Jacquie Bell elected chair of Dunbar and East Linton Area Partnership

Jacquie Bell has succeeded George Robertson, who announced last year that he would be stepping down from Dunbar and East Linton Area Partnership (DELAP).

The group, which is led by community volunteers, aims to make a difference locally and address the impacts of poverty.

Mrs Bell, who is also secretary of Dunbar Community Council, was looking forward to officially taking on the role from next month.

She said: “I want to thank DELAP for electing me as their new community chairperson.

“I have been active as a local community volunteer for many years, including working closely with George on co-ordinating the local response to Covid.

“I am committed to helping to make Dunbar and East Linton the best it can be for local residents.

“I am excited to be taking on the new role and wish to do so in an inclusive way.

“I want to ensure that the area partnership hears voices and views from all parts of the ward to ensure that it works to make a difference to the lives of everyone in both Dunbar town and the smaller settlements.”

Mrs Bell, who has lived in Belhaven since 1989, previously worked as a social worker and has been an active member of the area partnership since it was established.

She has been the group’s vice-chairwoman since 2014 and a member of Dunbar’s community council for more than 20 years.

She also served as a Liberal Democrat councillor representing the Dunbar and East Linton ward on East Lothian Council from 2007 to 2012.

Now, she is looking to build on the work of Mr Robertson, who was chairman of DELAP for three years.

During that time, he has overseen a number of projects, including the repainting of some of the building facades on Dunbar High Street, the installation of benches around the area, as well as improvements to some village facilities in Tyninghame, West Barns and Belhaven.

During the pandemic, he played a leading role in bringing volunteers together and supported a number of initiatives to help those affected by Covid-19.

Led by community volunteers, Dunbar and East Linton is one of six area partnerships which receive funding from East Lothian Council to identify local priorities and help reduce inequalities.

It is supported by East Lothian Council’s connected communities service, which promotes and delivers the council’s community empowerment aims – working collaboratively with local communities, other council services, community planning partners such as Police Scotland, NHS, third-sector and community organisations – to make a difference locally and address the impacts of poverty.

Mr Robertson said: “I am very proud to have been associated with DELAP and all of the positive outcomes we have achieved for our communities, particularly during the past 18 months of the pandemic.

“We have supported a number of great community initiatives, including food provisions such as the ‘meals on wheels’ delivery service for people who were shielding.

“As well as providing a cooked meal, this helped tackle social isolation for those unable to see friends and family due to lockdown.

“All across the Dunbar and East Linton area we have seen many improvements through the hard work, dedication and support we received from local communities who are at the forefront of community empowerment.”