TWO elected members were warned to keep politics out of community council meetings following a tetchy clash over Scottish Government funding for play parks.

During councillor’s reports at a virtual gathering in Peebles earlier this month, the tension was palpable.

Tweeddale councillors Shona Haslam (Cons) and Heather Anderson (SNP) were politely told off by acting chairman Scott Rae.

Ms Anderson announced that the Scottish Government would invest millions into local authorities to enhance play areas over the next few years.

She said: “As you will all remember, 11 playparks in Tweeddale were closed down a couple of years ago, and we had a consultation back then, and there’s a promise from the council that there will be a consultation with communities about how the future money is going to be spent. There’s £113,000 to be spent before the end of March this year.

“I think the decision on where that is to be spent has already been made given the timescale.

“Still, it’s really important that you look out for the consultation for the funding that’s coming in future years so that you can prioritise the play parks in Tweeddale that you want investment in.”

During Mrs Haslam’s report, she clarified that no park would be closed or decommissioned in Tweeddale until the Victoria play and skate parks are fully complete.

She added: “I just want to manage expectations regarding the £113,000 that’s come from the Scottish Government. We have over 200 play parks in the Scottish Borders, which equates to around £470 per play park, so you can start to see the scale of things when you put it like that.

“The full £50m the Scottish Government is investing in play parks, that amounts to £2,000 per play park across Scotland, which doesn’t buy a swing these days; so we have to manage expectations a little bit around the money that’s coming for playparks from the Scottish Government.

“It sounds like a lot of money, but it really isn’t when you distribute among the play parks.

“This money has to go to playparks from Eyemouth to West Linton, from Newcastleton to Longformacus and the north of the Scottish Borders as well.”

Mrs Haslam told the meeting that £113,000 would not be coming to Tweeddale for play parks.

At this point, Ms Anderson interjected, but was quickly shut down by the council leader, who said: “Heather, you’ve had your political chat; it’s my turn now.”

Bringing the meeting to order, acting chairman Scott Rae said: “Can we try and keep politics out of the community council, please.

“It’s not something I particularly want to have to deal with.”

The council leader replied: “Yes, please, that would be lovely.”