Rachael Hamilton MSP and Council Leader Mark Rowley have called on the SNP Government to give the Scottish Borders Council a fair funding settlement.
The core Local Government Budget Settlement represents a real-terms cut of £251 million for Scottish councils. Local government capital funding is over £200 million short of what COSLA said councils need just to survive.
Despite repeated SNP cuts, Conservative-led Scottish Borders Council has spent £58.344m on roads and pavements surfacing.
The council has increased spending every year with an additional £1.4m next year, but Ms Hamilton and Conservative councillors believe this investment could have been higher had the SNP Government not cut its funding allocation.
Looking ahead, SBC plans to have a total roads surfacing investment in its latest financial plan of £95.1m.
Mrs Hamilton has highlighted that the Conservative-led council is delivering increased investment despite the difficulties brought about by SNP cuts.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
“Scottish Borders Council, like many councils across Scotland, is having to make difficult financial decisions in light of damaging SNP cuts.
“The SNP treat local councils with distain and this shows in the real terms cut of £251 million to Scottish councils.
“Despite this, SBC are trying their best to deliver increased investment in Borders roads.
“Using our cars to travel to get about is important in the Borders, and we rely on good quality roads, that are well maintained.
“Had the SNP not cut SBC’s budget, roads investment could have been higher, leading to fewer potholes.
“The Scottish Conservatives would reverse these cuts, and give councils the money they rightly deserve”
Councillor Mark Rowley said:
"We've a huge road network in the Borders that's vital to our residents as they go about their lives as they often have to travel significant distances to access services. They are also important to tourism as the vital setting for the many rallies, tours and cycling events that come here.
“I'm proud that the Conservative-led Administration at Scottish Borders Council have, yet again, managed to increase funding for road repairs despite another disappointing Scottish Government settlement.
“We are not just spending more each year, we are spending it better, with innovative new equipment and a strong commitment to move even further towards permanent repairs, not just the old temporary patching.
“Our extensive consultation told us what Borders residents wanted and on roads, as on schools and economic regeneration we’ve delivered”.
