Council launches Common Good consultation

Scottish Borders Council has launched a consultation that aims to seek public views on the Common Good registers for the former Burghs of the Scottish Borders. All Borderers are invited to participate in this consultation before the closing date of 31 March 2022.

 

The consultation can be found via www.scotborders.gov.uk/consultations

 

Following an investigation of the assets held by Scottish Borders Council, a draft asset register has been prepared for each former Burgh. The Council has considered title deeds (for land and buildings), museum records and old Burgh minutes. Where an asset was donated to a town, prior to 1975; where it was purchased from Common Good funds; or where it has historically been used by the people of the town as a public asset, the Council has determined that the asset should form part of the Common Good.

 

However, SBC is seeking public opinion on whether any additional assets should be included on these registers or conversely, if an item on the register is not Common Good.

 

At the end of the consultation period, each Common Good Sub-Committee will meet to discuss the comments received via the consultation. These comments will be considered, along with the evidence available, in order to determine whether any assets should be added to, or removed from, the register. All representations and responses, together with a copy of the final register, will then be published within six months of the closing of the consultation.

 

Any further information on the assets already noted in the register is also welcomed. Furthermore, if any additional information comes to light after the publication of the final register, the register can be amended to include newly identified assets.