ON TUESDAY councillors will be asked to approve the administration’s budget.

But they will also hear from members of the opposition who, for the first time in ten years, have written an alternative financial plan.

The SNP and Liberal Democrats have come together to serve up a second option.

Among their proposals are to:

  • Establish a £1.2 million Fairness Fund to address rural poverty and isolation
  • Spend £500,000 on a ‘Cleaner Communities’ project to help tackle dog fouling, littering and anti-social behaviour
  • Invest £2 million to improve roads
  • Adjust the capital programme to release an extra £16 million to keep the council’s school building programme on track.

Tweeddale East Councillor Stuart Bell (SNP), leader of the opposition, said: “We want to change funding priorities to bring forward at least two more new high schools. 

“At present four need refurbishment or replacement. 

“We will maintain the pace of school development and we will also inject more cash into school repairs and redecoration. 

“In addition, in response to public concerns, the £2 million of new money for our roads is for resurfacing and not just patching.

“Throughout the council budget process the Lib Dem and SNP opposition parties sought to resource our manifesto priorities. 

“That means that through the detail of our alternative budget we have worked to defend some important public services. 

“Amongst services we have protected are the opening hours for recycling centres.

“Another change we made was to reject a proposal to cut school crossings patrol staff.”

Tweeddale West Councillor Heather Anderson (SNP) added: “We have focused on protecting the most vulnerable in our society.

“Making sure that everyone gets a fair deal is at the heart of our budget.”