Antisocial behaviour has been one of the biggest problems reported in Haddington over the last year with extra police patrols sent out to known hotspots.
A Problem Solving Partnership (PSP) was put in place to tackle the issues and one local businessman talked about finding 'blood, excrement and vomit' outside his town centre door.
The town centre has been a battleground with the council as well, as local businesses successfully ran campaigns to stop attempts to tackle parking problems.
READ MORE: East Lothian community groups given £1.5 million to support local residents
First the local authority revealed plans for a park and walk car park on the edge of the town centre, which were dropped after protests, then a Spaces for People project proposed banning parking in stretches of the centre.
On both occasions it was the voices of the local businesses and customers who travel into the town centre from outlying communities to shop, which won the day.
2017 results
- Brian Small Conservative 29.03% FPv (2,262 total)
- John McMillan Labour 18.71% FPv (1,593 total)
- Shamin Akhtar Labour 15% FPv (1,627 total)
- Tom Trotter SNP 14.66% FPv (2,227 total)
2022 candidates
The Conservatives will be hoping for a strong show after losing two elected councillors from this four-seat ward since the last election.
Former Conservative group leader Brian Small stepped down in February 2019 accusing his colleagues of being 'heartless' in their treatment of him as he recovered from the effects of nearly dying from Sepsis.
His successor Craig Hoy is now an MSP and standing down from his councillor role at the election and the Conservatives have fielded a new candidate former footabll referee George McGuire.
The other three sitting councillors are standing again with East Lothian Provost John McMillan and Councillor Shamin Akhtar both candidates for Labour while the SNP councillor Tom Trotter is also restanding.
The Lib Dems. Alba Party and Greens all have one candidate in the ward and community councillor David Barrett is standing as an independent.
Full list of candidates standing in Haddington and Lammermuir ward
Shamin Akhtar (Scottish Labour Party)
David Barrett (Independent)
Stuart Crawford (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
Morgwn Davies (Alba Party)
Graeme MacGregor (Scottish National Party)
George McGuire (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)
John McMillan (Scottish Labour Party)
Jackie Swailes (Scottish Green Party)
Tom Trotter (Scottish National Party)
