South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has said he is “very concerned” after recommendations to close numerous leisure, cultural and community facilities were made to Scottish Borders Council.

A council report highlighted that the current Live Borders delivery model was “unsustainable” and said £2.5m of additional local authority funding had been needed last year – on top of a £4.8m management fee – to keep services operating.

Councillors last week agreed they would now look at ways to allow communities to participate in shaping any future property and service recommendations.

Colin Smyth said: “While the situation facing Scottish Borders Council is by no means unique, this report is extremely worrying.

“After years and years of cuts, local authorities across Scotland are faced with very hard decisions about the future of services.

“However, cuts on this scale would have a massive impact on people’s lives in the Borders and the council needs to ensure that communities do not lose out as a result of any closures.

“Just some of the facilities on the list for closure include swimming pools, leisure centres, museums and libraries. These places are often the beating heart of their communities and to see them closed or scaled back would be really shocking.

“I would urge the council to ensure as many people’s voices are heard before any final decisions are taken and if need be, they should look again at the Live Borders model and whether it is the best way of protecting services.”