Community Conversations 2023 - your chance to have your say about your community

Published: 9th August 2023

Scottish Borders Councillors will be back on the road taking part in Community Conversations 2023, building on the success of last year.

The events, which start in August and continue through September, will give members of the public across the 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. 

The first event takes place in Galashiels on Tuesday 22 August in Galashiels Academy.

 

An additional element to this year’s Community Conversations will include holding sessions in schools with a selected group of school-aged members of the community, inviting them to share their views on education, leisure, transport or any other topic they would like to bring to the attention of their local Councillors or Council.

Live Borders will also join the series of events, supporting the ongoing stakeholder sessions, seeking the views of communities to help shape the future of the public sport, leisure and cultural services and facilities in their area.

 

Council leader, Councillor Euan Jardine, who will attend all of the events along with Ward Councillors and senior management from the Council

“The Community Conversations will see us return to towns across the region.  Some of the conversations last year led to some positive change and fed into our Council Plan 2024.

“I would encourage anyone who wants to help shape the future of their community, who has a question or issue they would like to discuss or would like to find out more about the Council, to come along to one of the events in their area.”  

 

Community Conversations are not formal presentations or Q&A sessions, they are planned to facilitate and encourage 1 to 1 or small group conversations in a relaxed environment. Members of the public can drop-in at any time during the three hour evening slot.  As these sessions are taking place in local high schools, we would  encourage young people and families to come along.  

Dates and locations of all the Community Conversations can be found at www.scotborders.gov.uk/communityconversations

 

More Information

Community Conversations will be held on the following days, updates will be shared on SBC Facebook and Twitter:

  • Tuesday 22 August - Galashiels Academy - 4-7 pm Please note, no parking will be available on school grounds
  • Tuesday 29 August - Peebles High School - 4-7 pm
  • Wednesday 30 August - Selkirk High School - 4-7 pm
  • Thursday 31 August - Earlston High School - 4-7 pm
  • Tuesday 5 September - Eyemouth High School - 4-7 pm
  • Wednesday 6 September - Berwickshire High School - 4-7 pm
  • Wednesday 13 September - Kelso High School - 4-7 pm
  • Thursday 14 September - Jedburgh Grammar Campus - 4-7 pm
  • Wednesday 20 September - Hawick High School - 4-7 pm