This page is an archive of Closed Consultations
2025
Sport, Leisure and Cultural Services and Facilities Consultation
Following on from the communication sent to you at the end of April, we wanted to highlight that we have now commenced consultation and engagement on sport, leisure and cultural services and facilities in the Scottish Borders with the launch of an online survey.
The survey gives everyone the opportunity to comment on more than 30 different facilities/services across the Borders.
Live Borders and the Council will also be engaging directly with representatives from key community and stakeholder groups across the region and will also host drop-in events, have pop-up information stands in high footfall locations and hold live online events where public questions will be addressed. Comment cards will be available in all Live Borders venues from Monday 2 June to enable customers to provide feedback.
Further information on our engagement plan, which will be updated as more details are finalised, and a link to the survey can be found at www.scotborders.gov.uk/jointreview
.We will reach out to stakeholders directly to arrange face-to-face discussions as appropriate.
Our engagement activities will run throughout the next three months, with a view to feedback being provided to stakeholders in September and proposals being developed for Elected Members to consider in the autumn.
Our conversations over the coming months will be vital in building a full picture of priorities, how services and facilities are used, where alternatives exist, and what the impacts of different options might be. It is important to emphasise too that we are seeking to engage on the full range of options for many of Live Borders’ valued services and facilities, not just those proposed by Integratis, the independent consultants that undertook a review earlier this year and whose report was discussed by Council at the end of April.
Regards,
Jenni Craig, Director – Resilient Communities, Scottish Borders Council
Bill Douglas, Chairman, Live Borders
Draft Active Travel Strategy Consultation
Following the approval of the Draft Active Travel Strategy at Council on 22 May 2025, we are delighted to share that the 10-week consultation is now live. The consultation will be accepting comments until 31 August 2025.
We kindly ask that you share the consultation with your networks.
Please use the link below to access the survey, view the Strategy and find further information on the consultation programme.
www.scotborders.gov.uk/activetravelstrategy
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any queries or require further assistance.
Kind Regards,
Active Travel and Transport Team
Scottish Borders Council Headquarters
Newtown St Boswells
Melrose
TD6 0SA
Scottish Borders Council – Scrutiny and Petitions Work Programme 2025-2027
The Scottish Borders Council’s Scrutiny and Petitions Committee’s remit is to provide extra scrutiny in relation to decisions made. To ensure the Scrutiny Committee reviews topics that are meaningful to those living in the Borders, the Committee seeks community input to compile a suitable programme of topics.
They are seeking your valuable input on potential topics and areas of focus for the Scrutiny and Petitions Committee work programme that will span two years. Your suggestions are crucial in shaping a comprehensive agenda that addresses the Council’s key priorities and objectives.
Topics for the Scrutiny programme should focus on Council business within its remit, not operational matters delegated to officers and must be clear and concise. Topics can include emerging issues, ongoing projects, or initiatives that may benefit from additional scrutiny and fall under one of the following categories:
· the Council’s performance in achieving its objectives and priorities.
· the effectiveness of the Council’s work against agreed standards, targets, and budgets.
· value for money and service quality exercises.
To reiterate, the topic must be within the Councils strategic remit and not an operational matter. For example, the Committee may oversee the Council’s winter maintenance plan and evaluate its performance. However, the management of individual depots and their gritting vehicles would be classified as operational matters and thus not fall under the Committee’s purview.
Examples of topics previously reviewed by the committee include:
- Monitoring of ten year capital/ Revenue Funding of Roads Maintenance
- Management and Maintenance of Public Halls.
- E-Fleet Impact
The Committee will review the topics submitted and decide which to take forward. If the decision is not to proceed with a topic, then a reason for this will be given and you will be advised accordingly.
Please contact susan.handyside@scotborders.gov.uk directly with your suggestions and if you have any questions, wish to discuss a suggestion, or need additional information, please get in touch.
Please submit your suggestions by Sunday 18 May 2025.
DRAFT DEVELOPMENT PLAN SCHEME 2025
Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has published its Draft Development Plan Scheme (DPS) 2025.
The Draft DPS sets out how the next Local Development Plan (LDP) will be prepared. The DPS is an important communication tool. It supports the deliverable and people-focused plans by letting stakeholders know when and how they can get involved in the plan and keep them informed of progress.
This DPS has been prepared to provide information on our progress in reviewing the current Local Development Plan (LDP) (adopted August 2024). The DPS includes a timetable of when SBC intend to reach key stages in the process of preparing their new LDP, which will replace the adopted LDP; and includes a Participation Statement explaining how we will engage with our communities and stakeholders.
This is the first DPS, including the Draft Participation Statement, before the beginning of the new LDP preparation cycle, with a focus on engagement activity throughout the LDP process.
The Draft DPS can be viewed from the LDP3 webpage that can be accessed at: www.scotborders.gov.uk/ldp3
There is a questionnaire survey available to complete online that can be accessed using the following weblink
or by the QR code below.
SBC would be pleased if you would take the time to contribute to this public consultation.
The questionnaire survey will be open until Tuesday 6th May 2025.
If you have any questions regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact the Planning Policy team by email on localplan@scotborders.gov.uk.
Consultation launch – Residents feedback sought for Review of Community Council Scheme
News release from Scottish Borders Council: Friday 24 January 2025
Residents feedback sought for Review of Community Council Scheme
Scottish Borders Council has launched its consultation on the Review of Community Council Scheme 2025 today, 24 January, seeking feedback from residents in the Scottish Borders with suggestions on how the Community Council Scheme and Handbook can be improved.
The review will allow residents in the Borders to provide their feedback on the Scheme and handbooks for the 69 Community Councils in the area. All local authorities must provide a Scheme for Community Councils, which outlines their governance arrangement and includes details of the Community Council areas.
The public consultation will run for three months, from 24 January until 23 April 2025. The review can be completed online via Citizen Space or by clicking in this QR code.
Residents can also feedback in writing by accessing hard copies of the consultation at contact centres or by contacting Scottish Borders Council Democratic Services, Council HQ, Newton St Boswells, Melrose, TD6 0SA
Community Councils are voluntary organisations set up by statute by the local authority and run by local residents to act on behalf of the area. To remain current, and reflect good practice, it is important that the Scheme is reviewed.
Further information about the Scottish Borders Community Council Scheme and the Community Council Handbook is available online at www.scotborders.gov.uk/elections-voting/community-council-scheme
The consultation period ends on 23 April 2025 at 5.00pm.
Ends
Notes to Editors
Community Councils were first established in Scotland following the 1973 Act and the subsequent Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act, 1994, which produced the current system of unitary local authorities and made provision for the continuation of community councils.
The consultation can be completed online via Citizen Space www.scotborders.gov.uk/elections-voting/community-council-scheme
For more information, contact the Communications and Marketing team on 01835 826632 or communications@scotborders.gov.uk
Scottish Borders Council seeks input from Borderers
Scottish Borders Council has launched its Budget Consultation and is seeking feedback from residents in the Borders to help shape the budget, due to be set in February 2025.
The consultation explains how decisions are made, how money is spent, and how residents in the Borders can contribute to the decision-making process.
Participants taking part in the consultation will be asked to respond on a variety of the Council’s budget and community priorities including Transport and Infrastructure and Community Engagement.
Councillor Euan Jardine, Leader of Scottish Borders Council, said: “The Council has implemented a range of innovative measures to save money and improve efficiency. However, we continue to face significant challenges, including rising costs of essential services, the impact of inflation and the unique geographical and demographic factors of our region.
“Despite these hurdles, we are committed to remaining financially sustainable in the face of ever-growing challenges and must identify at least £5 million in savings for the 2025/26 financial year to ensure we can continue to provide high-quality services for our communities.
“Our focus remains on working collaboratively and engaging with our residents to work through these financial pressures together.
“I urge you to take the time to look at the consultation and share your thoughts.”
The consultation includes a question on a potential Council Tax increase next year, this increase would help balance the Council’s budget and protect services. This follows the Council Tax freeze in 2024/2025, the increase would bring the Scottish Borders closer to the average level of Council Tax in Scotland. The Scottish Borders has the fifth cheapest Council Tax in mainland Scotland.
Councillor Leagh Douglas, Executive Member for Finance, IT and Corporate Performance, said: “A cross-party group of Councillors along with officers have been meeting regularly to draft plans for the 2025/2026 budget, but we are just part of the process, it’s crucial that we get the input of local people of all ages from across the Borders sharing their views and taking an active part in shaping their communities.”
The consultation can be completed online via Citizen Space. The survey will be open from 20 December until 23:59 on Sunday 2 February 2025.
Further information about the Council’s financial plan and budget is available online at www.scotborders.gov.uk/budget
SP Energy Transmission Business Plan is now live! Find out more about our future community funding plans
SP Energy Networks have published their next Transmission Business Plan for the RIIO-T3 price control period of 2026 to 2031. In this business plan, they outline how they will transform what their network delivers to enable national Net Zero ambitions. These efforts will enhance energy security, protect consumers from climate change, and drive growth, jobs, and investment.
They are upgrading the electricity system to support the transition to cleaner energy and enable homes and businesses to adopt low-carbon solutions across the country. But it’s not just about improving the infrastructure, it’s about people too. They want to take communities on this journey, which is why they have developed community funding plans as part of our RIIO-T3 Business Plan.
You can submit online feedback before 10th February 2025 by following this link – https://spen.engage-360.co.uk/surveys/56
Scottish Borders Council Delivery Programme 2024
I am writing to inform you that the Scottish Borders Council Delivery Programme 2024, has now been published and is available to view at www.scotborders.gov.uk/ldp2
There is a statutory requirement for Planning Authorities to publish a Delivery Programme, to accompany the recently adopted Local Development Plan 2024. The purpose of the Delivery Programme is to set out how Scottish Borders Council proposes to implement the adopted LDP and is part of the project management toolkit, focussing on the delivery of the Plan.
The Delivery Programme sets out, where possible:
- The identification of LDP proposals which require implementation and monitoring
- The key actions required to deliver policies and proposals
- A progress update for each of the proposals
- A timescale for when it is anticipated the identified action will be carried out, and
- The parties who will take the lead on the delivery of the identified action
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Planning Policy team at localplan@scotborders.gov.uk.
Setting a new course for health services in the Borders – we need your help!
I have been in post as Chief Executive of NHS Borders for over three months now.
I have spent the majority of that time visiting services, talking to patients meeting our staff and familiarising myself with the Borders.
I have seen lots of services that I am really proud of, and have met lots of fantastic staff including award winning clinicians who have been recognised as being at the top of their field nationally. What has really struck a chord with me are the values people across our organisation and our communities hold; a tangible golden thread of a sense of community, kindness to one another and a willingness to help each other when needed.
As we welcome in the new year I want us all to consider how NHS Borders and our services should evolve. As a health board we are responsible for providing the care that our patients need, when it is needed; and I am aware of the challenges that we are facing and the improvements we need to make. To start this improvement journey we need your help. We need your help in telling us what NHS Borders means to you, what you value in our services and where you think we can improve.
This work will launch formally on 6 January 2025 at which point we will be reaching out to you in a variety of ways to quickly capture your feedback. There will be engagement sessions for both staff and members of the public in multiple locations across the Borders. A full calendar of events will be available and published on a regular basis in the new year.
Your voice really matters and your opinions will genuinely help shape our strategy and our improvement journey. This work is about describing an ambitious future for NHS Borders and the strategy will provide the direction for our collective improvement journey.
I know how precious your time is, and your input is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your important contribution.
Peter Moore
Chief Executive
BEAR Scotland – Trunk Roads Survey
BEAR Scotland have responsibilities for the trunk roads in our area and are asking you for some feedback.
It has been four years since BEAR Scotland took on responsibility for managing and maintaining 314 miles of trunk roads in the South East of Scotland on behalf of Transport Scotland.
The image below sets out what BEAR Scotland does and explains what routes we are responsible for in SE Scotland.
Our website also offers up to date information on what we are working on. If you go to the news pages you can filter on South East to view the latest updates for the area.
We value your feedback and invite you to complete this short survey which will help us understand what matters to you and how we may improve on communications with you.
Ways to contact us:
- To report a defect: https://www.bearscot.com/report-a-defect/
- For up to date road travel and traffic information – call Traffic Scotland Customer Care Line on 0800 028 1414 or visit https://www.traffic.gov.scot/
- Follow us on X @SETrunkRoads and Instagram and Linkedin
- To reach the dedicated SE Engagement Team: SECorrespondence@BEARScotland.co.uk
Private Water Supply Quality Research
I am a researcher at the University of Stirling and I am investigating private water supply quality in Scotland. I am particularly interested in how users of private water supplies perceive the quality of their water and how effective the current support is for improving private supplies.
I have created a short survey and anybody who currently has (or has previously had) a private water supply can complete it. I’m looking for around 50 responses and anybody who completes the survey will be given the chance to enter a prize draw to win £25 supermarket vouchers.
This is the link to the survey: https://forms.office.com/e/4LvZqeU64J
I believe there may be properties on a private water supply in Hutton and Paxton. Can you please share this link with your community? If you require any further information, please let me know.
Best wishes,
Heather
| Heather Anderson PhD ResearcherBiological and Environmental Sciences University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA |
Community Conversations 2024 – your chance to have your say about the future spend in your community
Continuing on the successes of the two previous years, Scottish Borders Councillors will be returning with Community Conversations in 2024, seeking input from local communities on what resources are funded in their areas.
The purpose of the events is to give members of the public across the Scottish Borders an opportunity to meet and talk to their local Councillors and senior officers of the Council to discuss what matters to them in their local communities.
David Robertson, Chief Executive said: “Given the challenging finance context which we currently face, the Conversations are a key opportunity to engage openly and meaningfully with Borderers and to gather their input on how the Council should focus its limited resources.”
Dates and locations of all the Community Conversations can be found at www.scotborders.gov.uk/communityconversations
Each of the events will be hosted by Council Leader, Cllr Euan Jardine, and chaired by a member he Scottish Borders Council Management Team. Council officers will also be in attendance.
The night will commence with a short presentation followed by facilitated roundtable discussions. Thereafter freeform or one-to-one conversations will take place, allowing for more informal conversations.
SBC’s intention is that the events will provide participants with a better understanding of the Council’s work; its focus on limited resources, whilst allowing members of the community to attend in a flexible way and engage directly with Council Members and staff.
To ensure as wide a range of opinions as possible can be gathered, an online event will be organised, as well as events in schools for the younger aged Borders. Details of the online and school events will be communicated at a later date on SBC’s website and via social media.
SPEN- Overhead 132 kV route refurbishment between Eccles and Berwick upon Tweed substations
I would like to take the opportunity to inform you that SP Energy will be starting and upgrade on its transmission network.
SPEN owns and operates the electricity transmission and distribution networks in central and southern Scotland through its wholly-owned subsidiaries SP Transmission. Its transmission network is the backbone of the electricity system in its area carrying large amounts of electricity at high voltages from generating sources such as windfarms and power stations across long distances. The transmission network includes more than 4,000km of overhead lines and more than 360km of underground cables. The electricity is then delivered via the distribution system serving two million customers.
The Existing 132kV OHL between Eccles and Berwick upon Tweed substations secures the supply of electricity to customers between Scotland and England.
As OHL assets get older, the need for maintenance work becomes more critical and more difficult, and the exposure to unplanned electrical faults increases. Asset replacement is therefore essential to provide secure and reliable supplies to existing and future customers, thereby improving resilience in the network. The project will include 71 towers. Being upgraded of foundations, refurbing steelwork, new conductor and new dampers to ensure efficient electricity supplies are maintained in accordance with SPEN’s statutory and licence duties.
The pre enabling works started end January 2024 and work is anticipated to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2024. During these works there will be no outages affecting the electricity supply to customers.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards
Amar Shakoor | SP Transmission (Major Projects) | Community Liaison
2024
Paxton Playpark Consultation
We have some fantastic news….
Can you spare a few minutes to share your thoughts please?
Scottish Borders Council have allocated £60,000 to improve the playpark in Paxton and are looking for your views as to what play equipment/recreational equipment you would like to see installed.
Click here for the consultation form, we can also email these out to you (send us your email address by direct message or email us at huttonpaxtoncc@outlook.com) and we will pop some blank copies of the forms on the local notice boards for you to fill in.
Please can you return these by 31st July 2024
Scottish Government – Designation of new National Park
You may know that the Scottish Government is committed to designating at least one new National Park by March 2026 and that a nomination process invited community-led proposals by 29 February, 2024.
Through the seven years that our Campaign has been active we have had numerous contacts with community councils within the former county of Roxburghshire, the area which we have proposed as a starting point for consideration by Scottish Government. But we have also had the opportunity to communicate with all other CCs in the Scottish Borders, and we have been open to suggestions for the proposal to cover a wider area, for example the Ettrick and Yarrow valleys and the southern and eastern parts of Berwickshire.
Please follow this link to our submission to the Scottish Government; we have also shared the document with Scottish Borders councillors and officials. The five applications lodged by the government’s 29 February deadline are now being appraised. The successful bid or bids will be announced in the summer, after which there will be a long evaluation and consultation stage so that local businesses and residents can have their say.
National Park designation for the Borders would not solve all the entwined problems of the region’s environment and its communities. But it would help. Whether this bid is successful or not, we would like this document to communicate, to at least some degree, the fascination and importance of the landscape, its cultural heritage and its potential for the future. Please would you share it with your fellow community councillors?
Best wishes,
Jane Bower, Malcolm Dickson
On behalf of the Campaign for a Scottish Borders National Park
https://www.scottishbordersnationalpark.com/the-bid
Consultation on food provision in the Scottish Borders – Closes 30 April 24
The purpose of the consultation is to identify people’s current situatioren in relation to food poverty, with the aim of making access to food easier for people. Feedback provided will
- Feed into subsequent food strategy and Good Food Nation Act.
- Identify the food needs of residents.
- Inform what food services are currently on offer and aims to avoid duplication of services.
- Use data to better signpost to services.
We appreciate that this is a difficult time for many people, and the cost-of-living crisis has had and continues to have a significant impact on lives.
Open to: All residents of the Scottish Borders
Have Your Say – Placemaking and Community Engagement Sign Up – Closes 24th February 2024
The way Scottish Borders Council (SBC) are engaging with residents is changing – and they want you to have your say Placemaking is a process of community engagement where the opinions and desires of the community are used to inform the future of the places we live, work and play – and by getting involved and telling us what matters to you, we can make sure the voices of all Scottish Borders residents are heard. Click here to get involved.
Scottish Borders Council draft financial plan for 2024/25 – Closes 29th February 2024
Scottish Borders Councils (SBC) draft budget proposals for 2024/25 have been published.
Full details of the draft financial plan to be discussed at the meeting of Full Council on Thursday 29 February are available on SBCs website as part of the meeting papers. An associated news release has also just been issued and added to our website which highlights a number of specific budget proposals of note.
Scottish Borders Draft Local Heat & Energy Efficiency Strategy – Closes 8th March 2024
The formal Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) consultation period closes on the 8th of March 2024. This strategy outlines the proposed vision for improving energy efficiency and decarbonising heat in all buildings in the Scottish Borders.
Feedback gathered will help us shape and deliver the LHEES over the next five years, so your views are extremely important to us. In particular we’re looking for your views on the vision, priorities, and key actions for delivery.
The LHEES (strategy and delivery plan) is available to view here, alongside a number of supporting documents: https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/lhees
The survey is available here: https://scotborders.citizenspace.com/housing/lhees_consult_2024/
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, then please email Neil.Robertson@scotborders.gov.uk.
Hutton and Paxton Community Councils response to the consultation can be read by following this link.
Here are the links to The Scottish Government’s website on this subject, if you wish to reply at a national level. The links are specifically for:
Proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill: Consultation
and Social Housing Net Zero Standard in Scotland
Improving the Cancer Journey Service Consultation – Closes 31st March 2024
The local Health and Social Care Partnership has launched a consultation to gather the views of people with a lived experience of cancer as well as their families and carers.
They’re looking for feedback to support the development of a Macmillan Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) service for the Borders. This will offer people an appointment with an ICJ Worker to complete a holistic assessment to discuss ‘what matters to you’ in their cancer journey. The aim is to help those affected by cancer to access appropriate sources of support for all their non-clinical needs – physical, practical, emotional, family or spiritual. It will build on services already provided through NHS Borders, such as a holistic approach to care planning through Single Point of Contact.
Have your say
The survey is open until Sunday 31 March 2024 and can accessed online at: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/X7U1VW
Information is also available at: https://ow.ly/ci3350
The official Website for Hutton and Paxton Community Council 