The budget, which was agreed at the full Council meeting last week, will enable investment in infrastructure, such as schools, roads, care facilities, and business spaces

In the agreed budget for 2025/2026, Scottish Borders Council plans a comprehensive financial strategy that includes a £300 million capital investment over the next decade, focusing on new schools, care facilities, and £2m for play and outdoor spaces.

An allocation of £21.2m will be made towards roads and transport infrastructure over the next three years and provide additional funding for new Care Villages in Tweedbank and Hawick.

The council aims to boost business infrastructure to support inward investment and job creation in Tweedbank, with £20m through the Levelling Up Partnership for new business space, housing, and transport connectivity, and £1.7m through the Shared Prosperity Funding to support local communities.

The budget will continue delivering £10m in Borderlands investment in Destination Tweed and increase funding for Live Borders. It also addresses significant pressures in out-of-area care placements for young people with additional needs, invests in CCTV, and maximizes Council Tax charging to reduce long-term empty properties.

This year the budget includes a 10% rise in Council Tax.

Councillor Euan Jardine, leader of Scottish Borders Council, said: “This budget sets out a series of actions which will help secure the future of our communities.   

“The 10% increase in Council Tax was an extremely difficult decision, but ultimately members across the political spectrum agreed it was necessary to protect frontline services and make investing in communities a priority.”

Councillor Leagh Douglas, executive member for Finance, IT and Corporate Performance, added: “This budget is about safeguarding what matters most - our communities, our frontline services, and our long-term stability.

“The strength of the cross-party approach has been crucial in navigating these difficult decisions; I sincerely thank colleagues across all groups for their dedication to finding the best way forward.

“Focus must now be on delivering these commitments while working with residents to build a sustainable future.”

Councillor Elaine Thornton-Nicol, leader of the SNP group, said: “Scottish Borders Council’s finances face significant challenges, so it is crucial that all parties focus on delivering what we have agreed on, providing frontline services while maximising the use of the available resources. 

“To reduce the effects of future budget savings on all of our communities we must ensure constant and meaningful engagement so that we are clear on the needs and wants of the people and we can better communicate how we arrive at the decisions we believe are in the best interests of all in the Borders.”

Councillor Robin Tatler, leader of the Independent group, said: “We are embarking on a challenging journey, and it is essential that we continue to deliver the services we are committed to and for those who are priorities within our communities.”

Councillor Euan Robson, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, added: “Given the current financial pressures, we all face some challenging decisions ahead, we all agreed that our communities remain at the core of our mission, and therefore, we should work together to allocate agreed funds to the issues that matter most to them.”