That was the opening gambit in a hard-hitting attack on the Newtown local authority from community council chairman Robert Kerr.

His platform came at Monday's meeting of SBC's Eildon Area Committee under an item called Community Council Spotlight, which shines on the Royal Burgh once a year.

Mr Kerr's frustration was obvious from the start and it intensified as he called for non-Selkirk members on the committee, which includes councillors from Galashiels, Melrose, Newtown and Lauder, to abstain from voting on all matters affecting the town's conservation area.

He claimed the voice of the people was persistently ignored over a range of issues, most recently when SBC downgraded in the new Local Plan the conservation status which protected the retail designation of shops.

He cited SBC's considerable capital investment on projects like Melrose Square, the Heart of Hawick and Kelso bypass.

"Selkirk is being overlooked," he blasted.

Given Selkirk's history and potential positive tourism resources like Selkirk Hill, the Auld Kirkyard and events such as Scott's Selkirk, Mr Kerr said such underinvestment was a missed opportunity.

He said the neglect was manifest in the visual impact for visitors.

He declared: "The entrance to the town from the north on the A7 is nothing short of a disgrace.

"We are first faced with the Toll banking and its plastic bag covering. It is as ugly as it is depressing. Improving this situation could tie in with tree management issues along the A7 corridor, but would require considerable funding.

"I say to SBC that it must dig deep into its coffers, for Selkirk feels it has lost out too long on a fair share of parks and ground maintenance funding."

He went on: "The next abominable disgrace is St Mary's West Kirk. For years we have endured the blitz of a half-demolished building which is especially distressing on days of wreath-laying at the War Memorial.

"We know there are planning complications, but enough is enough. It's time for SBC to stop hiding behind red tape and enforce action on this developer."

Notwithstanding the call for BEAR Scotland to address glaring defects on roads and pavements (see page 5), Mr Kerr said lack of parking spaces, especially for coaches, continued to affect the town's commercial vitality.

Mr Kerr said SBC should, when addressing town centre issues, follow the example of public and private development companies who have created a vibrant industrial area along the riverside.

He said Market Place was "not fit for purpose" and he supported moves for interested parties to combine in producing a blueprint for its regeneration.

And he maintained this should include the areas behind the facades of High Street and Chapel Street.