The first part of a wide-ranging community engagement and consultation seeking the input of Borderers on the future of Live Borders services and facilities was launched today with an online survey.
This follows a review by independent consultants Integratis, who have extensive experience working with local authorities and sport and culture trusts. They were tasked by Live Borders and ourselves with taking an objective approach to identifying options which will help Live Borders deliver accessible, relevant and cost-effective services from a sustainable property estate.
Have your say
The online survey on sport, leisure and cultural services and facilities is now available through our CitizenSpace website. It is open until 31 August and gives everyone the opportunity to comment on more than 30 different facilities/services across the Borders.
Range of engagement opportunities
Together with Live Borders we 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.
Councillor Euan Jardine, Council Leader
“Following publication of the consultants’ report last month, we are now seeking constructive input on the full range of options for many of Live Borders’ valued services and facilities not just those proposed by the consultants.
“No decisions have been made, and our conversations with communities, stakeholders and colleagues 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.
“This feedback will build on the views of more than 6,500 people who contributed in 2023 at the start of the joint review. It will help Elected Members make well-informed, evidence-based, and balanced decisions later this year.
“Change is essential to bring Live Borders into a sustainable financial position, but the specific details around services and properties are still up for discussion. Live Borders is already progressing other actions that could deliver significant savings and when combined with some service and property changes, these will help safeguard the future of sport, leisure, and cultural provision across the region.
“It’s important to emphasise that these changes will not save the Council money. What they will do is help Live Borders operate within its budget and make that budget go further especially in terms of improving services and facilities.”
Bill Douglas, Chair of Live Borders’ Board of Trustees
“The services we deliver are really important to the health and wellbeing of our residents and communities and also support the local visitor economy. We must do all we can to ensure that these services are accessible, relevant, meet the needs of customers and are financially sustainable. Changes are necessary to achieve that.
“The input of Borderers through the joint consultation and engagement activities over the next few months will absolutely shape the future of how and where our services are delivered, which is just one element of our programme of change.
“It is inevitable that in the future we will be managing and operating from fewer properties, but that will help us to protect the services we deliver across the Borders and allow focused investment into the facilities which remain. There are lots of options to be considered though, and no decisions will be taken until the consultation and engagement is completed.”
Changing community needs and rising costs
Operational and service delivery changes are needed due to demographic changes and shifts in community needs, which have resulted in declining user numbers at some facilities. In addition, aging, energy-inefficient facilities and increasing costs require the properties services operate from to be considered too.
Changes to service delivery and properties will ensure that Live Borders can deliver high quality services throughout the region within budget. This also supports our Estate Strategy, which aims to make best use of key assets for the benefit of communities, reduce underutilised properties, and significantly lower carbon emissions.
About Live Borders
Live Borders is the leisure, sport, and cultural trust for the Scottish Borders. Live Borders is a charity. At the heart of Live Borders is a commitment to making its communities healthier, happier and stronger. Every penny spent in its venues is reinvested into supporting active, creative, and healthy communities in the Scottish Borders.
The Live Borders trust arrangements were originally established in 2003 with the formation of Borders Sports and Leisure Trust. The services delivered have been expanded over the years, including the addition of cultural and various community services in 2016 when Live Borders was set up.
Community sports provision at a number of new high school campuses and the addition of the Great Tapestry of Scotland Visitor Centre in 2020 have also been added to the scope of Live Borders services in recent years.
During 2024 the Active Schools and Sports Development services previously operated by Live Borders were transferred back to us. Governance changes have also been made at Live Borders, which is now a single member trust, with ourselves as the only shareholder.