Tweeddale MSP urges councillors to 'find way forward' over nursery mothball proposals

TWEEDDALE’S MSP has penned a letter to Scottish Borders Council’s leader over the potential mothballing of nurseries. A heated debate on the much-criticised proposals (April 15). Leader Euan Jardine and Leaderdale & Melrose representative David Parker both put forward amendments in the chamber, with Cllr Jardine’s passing by nine votes to seven.

Now the SNP's Christine Grahame – MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale – has urged the two to meet in order to “find a way forward which will bring back trust to the parents who feel so let down”. “I have long argued that with all the flaws in the process of reviewing nursery provision in the Borders, not the least keeping parents in the dark until the last moment, it should be paused,” she said. “Cllr David Parker’s amendment which replicated that was narrowly rejected to the audible dismay parents in the public gallery.



A dismay I share. “I have therefore today written to council leader Euan Jardine and councillor David Parker asking them to sit down and find a way forward which will bring back trust to the parents who feel so let down. “Essential to this is an extended and meaningful period of engagement with the communities involved.

“They could then bring forward a joint motion to full council giving every councillor a vote.” Cllr Parker proposed to keep the seven nurseries – Walkerburn, Channelkirk, Cockburnspath, Ednam, Fountainhall, Westruther and Yetholm – open for the whole of the next academic year. He also recommended that a working group consisting of councillors, officers and parents was set up.

Cllr Jardine’s proposals included not mothballing any of the sites “at this time”. Following discussions with affected families across four weeks, a report recommending final decisions will be brought to full council in October. Borders MP John Lamont described Tuesday's decision as a "disgrace".

"Going ahead with a consultation makes no sense when local people are firmly opposed to these plans," said the Conservative MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk. "We all want rural services to be protected, not shut down. "Councillors who voted for this, both from the SNP and my own party, must explain to local people why they think nursery closures should be on the table.

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