Peebles Community Council has challenged Scottish Borders Council’s claim that it has given Live Borders an extra £6 million.
Its own analysis, discussed at its February meeting, found that once inflation is taken into account, funding has fallen by 45% in real terms since 2016. Even with the extra money, it is still about 25% lower. It also found that £1 million of the “additional funding” was a loan.
Meanwhile, library staff numbers have been cut and community groups are being asked to take on buildings at short notice.
Leisure, libraries and culture are not luxuries. They keep people healthy, connected and less isolated. Scottish Borders Greens want honest figures, published in full, and a funding settlement that lets these services survive.
