The External Services/Providers Monitoring Group of Scottish Borders Council is scheduled to consider the performance and operations of SBc Contracts for the financial year 2025/26. The meeting will also review the minutes from a previous meeting held on 3 February 2026.

SBc Contracts 4th Quarter Report 2025/26

A key item on the agenda is the consideration of the SBc Contracts 4th Quarter Report for the financial year 2025/26. This report, prepared by the Chief Officer Roads, is scheduled to provide a summary of the performance and operations of SBc Contracts up to 31 March 2026. The report outlines the workload undertaken by SBc Contracts, which includes infrastructure improvements across the council's roads and built estate. These improvements are substantially funded by the council's Capital investment programme and encompass various activities such as road surface treatment, civil engineering works, internal building works, bond coat application, traffic management, and sign manufacture.

The report details that for road surface treatment activity, works were completed on 21 sites for Scottish Borders Council (SBC), two sites for Midlothian Council, and four for East Lothian Council. Major capital patching works were completed on 14 sites, with smaller patching works using Jetpatchers and Pothole Pro amounting to 1699 individual repairs covering 11391m², 17981 individual repairs, and 25,460 individual repairs respectively. Surface dressing programmes were successfully completed across an area of 110,597m². The report also highlights the success of the specialist bond coat operation, which completed several schemes and long-term contracts for various councils.

In terms of civil engineering operations, works commenced at 157 individual sites, with 142 completed and 15 carried forward into 2026/27. These works include bridgeworks, flood prevention works, groundworks/construction, and footpath restoration/creation. The report notes that the delivery of these programmes significantly contributes to the local community and relies on the professionalism of the workforce and support from various council departments and external trades.

The report also provides an update on the Roads Asset Investment Programme for 2025/26, detailing works undertaken on 43 bridges, including accident damage insurance works and minor repairs. Specific major works mentioned include repairs to the B6361 Drygrange Old Bridge, B6400 Ale Bridge, Ettrick Bridge, A701 Romanno Bridge, and Caddonfoot Bridge. Additionally, repairs were undertaken on retaining structures, and flood and coastal protection works were completed at Cowdrait Lower Burnmouth Seawall and Ettrick Valley Ettrick Water. Rural roads saw cattle grid replacements at Kershope, Lower Hindhope, Old Kirkhope, and Hartwoodmyres.

The management update within the report addresses challenges related to people and succession planning due to an aging workforce and retirements, which presents a risk to business as usual. The report states that the year has been successful in delivering investment programmes, aided by favourable weather conditions. It also lists major projects secured by SBc Contracts during 2025-26, including Destination Tweed Tweed Trails, Lauder to Oxton Cycleway, Tweedbank Speedway, Lowood Care Village Enabling Works, Border Innovation Park Phase 2, Lowood Estate Pumping Station, Teviot Crescent Hawick Link Footpath, and Selkirk High School Refurbishment. The report concludes by emphasising the diversity, flexibility, and proven record of accomplishment of SBc Contracts as a valuable asset to the council.

Minute of Previous Meeting

The Group is also scheduled to consider the minute of the meeting held on 3 February 2026. This will involve reviewing the official record of discussions and any decisions made during that previous session.