A community day centre facing closure has been given a £32,000 emergency cash boost from a council after Scottish Greens MSP Lorna Slater backed a campaign to save it.
The Hollies Community Hub, Musselburgh, had warned it was weeks away from closure after struggling to raise funds for roof repairs and to continue operating during the pandemic.
The building is owned by East Lothian Council but leased to The Hollies who are responsible for maintenance.
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In February a ceiling collapse at the centre, which provides day services to over 60s to help tackle social isolation, dealt another blow to management who already faced bills of up to £200,000 to fix the building.
East Lothian Council has confirmed a decision to give the centre £32,000 from the Musselburgh Common Good Fund has been approved by senior elected members of the council's Labour administration.
A council spokesperson said: "Under the terms of the lease from the council to the Hollies, the tenant (the Hollies) is responsible for all aspects of repair and maintenance, this includes keeping the building in a wind and watertight condition, including maintenance and repair to the roof.
“Officers directed the Hollies management team to relevant funds, including the Musselburgh Common Good. Our officers will continue to offer support to the Hollies following the award that has been made to them.”
Common Good Funds exist for the benefits of the inhabitants of the former Burghs to which they relate and Musselburgh Common Good committee normally administers funds awarded with support from council officers.
However as the council was in recess and emergency funding required, the decision was signed off by the four senior members of the council's Labour administration.
Last week Ms Slater wrote to East Lothian Council's chief executive Monica Patterson raising concerns about the loss of The Hollies which she said provided crucial services to the local community.
Following the decision Shona McIntosh, Scottish Greens candidate for Musselburgh, welcomed the move but warned it needed to be the start of better support for the centre rather than a one off intervention.
She said: "Hollies Community Hub is precisely the kind of community-led service Greens would urge the council to prioritise.
"The hub needs a secure future and I would urge the council to play a full role in helping to deliver that."
