Live Borders review: Report into future of libraries, leisure centres and public halls delayed
Last updated 12th Nov 2025
A report into the future of leisure, culture and sport services across the Scottish Borders has been delayed.
More than 30 buildings - including the swimming pool in Selkirk, Focus Centre in Galashiels and Drill Hall in Peebles - had been recommended for closure by independent consultants as part of a cost-cutting review.
More than 50 jobs were also identified as being at risk, as local operator Live Borders bids to find more than £2 million a year in savings.
A final decision is due to be made at a special meeting of Scottish Borders Council next Thursday, November 20th.
But the local authority has announced a follow-up report - confirming what services might be cut and what could be saved - won't now be published tomorrow (Thursday) as originally planned.
Concerns are being raised that leaves the public little time to digest all the details.
It's understood the council’s administration has until Sunday night to produce the documents, or the meeting will be CANCELLED.
An SBC spokesperson said: "Due to ongoing discussions, the publication of the papers associated with the special Council meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 20th will not take place on Thursday, November 13th as had originally been intended.
"We recognise that this is a highly anticipated report, and all efforts are being made to publish the report and associated documents as soon as possible.
"Further updates will be provided as appropriate."
It's claimed putting Live Borders on a more sustainable financial footing could help it invest in facilities like the sports complex at Tweedbank and Teviotdale Leisure Centre in Hawick.
Other buildings identified for closure include Borders Textile Towerhouse and Wilton Primary Swimming Pool in Hawick; St Ronan's Wells Visitor Centre in Innerleithen; and Sir Walter Scott's Courtroom in Selkirk.
Libraries in Coldstream, Eyemouth, Earlston and Duns could also be replaced with an expanded mobile service.
Meanwhile, Stow Town Hall, Jedburgh Town Hall, Lauder Public Hall, Innerleithen Memorial Hall, and West Linton's Graham Institute could also shut their doors, unless a local group can present a viable case for taking them over.
Public meetings have been held across the Borders over the past few months to ask communities for their views on the proposals.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio earlier this year, Live Borders chairman Bill Douglas said: "The Integratis report came out saying effectively we have an unsustainable model going forward of trying to provide the services we do across too many places.
"It's not just a simple accountancy exercise, but the utility costs for our pools went up by £2 million, from pre-Covid to now.
"The important thing coming from Live Borders point of view is it's not where we do these things, it's what we do.
"Some of our libraries have fewer than one person a day attending them - is that sustainable? No. But can we put the library together with some other building and get a vibrant centre for a village or town? And that's really where the consultation piece comes in."
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