Current progress
Latest update - November 2024
The Joint Transformational Change Programme established following the joint review continues to be delivered. This is critical to ensuring the financial sustainability of sport, leisure and cultural services and facilities. The status quo is not an option ie continuing with the current scale and scope of service delivery, especially in the context of and an ageing and energy inefficient sporting and cultural property estate.
The development of a detailed options appraisal for the delivery of sustainable services and facilities is being supported by the analysis of property condition surveys and other key facility and service data. As this work progresses there will be engagement with communities and other stakeholders, building upon the significant volume of feedback gathered from public and stakeholders as part of the joint review.
Given the ongoing financial challenges it is anticipated that changes in relation to service delivery and facilities will be required to be made from early in the 2025/26 financial year. The process is underway to develop budget plans for 2025/26, which will be considered at the end of February 2025.
Elected Members agreed at the end of August to progress with the transfer of the Active Schools and Sports Development services. This followed work to understand and plan out the full implications of the transfer of these services. The transfer formally took place on 1 October 2024, however a short transition period will help to ensure there is no break in service delivery.
Recruitment of new members of the Live Borders board, including a new Chair, will shortly be progressed, with the support of the current Chair, Alison Moore. Live Borders will also start the process of recruiting a Chief Executive, with Jill Franks currently holding the post on an interim basis.
The board will play a leading role in the transformation of sport, leisure and cultural services in the Scottish Borders and ensuring that, together, both organisations continue to meet the needs of residents, communities and visitors.
If you feel you have skills, knowledge or expertise to positively contribute to this work then we want to hear from you.