WHEN Graham Garvie chairs next week’s meeting of Scottish Borders Council, he will bring the curtain down on 25 years of distinguished public service in the region.

For the Peebles councillor, who has represented Tweeddale East since 2003 and has been convener of the local authority since 2012, has decided to call it a day and will not seek re-election on May 4.

His career was marked at the annual conference of the Scottish Liberal Democrats in Aberdeen this week when he was honoured with one of the party’s highest accolades – the John Morrison Award for “outstanding leadership and dedication in local government”.

After receiving the award, Edinburgh-born Mr Garvie reflected on a local government career in the Borders which began in 1985 when he was appointed chief executive of the former Tweeddale District Council, based at Rosetta Road in Peebles.

Before that, he had graduated with a degree in Social Science and Administration from Edinburgh Napier and had worked in the city’s financial sector. His first local government posting was in 1968 with Dunfermline Town Council.

When Tweeddale District Council ceased to exist in 1996, he worked for the Foreign and Commonwealth office as an advisor for economic development in the Balkans before his election to SBC in Tweeddale East as a Lib Dem councillor and his subsequent elevation to the figurehead role of convener.

“I’ve seen both sides of the coin, both as senior officer and elected member, and I’ve seen many changes – not all of them good,” said Mr Garvie.

“I’m very concerned, for instance, at the gradual erosion over many years of the powers and influence of local authorities and their diminished role.

“While I’ve always been in favour of a Scottish Parliament, this is a situation which has gained momentum and worsened considerably since the parliament was established and developed.

“Over the years, local authorities have been blown about by every shade of political wind and important services – such as council housing, further education, tourism, police, water and sewage and environmental protect – have been removed from local democratic control.

“Even the local determination of Council Tax, which now only accounts for just 17 per cent of our council’s spending, has been taken away.

“I’m not at all surprised that this incessant shift of discretionary decision making over crucial public services has contributed to a growing disengagement of the people from politicians and led to an unhealthy cynicism as evidenced by continuing declining turnouts at council elections.”

Despite these misgivings, Mr Garvie says councillors have a key role to play in their communities.

“Although I’m bowing out, I’m particularly pleased that a new generation of younger folk – especially young women - are putting themselves forward for election in May.

“It is a truly rewarding experience to help people facing difficulties and handicaps in their lives and make a real difference.

“As both a chief executive and councillor, I’ve been able to play a part in assisting the development of local businesses, the provision of new schools, the establishment of the Eastgate Theatre in Peebles, bringing the Great Tapestry of Scotland to the Borders and initiating the Borders Athlete Support Programme for elite athletes and coaches.

“It was a very great honour to be elected convener of the council and, in that role, to twice welcome The Queen to our region – for the official openings of refurbished Abbotsford House in 2013 and the Borders Railway two years later.

“I have also particularly relished the special ceremonies we have held in the council chamber at Newtown at which we confer British citizenship of people from all over the world.

“Chairing meetings of the council can be both enjoyable and challenging, although occasionally – when narrow party politics and playing to the gallery come into play – it can be tiresome.

“As a local councillor. I’ve had few regrets although I would have liked to have seen a new high school built in Peebles as has happened in other Borders towns. I’m hopeful this will be addressed by the new council.”

Married to Christine and with two daughters and five grandchildren, Mr Garvie admits to “worrying about the way the world is heading”.

“We seem to have entered a time of inward-looking nationalism which chooses to concentrate on itself to the exclusion of others,” he told the Peeblesshire News.

“History tells us this is a path that thrives on intolerance, fear, uncertainty and conflict.

“It is also a mindset particularly ill-equipped to deal with the really big issues which confront us for our children and grandchildren – climate change, cybercrime, the power of international corporations and financial institutions, population growth and the movement of people, religious conflict and the sourcing of sustainable energy.”