FINANCIAL challenges could lead to “major adaptations” in a number of homes across East Lothian being put on hold.

Changes, including installing a wet floor shower and widening doorways for wheelchair access, are regularly carried out in homes throughout the county.

An increase in the number of works needed, alongside a rise in building costs, has left the local authority struggling.

At the same time, East Lothian Council is facing increasing financial pressures and has outlined that it needs to save £45 million over the next five years.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, leader of the local authority, painted a bleak picture at a meeting of Dunbar’s community council.

He said: “Every service we deliver now is not going to be the same level. We are looking at everything we can to reduce cost to council services.

“I have been through difficult budget processes but this one, I don’t know.

“It is not what I came into local government for.

“We are going to try to reduce the number of buildings we have and operate.”

The Dunbar and East Linton ward member highlighted the pressures facing the local authority.

He said: “Our care and repair, which allows us to do adaptations, that budget is completely spent already.”

The budget consists of £464,000 of Scottish Government funding in the form of Private Sector Housing Grant as well as an additional contribution from the council to pay for the care and repair service.

A spokesperson for the local authority said: “East Lothian Council receives private sector housing funding from the Scottish Government to help assist owner-occupiers and private renters to carry out major adaptations to their homes where this has been assessed by an occupational therapist as essential.

“Major adaptations can range from a wet floor shower to the structural work required to widen a doorway for wheelchair access.

“In recent years, there has been a significant increase in referrals.

“This increase, together with a rise in the cost of building works, has meant that committed expenditure for 2023/24 is extremely high.

“As a result, emergency processes have been put in place for the remainder of the year.

“Any major adaptation works which have already received a funding award and which have already commenced or have a planned start date will continue as planned.

“Meantime, assessments will continue as normal; however, it is likely that approvals for progressing with any major adaptations will be carried out after April 2024.

“The care and repair team continue to provide general advice and assistance and can also continue to assist in arranging architects and contractors should the home owner wish to proceed without funding.

“Care and repair may also be able to advise on any alternative funding streams in some circumstances.”