Council says it is ‘open’ to merger with NHS board

A merger between the Scottish Borders Council and the authority’s local NHS board is a step closer.

If agreed, the council would become the first in Scotland to complete such a merger.

A council report described the proposals as an “unprecedented opportunity”. The authority, base in Melrose, will tell the Scottish Government’s local governance review it is open to the idea.

The merger would form a single organisation with 9,000 staff and a budget of more than £400 million of public money if it goes ahead.