As part of this year’s Community Conversations engagement activity, our community engagement officers will be out and about in the hub of communities meeting residents in supermarkets.
This approach marks a new chapter in the way the engage as part of Community Conversations, as community engagement officers step out into local supermarkets for the first time, meeting residents where they shop to hear their views firsthand and for residents to share what matters most to them.
The initiative is in a bid to make it easy for members of the public to share their views and engage with us. Meeting in a public place, taking part in an everyday activity, the officers will ask shoppers for 10 minutes of their time, giving them the opportunity to shape priorities for their communities.
Drop-in sessions will take place week beginning 20 October:
- Sainsburys, Kelso Monday 20 October 1-4 PM
- Asda, Galashiels Tuesday 21 October 1-4 pm
- Morrisons, Hawick Wednesday 22 October 1-4 pm
- Tesco, Peebles Thursday 23 October 12-3 pm
Any updates will be shared on our social media platforms.
Feedback from the drop-in sessions along with information gathered at other Community Conversation events, which have been taking place throughout September and October, will feed into our Council plan and Budget discussions for 2026/27. Our Budget Consultation for 2026/27 will go live on Monday 20 October .
The message from Council Leader, Councillor Euan Jardine is
“As we plan the budget for the next year, it’s vitally important that we hear as many different voices as possible from within our communities.
“Meeting our engagement officers in supermarkets is a simple way for residents to share their views and help shape the future of the Borders.
“Your feedback can make a real difference as we prepare the Council Plan and budget for 2026/27. I encourage everyone — whether you’ve spoken to us before or not — to take this opportunity to tell us what matters most to you.
“The more voices we hear, the stronger and more representative our decisions will be.”
In addition, community engagement officers are taking the opportunity to attend community group meetings, they will be at a ‘Special Digital Switchover Day Session on Tuesday 14th October, in Newcastleton.
It is anticipated that older people in the area will attend these events, an age group which the Council is very keen to hear from as they make up a large part of the population in the Borders.
Information about all events taking place in your area can be found on our Community Conversations 2025 web page or for more information email communityengagement@scotborders.gov.uk.