Tuesday March 18th 2025
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Fewer but longer meetings are on the agenda at Scottish Borders Council, it has emerged.
A shake-up in the regularity and length of committees is being considered to “maximise the efficiency of meetings” and reduce travel time.
In 2024 Scottish Borders Council held 15 meetings of full council, including one budget and two special meetings.
The regularity of meetings is higher than most other local authorities in Scotland who generally opt to meet every 6-9 weeks or at agreed fixed dates which can vary from four to ten times per year.
It is now being proposed for full council to meet nine times a year, with additional special meetings called if needed.
But those meetings would be extended to last a full day with scheduled breaks.
A report to next week’s full council states: “The current monthly council meeting schedule, along with the publishing of reports 10 days in advance, poses some challenges due to the limited time between meetings.
“Consequently, some papers have recently been delayed in publication which in turn hinders the elected members review of the report pack. Additionally, several council meetings have either exceeded their allotted time, or, concluded earlier than scheduled.
“As a result, elected members may either have to leave the meeting before its end or have travelled a distance for a relatively short meeting.
“It is proposed that consolidating and extending the meetings to a full day would allow member and officer time to be managed more effectively and efficiently.
“For example, officers will have more time to produce reports requested at previous council meetings, officers and members will be able to avoid diary clashes more easily as they will have certainty as to the length of council meetings.
“In addition fewer, but longer meetings, will also result in less travel time for all involved.”
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