Nine projects being undertaken by Live Borders and ourselves following a joint review of sport, leisure and cultural services and facilities are expected to be complete by the end of the month.
They are among 34 projects in a joint transformational change programme aimed at delivering high quality services now and in the future through a financially sustainable and high performing partnership between the two organisations. A progress update will be provided to a meeting of Full Council on 28 March.
Financial challenges
As the close partnership working continues, further financial pressures have been identified and Councillors are being asked to agree to the allocation of £600,000 to support Live Borders to pay its staff the real Living Wage from April 2024 and an assumed three per cent pay increase for other staff groups.
Council Leader, Councillor Euan Jardine
“Live Borders is the Council’s sport, leisure and culture trust and we remain absolutely committed to working together with the Live Borders board members and staff to deal with the challenges currently being experienced.
“Although the joint transformation programme is progressing well, financial pressures in 2024/25 are forecast. The provision of £600,000 will allow Live Borders to pay the real Living Wage, which is a key criteria for achieving external funding from other sources, and is also vital in attracting and retaining staff.
“As the programme develops and more work is undertaken and projects completed, I have no doubt that savings will be achieved, income generating opportunities developed and other external funding sourced, which will help toward our long-term goal of financial sustainability. We always knew that the changes required would not happen overnight and we are still near the start of a complex journey.”
Alison Moore, Chair of Live Borders
“Our staff are fundamental to the success of Live Borders - without them we would not be able to provide the valued services we deliver across the Scottish Borders.
“We have to treat them fairly and we also have to be able to compete in the recruitment market, to attract and retain the best people to run our services. That is why it is important that we, like the Council, move to pay the real Living Wage.
“The transformation programme is progressing well, and we will continue to work through this year of positive change to reach a sustainable financial footing going forward. We are still in the very early stages and there is much work still to do.
“It is inescapable that Live Borders and the Council are going to have to make some difficult decisions along the way however.”
Range of projects being progressed
Projects within the joint transformational change programme include the development of detailed options appraisals and associated consultation on the future of buildings we own which are operated and managed by Live Borders which meet various criteria, including high repair/maintenance costs, decreasing user numbers, increased running costs and where there is the potential to relocate or co-locate services.
The development of a Sport Facilities and Health and Wellbeing Strategy and a Cultural and Arts Strategy, with accompanying action plans, are also amongst the projects.
About Live Borders
Live Borders is the leisure, sport, and cultural trust for the Scottish Borders. Live Borders is a charity. At the heart of Live Borders is a commitment to making its communities healthier, happier and stronger. Every penny spent in its venues is reinvested into supporting active, creative, and healthy communities in the Scottish Borders.
The Live Borders trust arrangements were originally established in 2003 with the formation of Borders Sports and Leisure Trust. The services delivered have been expanded over the years, including the addition of cultural and various community services in 2016 when Live Borders was set up.
Community sports provision at a number of new high school campuses and the addition of the Great Tapestry of Scotland Visitor Centre in 2020 have also been added to the scope of Live Borders services in recent years.