25 Years of East Lothian Council

That the Parliament notes that it is 25 years since East Lothian Council was formed as a unitary authority, replacing the former two-tier structure of regional and district councils; believes that the unitary authority has been a huge success, bringing decision-making on key services, such as education, housing, social care and planning issues, closer to communities, allowing significant investment in schools and other community facilities, especially leisure and sport, and establishing strong partnerships with other community organisations; further believes that this has been helped by the establishment of local area partnerships that have given communities resources to determine their own priorities; considers that East Lothian Council's strong community roots have served it well over recent weeks as its staff have fulfilled a key role in co-ordinating and assisting the area's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially by supporting the most vulnerable people who are shielding or self-isolating, maintaining the hubs for the children of key workers and continuing to provide essential services under such difficult circumstances, and commends all of the staff who have worked at East Lothian Council, and the councillors who have served on it, for their contribution to its development and success over the last 25 years and for their dedication to serving and enhancing the area's communities.