AN AMBITIOUS deal which could net East Lothian a share of £1 billion has been given the thumbs up by East Lothian Council.

The local authority on Tuesday agreed to contribute up to £75,000 to the Edinburgh City Region Deal.

The plan – created by local authorities in the Capital, East Lothian, Fife, Midlothian, Scottish Borders and West Lothian – aims to achieve “an ambitious target of a permanent uplift in economic output” across the six local authorities of at “least five per cent per annum” through an initial 10-year programme.

However, some councillors also outlined concerns that the East Lothian public were not being consulted and also about how the money raised would be shared.

One of those championing the scheme was Councillor John McMillan, East Lothian Council’s spokesman for economic development and tourism.

He said: “The Edinburgh City Region Deal is a really exciting prospect and could have huge benefits for East Lothian and our neighbouring areas.

“Its aims fit in with our council priorities of growing our economy as set out in the Council Plan and Single Outcome agreement.

“We could be looking at some very exciting projects which will help us achieve our aim of making East Lothian one of the best places to live, work and do business in Scotland.” East Lothian Council has agreed a contribution of up to £25,000 for the initial business case.

Then, a further maximum of £50,000 could be handed over to develop a detailed business case.

Mr McMillan said there had been similar deals struck in Cambridge, Manchester and Glasgow and they hoped not only to replicate the success there but better it.

The six local authorities will work together with the Scottish and UK Governments to put forward a funding bid for a group of projects which will boost the economy of the area.

Projects included across the city region are likely to involve transport, housing, regeneration, energy, tourism and broadband – with the ambitious aim of boosting the economy by five per cent per annum over a 10-year period following the investment.

It is expected that the plan will draw in about £1 billion in funding from the Government, with an additional £3.2 billion from the private sector.

It is hoped the initial deal will be agreed early next year.

But Councillor David Berry was among those with concerns.

He said: “If this is a gift horse, the last thing we want to do is look it in the mouth.

“I’m fully behind the city region as it is the only sensible way to go forward.” But he said sharing services with Edinburgh had run into trouble before.

He admitted he was “a little sceptical” about the plans but was fully behind exploring the options available.

Councillor Stuart Currie insisted there needed to be an in-depth consultation with communities before projects were taken forward to ensure they were what the people of East Lothian were after.

He added: “We need to find out what the projects are as soon as possible.”