Scottish Borders Council meets to agree spending plans

Scottish Borders Council's administration had already tabled draft budget plans

Scottish Borders Council has agreed its budget and ongoing plans for the next financial year.

The administration had already outlined draft budget proposals which would see council tax frozen for the eighth successive year.

The £252m programme feeds into its five-year revenue and 10-year capital spending plans.

It includes replacements for Langlee Primary and Broomlands Primary in Kelso and an overhaul of Galashiels schools.

However, 55 jobs will also be lost, although the Independent, SNP and Lib Dem coalition administration says there will be no compulsory redundancies.

Other plans include flood prevention work in Selkirk and Jedburgh with plans also in place for Hawick.

The authority aims to transfer social care and cultural services such as museums and libraries to arm's length companies and trusts as it tries to meet a savings target of nearly £30m by 2020.

Councillors in neighbouring Dumfries and Galloway have already agreed their budget plans to cut spending by more than £8m in the next financial year.