SENIOR councillors have agreed the allocation of £218k to carry out essential upgrades at nine public halls across the Borders.

Funding for electrical repairs, redecoration, provision of seating and carpeting and improvements to PA provision were among the works agreed by Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Committee on Tuesday (September 10).

The largest projects include £80k at the Tait Hall in Kelso for a whole-scale decoration, new seating, carpeting and works to upgrade the toilets.

Additionally, £46k has been set aside for seating, flooring and other works at the Volunteer Hall in Galashiels.

Meanwhile £10k is to be spent on decoration works at the Heart Of Hawick and £40k for a bar, Wi-Fi and other improvements at Selkirk’s Victoria Hall.

It was also agreed to spend £10k to improve Old Gala House’s use as a wedding venue.

Tweeddale East councillor Marshall Douglas said: “I think this work is absolutely essential which is why officers have put this list forward.

“These are major halls, major facilities in our communities and we are not going to be able to market them and use them properly unless they are kept up to standard.

“We should learn the lesson from Live Borders, that a lot of the properties that they managed were allowed to deteriorate and I think as custodian of these halls, these public facilities, we really need to ensure this work is done.

“It’s not exceptional expenditure, it’s essential expenditure.”

Also included among the work agreed is more than £17k on a PA system, electrical upgrades and bar works at Hawick Town Hall.