THE new council needs to “hit the ground running” in order to help struggling Borders families, according to a new Tweeddale West councillor.

Viv Thomson, of the SNP, was elected to the ward alongside Conservative Eric Small and Liberal Democrat Drummond Begg after residents took to the polls last week.

Ms Thomson said the cost-of-living crisis has ramped up pressure on families across the region and the council needs to help in any way it can.

Speaking to this newspaper after being elected, Ms Thomson said: “It feels really good, it’s been a really good result. There’s an element of relief as Heather had the seat before and I didn’t want to lose it.

“I think people want change, they want to move away from what they’ve had with the council. I want to help the people of Tweeddale, I’m very optimistic.”

She added: “People are really struggling and we need to look at what we can do to relieve the pressure on families.

“It’s a huge job and we need to hit the ground running.”

Fellow new councillor Mr Begg said that tackling the cost-of-living crisis was a priority, as well as pushing for sustainability.

“I hope to bring energy and enthusiasm to the role,” he said. “Two thirds of the budget is spent on health and social care and education and we really need to make sure that we’re getting the best out of those services. It really is all about public services in the council.

“People are really concerned about the sustainability agenda and we need to be more determined to tackle the climate crisis.”

Elsewhere in the ward, Mr Small – who was re-elected – said he hoped the council could build on what was achieved in the past five years.

Speaking to this newspaper, Mr Small said he would like to sit on the local authority’s planning committee, as he did during the last term.

“We need to get more affordable houses for young couples,” he said. “We want to keep them in the Borders and not lose them to Midlothian or other areas.”

During the hustings before the election, criticisms were levelled at the Conservative over a lack of surgeries during his time as a councillor.

After being re-elected, he said it was something he would look at.

“Everyone knows me in the local community, I’m a well-known face but it’s something I’ll possibly look at and look to see what’s the best way to take it forward.”

Mr Small received 893 votes and was elected at stage five. Ms Thomson was elected at stage one after getting 1,266 votes, while Mr Begg’s 1,100 votes saw him elected at stage three.

Dominic Ashmole (792 votes), Julia Reid (312) and John Smith (466) missed out on election.