It is proposed that local communities, community councils, area partnerships, and local partners will all be involved in the process.

Should this week’s report recommendations be agreed a more detailed paper setting out the proposed review will be brought back to Scottish Borders Council in February 2021.

Councillor Shona Haslam, council leader, said: “This review recognises that we need to the change the way that we work, and change the way that services are delivered to our communities. We have to adapt to ensure that the services we deliver are of the highest quality, meeting the needs of our communities and are sustainable in the long term.

“COVID-19 has changed the way we provide some frontline services and how residents carry out transactions and interact with the council. Going forward we must build on that experience and make these processes even better, whilst also providing for those who still want or need to speak to someone face-to-face to resolve any issues they may be having.”

She added: “The review will be an opportunity for everyone in our communities and our partners to engage with this work and help shape the future of Council services.

“Critically, this does not change our ongoing commitment to investing in new and improved facilities. In fact, there are lots of opportunities before us through the Town Centre Regeneration Fund, South of Scotland Enterprise Agency and Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal. All of these mean that the future is bright for our communities and town and village centres.

“This review is about ensuring that investments are made in the best place, are supporting the delivery of the right services and are based on joined up work with our partners and communities.”

A key theme of the council’s Fit for 2024 programme is making better use of its properties, while it has also recently made significant environmental commitments with the aim of reducing its greenhouse gases impact to net zero by 2045 at the latest.

Councillor Scott Hamilton, executive member for transformation and service improvement, added: “The council must continue its drive to be ever more sustainable, environmentally and financially, and as part of that we have to look at how we deliver services for our residents.

“Significant amounts of money are spent every year by the council on maintaining and operating some properties which are inefficient, under-utilised and do not best serve our communities. This is money that could be reprioritised to support other essential services that we provide to our local residents.

“This review will be an opportunity for the council, communities and partners to take stock of where we are and develop sustainable plans for the future that benefit all of us and that are focused on how public services are best delivered to our communities.”