RADICAL proposals to merge NHS Borders and Scottish Borders Council will be tabled next week.

A nationwide review by the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) was announced at the end of last year.

And an invitation has been posted for public bodies up and down the country to make submissions by the end of this month.

If agreed by councillors next week, the paper outlining a merger will be sent to Holyrood.

Former council deputy leader and vice-president of COSLA Michael Cook, who is now employed at Newtown as Corporate Policy Advisor, is the author of the controversial paper.

And he has the backing of the local authority's bosses.

SBC Chief Executive Tracey Logan said: “Public services in the Scottish Borders face a number of major challenges currently, including financial pressures, connectivity, an ageing population and young people leaving the area.

“The proposed submission to the Local Governance Review takes the view that a much more proactive stance needs to be taken to help tackle these issues in the long-term.

“We have already seen increased engagement with public sector organisations in the region through projects such as the Scottish Borders Planning Partnership and Health and Social Care Partnership but our submission goes beyond this.

“A single public authority for the Borders could allow the full power of the public sector’s assets, activities and resources to be joined together to better meet the region’s priorities."

Currently Scottish Borders Council and NHS Borders control around £400 million of public funds between them each year - and employ close to 9,000 staff, when arms-length organisations like Live Borders and SB Cares are included.

With increased budget restraints and an ageing population, it is widely accepted that major changes are required to on the future delivery of services.

Despite presenting a compelling case for a single authority, Mr Cook admits there could be problems with balancing a joint budget.

He stated: "Among the chief risks associated with delivering increased integration and, ultimately, a single public authority are that the new model fails to properly integrate different staff groups, particularly at the frontline, impeding its delivery and performance, and the demand for health care and its demand for resources undermine the ability of the authority to plan properly and apply adequate resources to non-health areas of activity.

"Conversely, financial pressures across a range of services could render the authority unable to devote adequate resources to meeting health demands."

It is understood the proposals for a single-authority in the Borders will challenge previous suggestions for a south-of-Scotland wide authority, amalgamating Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway councils.

And they have been cautiously welcomed in most quarters.

NHS Borders chairman John Raine told us: “NHS Borders welcomes the Local Governance Review as an opportunity to engage with partners on how to improve health and social care outcomes for the Borders population.

"There is certainly a ‘big conversation’ to be had and, subject to discussion with Scottish Government, a starting point for dialogue with staff and local partners on possible options for the delivery of future public services in the Borders.”

Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale MSP Christine Grahame believes gauging public opinion is crucial before any changes are introduced.

She said: "In a period of Tory austerity with more to come, tax payers' money has to be used as effectively as possible so I cautiously welcome these early considerations of amalgamating NHS Borders and SBC, especially with more Tory austerity to come and the economic impact of Brexit.

"However there must be full public consultation and if it appears that my constituents would lose out on services then I would not support such a move - I will therefore be monitoring this proposal carefully."

Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP John Lamont believes budget cuts are forcing both public bodies into a corner.

He said: "This is a very radical proposal which needs to be carefully considered.

"It is sensible to look at whether public services can be better run.

"However, this is only being proposed because of budget cuts coming Holyrood.

"Scottish Borders Council are NHS Borders are increasingly being asked to deliver more for less money and that is why they are under pressure.”

Members of Scottish Borders Council are being advised to approve the proposals when they meet on Tuesday.