The Borders is the only council area in Scotland without rules prohibiting outdoor drinking in public places. Concerns over a rise in alcohol-related crimes have sparked calls for the local authority to use its powers to introduce byelaws. Both the police and health board are said to be “strongly” in favour of a ban, according to one Tweeddale councillor. Before the coronavirus lockdown in March 2020, the council held a consultation seeking the views of communities throughout the Borders to discover if drinking alcohol in public places is causing a problem. There is said to be a division of opinion across the region. Some believe a ban would reduce criminal acts of anti-social behaviour, while others feel law-abiding citizens enjoying a drink outdoors responsibly would be unfairly penalised.
An awkward moment happened at the last meeting of Peebles Community Council. Stock image by Ivan Aleksic on Unsplash AN AWKWARD moment happened at a recent public meeting involving the leader of Scottish Borders Council (SBC). When a member of the public joined the last Peebles Community Council meeting to complain about the state of certain properties in the town, one of the places she listed is the home of Shona Haslam – who was present at the online gathering. Rosie Barley mentioned the former court building without knowing it is owned by Mrs Haslam, a Conservative councillor for Tweeddale East and the leader of SBC.