RADICAL proposals to merge NHS Borders and Scottish Borders Council have passed their first hurdle this week.

A nationwide review by the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) was announced at the end of last year.

And an invitation has been posted for public bodies up and down the country to make submissions by the end of this month.

Councillors today agreed that a paper outlining a merger should be sent to Holyrood.

Former council deputy leader and vice-president of COSLA Michael Cook, who is now employed at Newtown as Corporate Policy Advisor, is the author of the controversial paper.

This week his vision for a single authority future received the backing of elected members as well as the local authority's chief executive, Tracey Logan.

She said: “Public services in the Scottish Borders face a number of major challenges currently, including financial pressures, connectivity, an ageing population and young people leaving the area.

"The submission to the Local Governance Review takes the view that a much more proactive stance needs to be taken to help tackle these issues in the long-term.

“We have already seen increased engagement with public sector organisations in the region through projects such as the Scottish Borders Planning Partnership and Health and Social Care Partnership but our submission goes beyond this.

"A single public authority is the option that we feel is most relevant for us to explore further in the Scottish Borders.

“We are at the very beginning of a potential long term journey, which we believe could keep key decision-making in the Scottish Borders and would deliver the best outcomes for our residents, but much more detailed work and consultation as outlined above would be undertaken, should we get the agreement of the Scottish Government and COSLA to move to the next steps.”

Currently Scottish Borders Council and NHS Borders control around £400 million of public funds between them each year - and they employ close to 9,000 staff, when arms-length organisations like Live Borders and SB Cares are included.

With increased budget restraints and an ageing population, it is widely accepted that major changes are required to on the future delivery of services.

The proposals for a single-authority in the Borders is seen as a direct alternative to a previously suggested South-of-Scotland wide authority, amalgamating Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway councils.

NHS Borders chairman John Raine told us: “NHS Borders welcomes the Local Governance Review as an opportunity to engage with partners on how to improve health and social care outcomes for the Borders population.

“There is certainly a ‘big conversation’ to be had and, subject to discussion with Scottish Government, a starting point for dialogue with staff and local partners on possible options for the delivery of future public services in the Borders.”

Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale MSP Christine Grahame said gauging public opinion was crucial before any changes are introduced.

And Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP John Lamont believes budget cuts are forcing both public bodies into a corner.

Scottish Borders Council will now await permission from the Scottish Government and COSLA to start talks with partners, stakeholders and the public about the potential models for a single public authority.