Joint review of sport, leisure and cultural services

Cheviot - facility change proposals

Detailed below are the property change proposals in Berwickshire put forward by the independent consultants in April 2025 following their review and the joint recommendations we have developed with Live Borders following community and stakeholder consultation and engagement.

A special meeting of Council will consider the recommendations on Thursday 20 November. 

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

Jedburgh

Service/Property Proposals within Integratis report Recommendation to be considered by Council
Jedburgh Town Hall Consultants' Proposal: Explore closure and migrate activities to the school campus or retain with income-maximisation strategies

Retain Jedburgh Town Hall whilst opportunities are explored to maximise usage and income generation with a view to a full community asset transfer being completed by 31 March 2029, subject to a robust and sustainable business case being presented.

Laidlaw Memorial Pool Consultants' Proposal: Maintain closure unless significant external investment and a sustainable operational model can be identified.

Regarding Laidlaw Memorial Pool, request that officers work with the community with the aim of establishing a robust and sustainable business case for a full Community Asset Transfer and community-led operation of Laidlaw Memorial Pool. Recognises that ongoing Council revenue funding on a diminishing scale would be required to support a community operation. A further report to Council will be required on this proposal at such time as a request for Council funding is received. If there is no viable community solution by 31 March 2026 the facility will permanently close and disposal will be progressed.

Kelso

Service/Property Proposals within Integratis report Recommendation to be considered by Council
Abbey Row Community Centre Consultants' Proposal: Pursue closure or Community Asset Transfer transfer while ensuring continuity of community programmes, possibility to consolidate activities into Tait Hall.

Retain Abbey Row Community Centre and introduce a new management/operating model to maximise usage and income generation with a view to a full community asset transfer being completed by 31 March 2029 subject to a robust and sustainable business case being presented.