Tuesday February 17th 2026
Scottish Borders Council headquarters
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A 50 per cent rise in the cost of burial fees will be on the agenda when members of cash-strapped Scottish Borders Council meet to set its budget this week.
It has already been announced that the council is proposing an 8.5 per cent rise in Council Tax as it attempts to balance the books and maintain essential services.
But other cost hikes the public can expect to face in 2026/27 come in the levels of the fees and charges for services provided.
It is being proposed to increase the purchase of a burial ground for one or two interments from £1,121 to £1,682 – a 50.4 per cent rise.
The same level of increase is proposed for woodland burials.
A further hike is set to see the cost for hiring of grass pitches up to two hours go from £36 to £40, with annual allotment fees rising from £55 to £61.
In the area of waste management the cost of the disposal charge for bulky waste is proposed to go from £197 to £240.
The cost of school meals in primary schools is earmarked to rise from £2.90 to £3.20 with the ‘meal deal’ in secondary schools to go from £3 to £3.30.
One cost that is standing still is that of a £6 charge for Radar keys for the disabled to gain access to public conveniences in the region.
The proposals will be recommended for approval when members of Scottish Borders Council meet on Thursday, February 19.
Tweet Share on Facebook
