TWEEDDALE residents are invited to have their say on the development of a new locality plan at a public meeting next week.

The first gathering of the newly named Tweeddale Area Partnership (formerly Tweeddale Area Forum) will take place at the MacFarlane Hall in Peebles at 7pm on Wednesday, January 10.

The Tweeddale locality plan will contribute to the community plan – Our Scottish Borders, Your Community which was approved in draft version by Scottish Borders Council in November.

The meeting is the first of five that will take place annually.

They will each concentrate on a key theme and aim to create a debate to establish priorities and outcomes for the community.

To kick the year off, next week will take the theme of ‘Our Economy and Skills’.

Chaired by Councillor Robin Tatler (Ind), the meeting will comprise of all six Tweeddale councillors, plus four representatives from the community councils in Tweeddale and a variety of partners and representatives from public and private organisations – relevant to the subject under discussion.

Next week’s attendees will include representatives from Scottish Enterprise, community development trusts, local businesses, social enterprises and training bodies who will be invited to attend and contribute. 

The event will also provide the opportunity for members of the public to come along and participate in the discussion.

Councillor Tatler told the Peeblesshire News: “This is a real opportunity for everyone to become involved in developing a set of priorities and outcomes for Tweeddale in the coming years, which will drive future actions by public and private organisations. 

“It will only be successful if we can achieve real and varied participation, so I encourage you to come along and make your voice heard.”

Future themes will include: Our Health, Care and Wellbeing; Our Quality of Life; and Our Place.

For information and questions, email robin.tatler@scotborders.gov.uk