'We absolutely recognise that savings have to be made if we're going to maintain our frontline services; but the key thing here is that what we are threatening are frontline services...'

It's emerged parents of some children at a local nursery are choosing to keep their children at home, after it was closed suddenly amid concerns over health and safety; rather than send them to another school, due to difficulties getting them there.

And it's feared others could follow if Scottish Borders Council today (Tuesday) approves plans to mothball more due to low numbers, in a bid to save £400,000 the following year.

Kirsty Cronin is a member of the Parent Council fundraising committee at Glendinning Terrace Primary School in Galashiels, where what's being described as "a significant issue concerning the fire escape was discovered" just before the start of the Easter holidays.

She told Greatest Hits Radio: "We've been relocated to the Burgh Primary School on the other side of the town, which is over a mile away. For some parents who don't drive, it's just too far to walk; and some have even chosen to keep their children at home.

"I'd like to know why the nursery children can't be accommodated within (Glendinning) school itself? Because I know that there are two unused classrooms - or that are only used on and off for things - so they could all be kept together, especially for this last term leading up into primary one.

"My biggest worry is that if there is no nursery then, how's that going to affect the viability of the school itself going forward?

"The whole thing has just been so sudden and without any warning at all. It's so upsetting for parents."

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Scottish Borders Council's Executive committee is being asked to approve a consultation on the long-term future of the building at Glendinning Terrace, in addition to mothballing a further seven nurseries.

Channelkirk, Cockburnspath, Ednam, Fountainhall, Walkerburn, Westruther and Yetholm are all said to be operating at half their capacity or less, and within seven miles of a suitable alternative.

A report has also been ordered into the future of Sprouston, which has been mothballed since 2021.

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In relation to Glendinning, the local authority reveals children have already been relocated after an investigation found the matter with the fire door was not able to be resolved in time for the start of the new term.

Kirsty said: "Transition (to primary one) is one of the most daunting stages for some children, and they've not even considered the impact of this closure."

And she added: "It's just so sad, and absolutely appalling that they (the council) have let the nursery building fall into this level of disrepair, with no real investment over the last few years, so that it's actually got to the point that they've been able just to turn around and say: 'Oh, the door's not working now, so the building's not safe, you can't go in there.'

"It just feels like... it could have been avoided."

Of the 17 councillors who sit on SBC's Executive, three have spoken out against the proposals - which it's estimated could cost 39 jobs - in advance of today's meeting. They are Robin Tatler (Tweeddale East, Independent); Fay Sinclair (Galashiels & District, SNP); and David Parker (Leaderdale & Melrose, Independent).

Simon Mountford (Kelso & District, Conservatives) and Euan Robson (Kelso & District, Liberal Democrats) have also both been pictured at a public meeting in Yetholm last night, where dozens of local residents and parents came together to voice their objection to the proposals, ahead of a further protest planned outside Scottish Borders Council headquarters in Newtown St Boswells at 9am on Tuesday.

Councillor Tatler said: "We absolutely recognise, and I certainly recognise, that savings have to be made if we're going to maintain our frontline services. But the key thing here is that what we are threatening are frontline services, so we should not be following this proposal through."

It's claimed the unique challenges faced by rural communities must be taken into account before any decision is made on the future of local nurseries.

Councillor Sinclair said: "Parents have raised concerns about the idea of having to take their children to another town or village because of the cost of that, the difficulties in transporting children, them being split up from siblings who might already attend the local primary school, and there's the environmental impact of additional journeys as well."

As well as tabling a motion demanding the current plans are ditched, Councillor Parker wants a working group - made up of councillors, council officers and, crucially, parents - set-up to assess how decisions on early years education are made going forward, to ensure local voices are heard.

He said: "The report does not properly examine all of the issues around finance, or the implications on staff. It doesn't adequately look at the public transport challenges, or the environmental challenges; and it certainly doesn't give proper consideration to the council policies around rural poverty."

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Parents at Channelkirk were first to learn of a threat to their nursery earlier this year - but, at the time, Scottish Borders Council insisted there was no closure list and that the review was part of an annual process that its officers undertake to determine provision for the following year.

"That report has been worked on in secret by council officers for many months," Councillor Parker fumed. "And the report was only made available to the public and to elected members last Tuesday, and its recommendations have already caused an outrage.

"Although the report does recommend a three-week consultation period before any final decision is made by council officers, the fact is there's no need for consultation; a decision can be made on Tuesday and that decision should be to keep the seven nurseries open for next year and to bring this process to an end."

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