Featured Consultations
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Have Your Say - Placemaking and Community Engagement Sign Up
The way we are engaging with our residents is changing - and we want you to have your say Placemaking is a process of community engagement where the opinions and desires of the community are used to inform the future of the places we live, work and play - and by getting involved and telling us what matters to you, we can make sure the voices of all Scottish Borders residents are heard. Sign up to receive updates from Scottish Borders Council on community engagement events in your...
Closes 24 February 2026
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Development Plan Scheme 2025 - Participation Statement
We are asking how you would like to be involved with the creation of the next Local Development Plan (LDP). The Development Plan Scheme (DPS) as shown below sets out the way Scottish Borders Council will be undertaking the next LDP.
Closes 6 May 2025
Open Consultations
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Review of SBC Community Council Scheme 2025
Community Councils are voluntary organisations set up by statute by the Local Authority to act on behalf of their areas. They are involved in a range of activities which promote and protect the well-being and identity of their communities; and help bring local people together to make things happen....
Closes 4 May 2025
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Play Area Improvements - Earlston Play Park
SBC is investing over £4 million in Play Areas and Outdoor Community Spaces over a seven year period. The intention is to improve community wellbeing and enhance outdoor activity for children and young people inclusive of all levels of ability. SBC currently has 187 play parks ranging from...
Closes 5 May 2025
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Play Area Improvements - Bonchester Bridge Play Park
SBC is investing over £4 million in Play Areas and Outdoor Community Spaces over a seven year period. The intention is to improve community wellbeing and enhance outdoor activity for children and young people inclusive of all levels of ability. SBC currently has 159 play parks ranging from...
Closes 5 May 2025
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Development Plan Scheme 2025 - Participation Statement
We are asking how you would like to be involved with the creation of the next Local Development Plan (LDP). The Development Plan Scheme (DPS) as shown below sets out the way Scottish Borders Council will be undertaking the next LDP.
Closes 6 May 2025
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Instrumental Instruction Continuation Form 2024-2025
This form should be completed for pupils currently receiving instrumental instruction Only one pupil per form please. Please note, all pupils will be exempt from charges for the year 2024-2025 as the Scottish Government have agreed to continue funding instrumental music tuition fees....
Closes 31 May 2025
Closed Consultations
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Play Area Improvements - The Loaning, Denholm Play Park
SBC is investing over £4 million in Play Areas and Outdoor Community Spaces over a seven year period. The intention is to improve community wellbeing and enhance outdoor activity for children and young people inclusive of all levels of ability. SBC currently has 187 play parks ranging from...
Closed 24 April 2025
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Burnfoot Community Survey
Scottish Borders Community Planning Partnership (CPP) is developing a number of locality-based plans across the Borders. These Locality Plans are requirement for Community Planning Partnerships under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. The Locality Plans will set out the priorities for...
Closed 21 April 2025
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Sport and Physical Activity Strategy
Working with partners from the public, private and voluntary sector, Scottish Borders Council provides and supports opportunities for sport and physical activity across the Borders, these range from the provision of sports facilities and exercise referral programmes, to walking groups and physical...
Closed 13 April 2025
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School Brae Public Toilets, Peebles: Asset Transfer Request
An asset transfer request has been made to Scottish Borders Council under Part 5 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. The request has been made by Peebles Community Trust and relates to the School Brae Public Toilets, Peebles EH45 8AT. The request and...
Closed 6 April 2025
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School Exclusion Policy 2025
The exisiting SBC School Exclusion Policy (2019) requires updating to be in line with new national guidance and effective practice. This engagement is to share the changes which have been made and confirm understanding of the revised exclusion policy. Below is the draft of the revised exlusion...
Closed 6 April 2025
We Asked, You Said, We Did
Here are some of the issues we have consulted on and their outcomes. See all outcomes
We asked
The consultation on the potential sale and repurposing of the School Brae Public Toilets in Peebles received a total of 26 responses. The comments revealed a range of opinions and concerns, which have been categorised into key themes. All comments can be seen in full in the embedded file below.
You said
Key Themes
- Support for the Reuse Hub
Several respondents expressed support for the proposal to repurpose the toilet block for the Reuse Hub. They highlighted benefits such as reducing waste, providing affordable items to the community, and the successful management of the Reuse Hub by the Peebles Community Trust.
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Opposition to the Sale
A number of respondents opposed the sale and repurposing of the toilets. They emphasised the need for public toilet facilities in Peebles, especially for tourists, families with young children, and individuals with medical conditions. Concerns were raised about the impact on tourism and local businesses if public toilets are not available.
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Alternative Suggestions
Some respondents suggested reopening the toilets or providing alternative facilities nearby. Proposals included collaboration with organisations like Go Tweed Valley to improve tourism facilities.
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Concerns about Community Trusts
There were comments expressing scepticism about the ability of community trusts to manage the facilities effectively, citing past difficulties in securing funding and maintaining buildings.
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Potential Traffic and Accessibility Issues
Concerns were raised about increased traffic and accessibility issues if the Reuse Hub is expanded.
We did
We will continue to liaise with Peebles Community Trust as they develop their business case for the proposed Reuse Hub in the School Brae Public Toilets building.
All comments submitted as part of this consultation have been fed back to the Trust and will inform their business case. We will ensure that any actions taken are published here to keep the community informed and engaged.
We asked
Following contact from Scottish Borders Council (SBC) with community-based organisations in Selkirk, The General Store approached SBC with a proposal to purchase the toilet block and use it as a re-use hub. SBC has no plans to re-open the toilets.
The ‘wee’ re-use hub aims to prevent items such as bric-a-brac, hardware, and textiles from ending up as waste and going to landfill. It is anticipated that items will be available by donation or free if needed, building on the regular rummage sales that The General Store holds.
Before selling the building, we sought the views of the local community. Comments could be made by completing an online form, emailing comments to communityengagement@scotborders.gov.uk, or posting comments to the SBC Communities and Partnerships Team. Comments would be shared with the team at The General Store and published on this website. No personal information would be shared.
This consultation had four questions.
You said
We received 24 responses to the consultation. Here is a summary of the feedback:
- A majority of respondents (66.67%) agreed with the proposal to sell the former public toilets to The General Store.
- Some respondents expressed concerns about the lack of public toilets in the area and the financial sustainability of the reuse hub.
- Many respondents praised the idea of repurposing the building and appreciated The General Store's efforts in the community.
- A few respondents suggested alternative uses for the building, such as a tourist information hub or additional parking spaces.
We did
Based on the feedback received, we are currently discussing the project viability, business case, and other considerations with officers regarding the potential sale of the public toilets to The General Store. We are committed to ensuring that the final decision takes into account both the aims of The General Store and the community's views. We will continue to keep the community informed about the progress of this project and any further developments.
We asked
We asked for you views on giving Hawick United FC a long term lease on the Derek Ramage Pavilion.
You said
All of those that responded were supportive.
We did
A 20-year lease is being agreed with the Club.