Agreed at the full council meeting on Friday, the 2026/27 budget will:

• sustain local services and support key projects
• continuing with an innovative capital programme enabling investment in infrastructure, such as schools, roads, care facilities, and business spaces
• safeguard essential services like education, social care and support for vulnerable residents
• invest in transport to increase connectivity across the borders for local people.

The council has always had one of the lowest Council Tax rates in mainland Scotland and this will remain so. This year, the budget includes an 8.5% rise in Council Tax. While an increase in Council Tax has been agreed the rise has been kept as low as possible in the face of the growing need for services in communities across the Borders.

Despite facing many challenges, SBC has a proven track record of strong financial management. This financial plan underscores the council’s commitment to continuing investment in significant infrastructure including new schools and residential care villages and investment in roads. It has committed funding to support housing, transport connectivity and infrastructure.

In addition, there will be no cuts to waste services, no reduction in care packages, no reduction in teacher numbers and no reduction in grants to local festivals.

Budget highlights include:

• a comprehensive financial strategy that includes an inward investment boost of £412,000 economic development fund
• developing innovative solutions with partners to deliver an estimated 400 new homes at Tweedbank supporting local people while attracting more to live in the Scottish Borders
• investing £10 million on bus services to increase connectivity across the borders for local people
• protecting social and care services; supporting our NHS colleagues, to support services for older people
• providing over £33m to ensure developments progress at Tweedbank and Hawick
• delivering a new High School in Hawick.  

The 2026/27 Financial Plan was developed by a cross-party Budget Working group, which will now focus on identifying options for future service change to support long‑term financial sustainability. It will continue to engage with communities ahead of the 2027/28 budget being set next February.