Be more positive about Selkirk, says outgoing council chair

Giving his report to the council’s AGM in the Victoria Halls on Monday night, he reflected on the last four years of his stewardship.

“The experience has generally been a good one, sometimes challenging, sometimes frustrating with elements of enjoyment thrown in for good measure,” he said.

Mr Easton said challenges faced during the four years had been met with professionalism and commitment.

And he added: “While external factors are often outwith our immediate control as a community council, having to deal with internal matters involving our own elected community councillors is frustrating, time consuming and deviates from the work we are all attempting to carry out for the people of Selkirk.

“I believe we have all learned lessons from the type of incidents I am referring to and now have the confidence and self-assurance to deal with them positively should similar situations arise.”

He then went on to say there were a lot of positives about Selkirk and that sometimes, people perhaps forgot how lucky they were to live, work and go to school in such a beautiful area.

Listing all successful projects in the town over the last four years, Mr Easton told the meeting: “We need to be taking a more positive approach to what we have, what we can offer and how to seduce more businesses and visitors to the area.

“This is a role that not only the community council is responsible for but the residents and good people of this place and the wider area.”

•Mr Easton was later elected as vice-chair of the community council, with Alistair Pattullo elected as new chairman.