An independent report on Live Borders’ sport, leisure and cultural services and associated Council-owned properties has been published ahead of a discussion at Full Council later this week.
We'll not be making any decisions regarding service or property changes at this time, recognising that there is much to consider and further work is required. Community and stakeholder consultation is also essential prior to any recommendations being made for Full Council to consider.
The report follows a review by independent consultants Integratis, who have extensive experience working with local authorities and sport and culture trusts. They were tasked by Live Borders and ourselves with taking an objective approach to identifying options which will help Live Borders deliver accessible, relevant and cost-effective services from a sustainable property estate.
More information and FAQs
A copy of the Integratis report and our covering report to Full Council can be found on our website as part of the papers for the Full Council meeting.
Information on the consultants' proposals and FAQs are also available online on our site.
Challenges mirrored across country
As with other such trusts across the country, Live Borders has experienced unprecedented challenges over the past five years, including the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent slow recovery, vastly increased utility costs and changes in customer usage trends.
Ongoing financial pressures at Live Borders have required us to provide millions of pounds of additional funding over recent years, including an extra £1.8million in 2025/26. This is on top of a £4.8m annual management fee.
Council Leader, Councillor Euan Jardine
“Following the completion of the consultants’ work we now need to start considering, with input from our stakeholders and communities, what our options are. No decisions on services or facilities are being taken at this stage. Robust and transparent engagement will happen before Councillors consider any specific recommendations.
“The financial challenges being faced by Live Borders and the options we now need to look at are coming to the fore right across the country. We have been proactive in getting consultants to take an objective and independent view of potential solutions, and now we need to open up discussions with our communities before any decisions are made.
“Health and wellbeing is a major focus for Scottish Borders Council and the consultants have identified real opportunities for Live Borders to expand its offering, increase usage and generate further income, while also helping our residents to get all the benefits that exercise brings. This builds on Live Borders’ current work but will require targeted investment into key facilities and changes to reflect how people access such services these days.
“The consultants have looked objectively at a whole range of information and have presented us with a data-driven, evidence-based report, which provides the Council and our communities with a lot of food for thought. There is not a one-size-fits-all solution though and there is much we need to consider, including impacts on service users, communities, the economy and of course our finances.
“With a new board of trustees in place and a new CEO appointment on the horizon, this independent report and our engagement with communities over the coming months feels like a springboard towards a much more sustainable and successful long-term position for Live Borders and our communities.”
Consultation to shape future proposals
In addition to the consultation feedback to be gathered this spring and summer, insights from over 6,500 local residents captured during the joint review of sport, leisure and cultural services and facilities in 2023, usage data, cost analysis and property condition will all be taken into consideration ahead of specific proposals being brought back to Full Council in due course.
Bill Douglas, Chair of Live Borders’ Board of Trustees
“What is critical now is that Live Borders starts to deliver on the operational opportunities identified by the consultants which will make it a more efficient and effective organisation and which will increase income, through staffing changes and pricing.
“Together with the Council we will work through the service and property proposals put forward by the consultants and shortly begin to engage with our stakeholders and communities to discuss the potential solutions and gather community feedback and ideas on how we can adapt our services and deliver them in different ways.
“Changes to our services, to our staffing and to the Council properties we operate and manage are essential to getting Live Borders into a sustainable financial position. That has to happen to ensure that we can continue to provide our valued services right across the Borders to our communities and visitors.
“The input of our customers and communities in the coming months will help shape our future.”
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.
During 2024 the Active Schools and Sports Development services previously operated by Live Borders were transferred back to us. Governance changes have also been made at Live Borders, which is now a single member trust, with ourselves being the only shareholder.