Joint review of sport, leisure and cultural services

Tweeddale - 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.

Innerleithen

Service/Property	Proposals within Integratis report	Agreed recommendations
Innerleithen Memorial Hall	Consultants' Proposal: Engage with the community to assess Community Asset Transfer potential; otherwise, proceed with closure	Retain Innerleithen Memorial Hall whilst opportunities are explored to maximise usage, increase sustainability and income generation. Review the position by 31 March 2029 at the latest. As this is a common good asset additional legal steps would be required before any asset transfer can be fully considered.
St Ronan’s Wells Visitor Centre	Consultants' Proposal: Close due to low usage or consider Community Asset Transfer. Maintain gardens and relocate displays to the library	Close St Ronan's Wells on 31 March 2026 and progress disposal of site via community asset transfer or other means.

West Linton

Service/Property	Proposals within Integratis report	Agreed recommendations
West Linton Graham Institute	Consultants' Proposal: Engage with the community to explore Community Asset Transfer interest; if none, proceed with closure	Retain Graham Institute whilst opportunities are explored to maximise usage, increase sustainability and income generation by 31 March 2029 at the latest. Review the position by 31 March 2029 at the latest. At the point that this progresses to an asset transfer request there will be a need for a further legal process since this property is held by SBC as a trust.

Peebles

Service/Property	Proposals within Integratis report	Agreed recommendations
Gytes Leisure Centre	Consultants' Proposal: Retain and repurpose the sports hall into a fitness gym and studio while relocating sports hall bookings to Peebles High School and Drill Hall.	Retain the Gytes pending property feasibility works to identify respective opportunities at the Gytes and Peebles Swimming Pool which could support the consolidation of facilities, maximise usage, increase sustainability, generate additional income and reduce ongoing property costs. Depending on the outcome, discussions with community groups regarding the potential for mutually beneficial community asset transfer would be progressed for part of the Gytes facility.
Peebles Drill Hall	Consultants' Proposal: Proceed with closure or Community Asset Transfer if viable	Retain the Drill Hall and introduce a new management/operating model to maximise usage, increase sustainability and income generation. Review the position by 31 March 2029 at the latest.