozen or capped for much of the past 20 Scottish government subsidised a freeze in 2024-25, though this ends in cash-strapped councils have already indicated that sizeable increases could be on the in the Scottish Borders say a proposed 10% hike is to protect essential Lothian, Fife and Shetland councils have also considered increases of up to 10%, while Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Ayrshire are reportedly looking at 8%.The Scottish government has said its Budget for 2025-26, including an extra £1bn for local authorities, should negate the need for large council tax are also hoping to cover 60% of the costs of the UK government's decision to increase employers' National Insurance contributions. Councils say the extra Holyrood funding still leaves them about £100m short, with "difficult decisions" to be made on how to cover the funding gap.
