Scottish Borders Housing Association (SBHA) and Scottish Borders Council (SBC) have settled a legal dispute that has been ongoing since the transfer of housing stock from SBC to SBHA in 2003.

In a joint statement today, SBC and SBHA confirmed that a constructive solution had been reached “in the mutual interests of both organisations”. The settlement resolves responsibility for certain areas of roads, footpaths and street lighting and a payment of £250,000 for liabilities transferred to SBHA from SBC.

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New joint working arrangements in the form of a concordat have also been agreed and will be launched later in the year. Examples of areas it will cover include the prevention of homelessness, increasing the opportunities to build new homes and address run down, hard to let homes; creating increased opportunities for apprenticeships and training and working together in neighbourhoods to address local issues.

Council Leader David Parker, said: “Legal negotiations over the housing stock transfer have been ongoing for several years and we are delighted to now put it all behind us. This settlement will enable us to move forward and work effectively together for the benefit of the Borders.”

Chair of SBHA, Ray Licence, said: “We are delighted to have agreed a settlement and concordat that enables both SBHA and SBC to move forward and work together in the interests of SBHA tenants and the communities in which they live.”

(GK/KMcA)