THE new Administration that will run Scottish Borders Council (SBC) for the next five years has published its programme for local government in the Scottish Borders, 'Ambitious for the Borders 2012'.

The document sets out the partnership agreement for the programme of local government that has been agreed by the Independent, Scottish National Party (SNP) and Liberal Democrat members of SBC's Administration.

An event hosted by Council Leader, Councillor David Parker was held at SBC Headquarters on Thursday where group leaders Councillors Michael Cook (Independent), John Mitchell (SNP) and Catriona Bhatia (Lib Dem) signed the agreement.

Councillor David Parker, Leader of SBC, said: "This document will govern some of the work we do over the next five years. Not every single priority or policy is in this document however these are the key themes that we will be looking at in the early days of the council as we move forward.

"As part of this work one of the key areas that we will be looking at is economic development which needs to be given a stronger focus and should be central to all the work that takes place across all departments. This has been recognised in response to economic challenges that we face and is one of the main areas where we will ensure we do everything we can to make the Borders an area that we want to live, work, grow up and invest in." For more on this story, pick up a copy of this week's Border Telegraph.