The Scottish Borders Council has proposed to spend more than £294 million on infrastructure throughout the Borders over the next ten years. This is all part of a draft financial part from the local authority and it will be considered at a council meeting on the 20th of February.

The full budget plans include £2.1 million spent over the course of three years for new and improved outdoor community spaces, £4.8 million going into a specialist dementia residential facility, an over £22 million investment in roads and bridges over three years, with £79 million planned over the next 10 years, £89 million used to improve the school estate over 10 years, an £8.3 million contribution to the £41 million Hawick Flood Protection Scheme, £2 million going towards the reopening of Reston Station, £799k to support the regeneration of Eyemouth, £1 million to assist in delivering town centre regeneration, and £2 million for road safety works at the A72 Dirt Pot Corner in 2018/2019.

“We have developed a budget which builds on opportunities and improves the lives of Borderers, whatever their age. It focuses on delivering quality services, opportunities for all in a thriving economy, empowering communities and enabling people to live independently and achieve their goals,” said council leader Shona Haslam.

The proposed services will help those vulnerable in society, it will build new schools, it will deliver improvements to the roads, and it will support businesses by stimulating the local economy.

“We are proposing a three per cent increase in Council Tax, which will generate around £1.6m for next year’s budget. Council Tax makes up less than a quarter of all the funding we receive, and this increase is only the second in 10 years, during which time the funds we receive from other sources has reduced and demand for services has increased,” concluded Shona.