OVER the years I have worked with many councillors, in East Lothian and across the country.

I have come to know some of them well and, regardless of their politics, believe they are dedicated to their work and the communities they serve.

However, there is no doubt the role of councillors has become significantly more difficult over recent years because of huge budget cuts.

SNP councillor Katie Hagmann, COSLA’s resources spokesperson, described the financial situation facing Scotland’s councils as “extremely challenging”. She also said: “Years of real-terms cuts to council budgets have been coupled with increasing additional policy commitments and increased ringfencing.”

Despite being the second-fastest-growing area in Scotland, East Lothian Council receives the third-lowest amount of funding per head from Government out of 32 councils. This has inevitably stretched the council’s finances to the limit, with a £17.3 million funding gap to plug for the year ahead. Even the First Minister admitted East Lothian faced “significant challenges” when he and his Cabinet colleagues visited last year.

It was against this unenviable backdrop that councillors here set the budget for 2024/25. While difficult choices had to be made, I am delighted the £5 million repair and refurbishment of the Loch Centre was agreed. Securing the centre’s future, including its swimming pool, is vitally important for the wellbeing of communities in and around Tranent.

The budget also continues the council’s community intervention funding, which has done so much to invest in projects, seeks to minimise the impact of cuts on the voluntary sector and maintains the important work of area partnerships.

Overall, I believe the budget protects essential local services as far as possible under the dire financial circumstances facing councils.