Berwickshire - Integratis service/property change proposals
Detailed below are the property change proposals in Berwickshire put forward by the independent consultants following their review.
We will not be making any decisions regarding service or property changes at this time, recognising that there is much to consider and further work is required. Community and stakeholder consultation is also essential prior to any recommendations being made for Full Council to consider.
Please note that in some instances the consultants have identified multiple options for services/facilities which need to be read independently and not in conjunction with other proposals in that location.
In preparing for community and stakeholder engagement initial issues and considerations arising from the consultant’s property-related proposals have been captured by officers. These are not intended to be a complete or comprehensive list of issues and considerations, and through engagement with communities and stakeholders we anticipate many further options, considerations and issues will be raised.
This input will help to develop and shape final property and service recommendations, which are expected to be brought to Full Council for decisions in autumn.
Coldstream
| Service/Property | Proposals within Integratis report | Initial issues and considerations arising from consultants' proposals to start discussions with communities |
|---|---|---|
| Coldstream Museum | Consultants' Proposal: Close and explore a Community Asset Transfer or relocate into the existing Contact Centre building or consider alternative relocation options. | This property is a Common Good asset, and further investigation is required into the title and any associated restrictions which may apply regarding its disposal. We recognise that there may be opportunities to co-locate the museum into another community facility in the town, but this requires further consideration. The impact on the museum collection needs to be considered. Coldstream has a registered Local Place Plan following the work of the Town Team and direct engagement will take place to explore options further. Other considerations include the South of Scotland Responsible Tourism Strategy. |
| Coldstream Library Contact Centre | Consultants' Proposal: Close and expand the mobile library service or partner with Coldstream Community Centre which is not a Live Borders managed venue. | A variety of options need to be considered in relation to the delivery of these services in the community and this property. Coldstream has a registered Local Place Plan following the work of the Town Team and direct engagement will take place to explore options further. |
Duns
| Service/Property | Proposals within Integratis report | Initial issues and considerations arising from consultants' proposals to start discussions with communities |
|---|---|---|
| Southfield Community Centre | Consultants' Proposal: Close or pursue Community Asset Transfer if viable | This is a well used facility and there may be challenges in these activities relocating within the town. There may be opportunities to look at how usage could be maximised. A new model of community centre management could be explored. There has been a lack of interest in taking forward a Community Asset Transfer in the past. |
| Duns Library Contact Centre | Consultants' Proposal: Consolidate into the Southfield Community Centre and pursue a Community Asset Transfer while maintaining local library access. | Consideration needs to be given to whether there may be opportunities to maximise usage of this facility. The upper floor is currently not used and would require capital investment to allow this to be opened up |
Eyemouth
| Service/Property | Proposals within Integratis report | Initial issues and considerations arising from consultants' proposals to start discussions with communities |
|---|---|---|
| Eyemouth Community Centre | Consultants' Proposal: Proceed with closure or pursue Community Asset Transfer if interest exists | A nursery operates from the facility and also the What Matters Hub. SBC and NHS Borders staff also work from the centre. It is also used as a polling place. Potential for activities to be relocated to another community facility would need to be explored further. The interest/capacity within the community to take the facility also needs considered. Eyemouth is one of the priority towns in the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal Place Programme and will be developing a Place Plan, through which further discussions could be progressed. |
| Eyemouth Library | Consultants' Proposal: Consolidate into a Community Centre or transfer to community ownership (Community Asset Transfer). Alternatively, close and expand the mobile library service. | This facility is joined to Saltgreens Care Home. This could impact on the opportunities for Community Asset Transfer or sale although there is no direct access/link. Eyemouth is one of the priority towns in the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal Place Programme and will be developing a Place Plan, through which further discussions could be progressed. |
| Eyemouth Studio | Consultants' Proposal: Maximise commercial use or consider closure and transfer of activities to the High School. | Live Borders needs to consider whether there are opportunities to maximise usage/income from this facility. Due to the community access arrangements at the High School further discussions are required to understand if these activities could be accommodated there, and associated costs to Live Borders. The property is leased to Live Borders by the Council and were Live Borders to give up the lease then new tenants would be sought. |