Capital plan projects include three new secondary schools (Peebles, Galashiels and Hawick), two new primary schools (Earlston and Eyemouth) and two care villages (Tweedbank and Hawick).

A total of just over £205 million has been set aside for these projects alone.

Other draft budget highlights include:

• Following feedback from residents the budget proposals protect frontline services, including education, social work and roads, the latter with investment of £21.9m over the next three years
• Ongoing investment in existing schools, further flood protection works and flood studies, and targeted town centre regeneration works
• Continued investment into the environment and to programmes aimed at helping the council achieve its net zero target
• Continued investment into improved outdoor community spaces and play parks (£2.2m over the next three years).

The draft revenue and capital budget proposals have been developed following collaborative work over a number of months by a cross-party group of Councillors. The 866 responses received through the annual budget survey and feedback from Community Conversations this summer have also shaped the plans.

Council leader, Councillor Euan Jardine, said: “I think we all anticipated that developing budget plans during and immediately after the Covid-19 pandemic would be the hardest we’d ever experience, but this year it has proved to be even more challenging.

“For that reason, I am incredibly proud that councillors across the chamber put aside political differences and successfully came together to develop this single plan. I want to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues for their efforts and support.

“The impact of the rapid rise in inflation and associated costs cannot be overstated, and these hit the council budget from all angles: catering in schools, energy prices, construction of our capital projects, and by placing more families in need of our support.

“But, despite the financial challenges we will still deliver what was an already ambitious capital investment plan, including new secondary schools in Peebles, Galashiels and Hawick and primary schools in Earlston and Eyemouth. We will deliver care facilities in Tweedbank and Hawick as previously set out, and we will still be able to invest in the regeneration of our town centres and support our communities and the most vulnerable.

“We are also maintaining our roads maintenance funding and protecting frontline services, where savings would have been felt by all. Given the current financial climate that really is incredibly positive news.”

The draft financial plan will be considered at a meeting of full council on Thursday 23 February.