Thursday November 20th 2025
Focus Centre, Galashiels
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Two Borders community centres were saved from closure today as councillors rubber-stamped cost-savings to culture, leisure and sports services.
With Live Borders needing to save £2.2m in its operating costs members of Scottish Borders Council on Thursday, November 20, endorsed moves to plug the ongoing financial losses being faced by the provider.
Savage cuts recommended by consultants Integratis would have resulted in the loss of 50 jobs and seen several venue closures.
Following publication of those recommendations SBC carried out its most extensive ever public consultation.
As a result the majority of the Integratis recommendations have been rejected with a more measured approach to savings being taken, incorporating community asset transfers for some facilities and the introduction of new operating models.
The aim is to create “a slimmer, more efficient, effective and customer focussed organisation” with one-off targeted investment in the council’s property estate to generate increased usage and income generation.
One of the proposals was to close the Focus Centre in Galashiels, with its services moving to the town’s Langlee Community Centre.
But members agreed an amendment from town councillor Fay Sinclair that a move to an asset transfer process is progressed “as quickly as possible”.
Councillor Sinclair said: “It’s fair to say that the general mood around the proposal to close the Focus Centre has been one of devastation across the Galashiels community and wider.
“The Focus Centre is so much more than just a building, it’s home to many groups who find the space and the atmosphere that has been created within the centre to be the only place that meets their needs.”
Southfield Community Centre in Duns has also been saved after an appeal from Mid-Berwickshire councillor Mark Rowley for another community asset transfer was also heeded.
It was confirmed that Eyemouth Library will be relocated into Eyemouth Community Centre.
However, many centres earmarked for closure by the consultants are to be retained, including Old Gala House, Lauder Public Hall, Tweedbank Community Centre, Innerleithen Memorial Hall and Peebles Drill Hall, Hawick Library and the Heart of Hawick.
It had been feared that both Jedburgh and Selkirk leisure centres could also be axed.
Now community takeovers are to be explored at both venues, with deadlines next March and in spring 2029.
Councillor Euan Jardine, the leader of SBC, said: “The Integratis report that came out was heavy-hitting, it was cold but it told us a story and it gave us a narrative, it gave us a starter and it started a conversation and we went out and listened to communities with the biggest consultation Scottish Borders Council has ever done.
“We listened and what this paper outlines is what we heard. We have now changed from the negative Integratis report as it was perceived to the positives what we have got here.”
An amendment from Councillor Robin Tatler that the option to offer long term leases to venues in addition to asset management transfers was also endorsed.
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