RULING administration councillors at Scottish Borders Council have come under fire after failing to live up their first promise.

Connected Borders 2017-2022 - the Vision of Scottish Borders Council's Administration was launched yesterday afternoon in the headquarters at Newtown St Boswells.

And among its four key commitments, according to the colourful brochure's introduction, is for the consensus of all members of the local authority to agree on a way forward.

But it emerged that no councillors outwith the ruling administration's Conservatives and Independents were either told about the launch - or invited.

Tweeddale councillor Heather Anderson, who sits on the SNP opposition benches, was furious with the snub.

She said: "It’s simply shocking.

"To launch a vision statement in secret and exclude the opposition from one of the key decision making committees of the council suggests that this administration are frightened of scrutiny and don’t want to defend their ideas in public.

"What are they scared of... openness and accountability?"

Connected Borders 2017-2022 - the Vision of Scottish Borders Council's Administration is a broad-brushed statement of intent from the leader Shona Haslam and her administration colleagues.

The brochure highlights a commitment to, among other things, improve digital connectivity, support business, regenerate town centres, develop cycle routes, protect roads budgets and encourage more community involvement in decision making.

But the document also states in the introduction that its commitments are based entirely on the principals of consensus, equality, innovation and community.

Councillor Anderson believes consensus has been lost on the ruling administration ever since being voted into power.

She added: "As a new councillor I am proud of the fact that Scottish Borders Council’s guiding principles are openness, accountability, responsiveness and democracy.

"Unfortunately these guiding principles don’t seem to be shared by this new Tory led administration.

Their first act, back in May, was to exclude all opposition members from the governing executive committee.

A month ago I heard about the South of Scotland City Deal on the TV, because this Tory led administration didn’t bother to consult us.

"Now I am finding out from a journalist that this same administration are launching a vision statement in the next 24 hours.

"I still have been officially told anything about this."

The Peeblesshire News was unable to obtain a response from the ruling administration ahead of yesterday's launch.