Joint review of sport, leisure and cultural services

Berwickshire facilities

Detailed below are the property change proposals in Berwickshire put forward by the independent consultants in April 2025 following their review and the recommendations agreed by Council on Thursday 20 November.

Further details on the options appraisal scoring and rationale can be found in Appendix 3 for the Council meeting.

Coldstream

Service/Property Proposals within Integratis report Agreed recommendation
Coldstream Museum Consultants' Proposal: Close and explore a Community Asset Transfer or relocate into the existing Contact Centre building or consider alternative relocation options. Retain Coldstream Museum and maximise service improvements, including progressing discussions with Coldstream Guards.
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. Retain Coldstream Library Contact Centre and explore how the existing successful operating model can be further enhanced. 

Duns

Service/Property Proposals within Integratis report Agreed recommendation
Southfield Community Centre Consultants' Proposal: Close or pursue Community Asset Transfer if viable To retain Southfield whilst allowing Duns and Berwickshire the same opportunity as is being offered to other facilities across the Borders, by deferring closure until March 2029 to allow an opportunity to explore the potential for alternative operating models, ownership and funding for Southfield and explore opportunities with other local venues recognising the resulting budget shortfall would require to be addressed through the Council’s financial planning process.
Duns Library Contact Centre Consultants' Proposal: Consolidate into the Southfield Community Centre and pursue a Community Asset Transfer while maintaining local library access. Retain Duns Library Contact Centre and explore how the existing successful operating model can be further enhanced, including potentially activities from Southfield Community Centre.

Eyemouth

Service/Property Proposals within Integratis report Agreed recommendation
Eyemouth Community Centre Consultants' Proposal: Proceed with closure or pursue Community Asset Transfer if interest exists Retain Eyemouth Community Centre and co-locate Eyemouth Library into the community centre and introduce a new management/operating model whilst opportunities are explored to maximise usage, increase sustainability and income generation. Review the position by 31 March 2029 at the latest.
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. Close and relocate Eyemouth Library to Eyemouth Community Centre.
Eyemouth Studio Consultants' Proposal: Maximise commercial use or consider closure and transfer of activities to the High School. Retain Eyemouth Studio and maximise usage and income generation.