I was as disappointed as anyone to learn that there are currently insufficient funds to pay for the repairs needed to reopen the Loch Centre swimming pool. It is a vital resource for the health and well-being of the local community and re-opening the pool must be a priority.

However, while every option should be considered in the search for ways to finance the repairs, it does serve as another reminder of the unfairness of East Lothian’s current funding settlement from the Scottish Government.

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Despite the results of the latest census confirming that East Lothian has experienced the second greatest growth in the last decade, behind only neighbouring Midlothian, it is also the third worst-funded per head of population.

Given that around 75 per cent of the council’s funding comes directly from the Scottish Government, it is clearly ridiculous that our county is suffering such a funding shortfall. Only the City of Edinburgh and Aberdeen councils fare worse than East Lothian.

Furthermore, independent figures from the Scottish Parliament’s research unit show that East Lothian’s capital budget allocation from the Scottish Government is 23 per cent lower this financial year than it was 10 years ago. This makes it even harder for the council to provide the new schools and other facilities needed to serve the rapidly growing population.

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This situation cannot continue. The Scottish Government must make changes to fully recognise the significant growth taking place here.

My colleagues on East Lothian Council are calling for a separate growth fund to support investment in local infrastructure in the fastest growing areas.

Providing funds to pay for the repairs needed at the Loch Centre pool would also be a good way to start to redress this imbalance.