Following the input of thousands of Borderers and key stakeholders, proposals have been developed to support a financially sustainable future at Live Borders and improve services and facilities.
A series of recommendations will be discussed at a special meeting of Full Council on Thursday 20 November.
The full report and detailed appendices can be accessed via the link above.
High-level details of the property-related recommendations by locality can be found in the Joint review section of our website.
Holistic set of proposals
The proposals are a packaged programme of ambitious transformation that will deliver:
- co-ordinated transformational action which makes Live Borders a slimmer, more efficient, effective and customer focussed organisation, delivering growth, financial sustainability and better services for communities, with the health and wellbeing of the people of the Scottish Borders at its heart;
- one-off targeted investment in our property estate which allows the redevelopment and improvement of key identified facilities, supporting increased usage and income generation and better facilities for communities;
- facility changes, including a small number of closures, service re-location/co-location, new operating/management models and community asset transfer which will result in a smaller, but improved, property estate and services
Background information
Elsewhere on our news pages we have published today:
- information on the financial context behind the need to review these services and facilities
- the need for change with the delivery of sport, leisure and cultural services
- a vision for the future of Live Borders and associated services
Councillor Euan Jardine, Council Leader
“I want to thank the thousands of people from right across the Borders who took time to contribute to the engagement process. You have genuinely helped shape how we have considered the options available and reached the final set of recommendations.
“The independent review by Integratis Consulting, published in April, gave us a good starting point, but did not reflect views from our communities and stakeholders, which is why we took the decision to take the time to consider further feedback and ideas. Our focus over the past months has been on gathering that vital input. It has given us a far greater understanding of who uses these facilities and services, how often, what alternatives there might be, and the potential impacts from any changes.
“The proposed solution, including a significant transformation of Live Borders, is a programme of action which delivers for Live Borders and our communities. It is not simply about closures, cutting services or saving money. There are real opportunities for positive service developments, for investment into facilities and for increased community control. These actions combined can put our sport, leisure and cultural services on a course to financial sustainability over the next few years and deliver benefits to communities.
“Investment will be required to make that possible. That, in itself, is not an easy decision given the additional financial support Live Borders has needed up to now. But it is only through a co-ordinated, combined set of actions that Live Borders and the Council can tackle current and future challenges, both in terms of financial pressures but also how we best meet the needs of our communities and visitors.
“Next week, we must commit to a positive evolution of Live Borders, because the status quo and standing still is not an option. It will simply lead to more financial pressures, failing facilities and, as a result, deteriorating services for our communities.”
Extensive engagement
The joint engagement activities included:
- An online survey and Easy Read version – completed by over 1900 individuals and community groups
- Face-to-face community drop-in engagement events in 19 communities and at the Border Union Show – attended by over 800 people
- Suggestion boxes available in Live Borders facilities – over 800 comment cards completed
- 21 direct engagement events with identified key community groups and stakeholders, such as community councils, town teams and development trusts
- Youth engagement through events, activities and a dedicated survey – input received from over 1300 individuals
Bill Douglas, Chair of Live Borders’ Board of Trustees
“I think it is clear from the breadth of recommendations developed that we have listened to our communities and that, wherever possible, we’ve tried to preserve facilities and services.
“This is about delivering more for our communities and securing the long-term future of sport, leisure and cultural services across the Scottish Borders.
“Together with the Council, we want to improve service and facility quality, improve outcomes for service users, widen access and increase income and our financial sustainability. That vision is underpinned by Live Borders being as efficient and effective an organisation as possible, managing and operating from a smaller, fit-for-purpose Council property estate.
“It is a significant programme of work that is required, picking up on themes from the wider Integratis proposals, and the savings and increased income will not be delivered overnight. That means we will continue to require some ongoing financial support and targeted investment to make it all possible, but in the long term it will result in better services, better facilities and a leaner, more efficient organisation which delivers tangible benefits for the public investment we receive.
“It is a challenge, and we need collective action, investment and support, not just from the Council but from the public. It really is essential that if together we invest in facilities, services, events and programmed activities that usage and income grows. In turn, we will then be able to reinvest in our services and facilities, driving more improvements and growth.”