Eildon - Integratis service/property change proposals
Detailed below are the property change proposals in Eildon put forward by the independent consultants following their review.
We will 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.
Please note that in some instances the consultants have identified multiple options for services/facilities which need to be read independently and not in conjunction with other proposals in that location.
In preparing for community and stakeholder engagement initial issues and considerations arising from the consultant’s property-related proposals have been captured by officers. These are not intended to be a complete or comprehensive list of issues and considerations, and through engagement with communities and stakeholders we anticipate many further options, considerations and issues will be raised.
This input will help to develop and shape final property and service recommendations, which are expected to be brought to Full Council for decisions in autumn.
Galashiels
| Service/Property | Proposals within Integratis report | Initial issues and considerations arising from consultants' proposals to start discussions with communities |
|---|---|---|
| Queens Leisure Centre | Consultants' Proposal: Proceed with closure and migrate bookings to new High School; sell land |
With the opening of the new Academy the intention was to close the Queens Centre. This would allow the building/site to be redeveloped. |
| Galashiels Swimming Pool | Consultants' Proposal: Retain, ensuring daytime access to new High School pool. |
A new pool will open within the new Academy as planned. No consultation will be undertaken regarding this facility as a result. Public access arrangements during school times need to be confirmed |
| Old Gala House | Consultants' Proposal: Proceed with closure due to low footfall. |
Significant consideration needs to be given to the options around this site including:
Other considerations include the South of Scotland Responsible Tourism Strategy. Galashiels is one of the priority towns in the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal Place Programme and has developed a Place Plan, through which further discussions could be progressed. |
| Focus Centre | Consultants' Proposal: Close and transfer activities to Volunteer Hall and new High School or pursue Community Asset Transfer where viable. |
A significant number of activities run from the Focus Centre and consideration would need to be given to where these could otherwise be accommodated. The facility is used as a polling place. There may be interest in a Community Asset Transfer, while a new model of community centre management could also be explored. Galashiels is one of the priority towns in the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal Place Programme and has developed a Place Plan, through which further discussions could be progressed. |
| Trifitness | Consultants' Proposal: Dispose of and migrate to the repurposed Tweedbank Bowling Hall to a state-of-the-art fitness centre, replacing the Trifitness Centre. |
The service operates from a leased facility and there is no room for expansion, which would help to meet demand and generate additional income. Consideration needs to be given to the tripartite arrangement with Heriot-Watt University and Borders College. Further work needs undertaken to understand the scale of capital investment required to convert Tweedbank bowling hall. The impact on bowling provision would need to be considered, although there is alternative indoor bowling facilities available at Teviotdale Leisure Centre. |
Melrose
| Service/Property | Proposals within Integratis report | Initial issues and considerations arising from consultants' proposals to start discussions with communities |
|---|---|---|
| Melrose Corn Exchange/Ormiston Institute | Consultants' Proposal: Retain with increased commercialisation strategies or partnership could be explored including Community Asset Transfer of the Ormiston/Corn Exchange building to Trimontium. |
Registrar is based in facility and consideration required about relocation. Discussions with Trimontium Trust required to understand if any desire to take on additional space. |
Earlston
| Service/Property | Proposals within Integratis report | Initial issues and considerations arising from consultants' proposals to start discussions with communities |
|---|---|---|
| Earlston Library | Consultants' Proposal: Close and expand mobile library services. |
The library currently operates from the High School and there are discussions to relocate the library to the new primary school which the community are supportive of. |
Lauder
| Service/Property | Proposals within Integratis report | Initial issues and considerations arising from consultants' proposals to start discussions with communities |
|---|---|---|
| Lauder Public Hall | Consultants' Proposal: Proceed with closure or Community Asset Transfer, ensuring alternative access for users |
This is a Common Good asset and the site on which it stands is part of the Burgh Charter. The hall is used for various community events/activities and is also used as a polling place. Some previous discussions around Community Asset Transfer have taken place. |
Stow
| Service/Property | Proposals within Integratis report | Initial issues and considerations arising from consultants' proposals to start discussions with communities |
|---|---|---|
| Stow Town Hall | Consultants' Proposal: Proceed with closure or transfer to community ownership (Community Asset Transfer) ensuring alternative access for users. |
The building hosts the Parish Archive and is also used for various community events/activities. It is also used as a polling place. There may be interest in Community Asset Transfer. Disposal on open market may be challenging. |
Langlee
| Service/Property | Proposals within Integratis report | Initial issues and considerations arising from consultants' proposals to start discussions with communities |
|---|---|---|
| Langlee Community Centre | Consultants' Proposal: Proceed with closure and activity transfer to Volunteer Hall and new High School. |
This is a well used facility. Community consultation is planned in Langlee as part of work to develop a Locality Plan for the community and discussions around the facility could be progressed in conjunction with this. Opportunities to accommodate activities at the modern facilities at the new primary school and early years centre need to be explored further. Community interest/capacity in Community Asset Transfer is unknown. |
Newtown St Boswells
| Service/Property | Proposals within Integratis report | Initial issues and considerations arising from consultants' proposals to start discussions with communities |
|---|---|---|
| Newtown Community Wing | Consultants' Proposal: Close or pursue Community Asset Transfer where viable |
This building is used for various community events/activities and as a polling place. A community asset transfer potentially would be challenging due to the connection to the SBC-owned Old School Building and its ongoing usage. |
Selkirk
| Service/Property | Proposals within Integratis report | Initial issues and considerations arising from consultants' proposals to start discussions with communities |
|---|---|---|
| Selkirk Leisure Centre | Consultants' Proposal: Consider closure and redistribute access to Galashiels Swimming Pool. |
This is a Common Good asset. The adjacent caravan site makes use of facilities at the centre. Consideration needs to be given to the current condition and capital investment required to maintain the facility, which is likely to be significant. Data provided by the consultants shows the impact on accessibility to swimming from closure is relatively small (based on 30min drive time). |
| Halliwell’s House Museum | Consultants' Proposal: Close |
This is a historic property and consideration would need to be given to alternative usage and potential for Community Asset Transfer or sale. Relocation of collection to Sir Walter Scott's Courthouse could be considered but may be dependant on investment into that facility. The impact on the museum collection would need to be considered. Other considerations include the South of Scotland Responsible Tourism Strategy. |
| Sir Walter Scott’s Courtroom | Consultants' Proposal: Close or integrate with Selkirk Library |
This is a Common Good asset and a culturally significant building. Consideration needs to be given to opportunities to co-locate other services/facilities into this building. Other considerations include the South of Scotland Responsible Tourism Strategy. |
| Selkirk Library | Consultants' Proposal: Retain; explore consolidation with Sir Walter Scott’s Courtroom or alternative service models | Opportunities to co-locate this service into another facility in the community need to be considered. |
| Argus Community Centre | Consultants' Proposal: Close or transfer to Community Asset Transfer |
This site is shared with the high school and is well used by a range of community organisations and a nursery. Interest in a Community Asset Transfer is unknown. A new model of community centre management could also be explored. |
| Selkirk Caravan Park | Consultants' Proposal: Dispose of or Community Asset Transfer |
This is a Common Good asset. There has been investment into the facility in recent years. Facilities at the Leisure Centre are utilised by caravan park users. Other considerations include the South of Scotland Responsible Tourism Strategy. |
Tweedbank
| Service/Property | Proposals within Integratis report | Initial issues and considerations arising from consultants' proposals to start discussions with communities |
|---|---|---|
| Tweedbank Sports Centre and Bowling Hall | Consultants' Proposal: Retain and repurpose the bowling hall to a state of the are fitness centre, replacing the TriFitness centre. |
Consideration needs to be given to the capital investment required to convert the facility for health and fitness use. The impact on bowling needs to be considered, in conjunction with options relating to Teviotdale Leisure Centre and the indoor bowling facility there. |
| Tweedbank Community Centre | Consultants' Proposal: Close or pursue Community Asset Transfer where viable. |
This is a well used facility. The facility is used as a polling place. Interest in a Community Asset Transfer is unknown. A new model of community centre management could also be explored. |