Top Award for Council Top CATs

Dumfries and Galloway Council achieved the top spot at the local government ‘Oscars’ on Thursday 19 September by winning the Excellence Award for Strengthening Communities and Local Democracy.

Receiving the award from Jane O’Donnell, Chief Executive of COSLA, in front of 300 of their peers was a highlight for the team from the council and the national Community Ownership Support Service – who have worked together on our programme of Community Asset Transfers (known as CATs) over the last seven years. This joint work has supported community groups to fulfil their great ideas for former council buildings and land, and lever in £27 million of external investment to our region.

A short video shown at the event showcased some examples of the 47 community asset transfers agreed to-date from across the whole region, and explained why the team are ‘Top CATs.’ It highlighted the single point of contact for community groups, a rigorous procedure, robust business plans and involving community councillors and youth councillors in the decision-making, along with Area Committees and a service committee.

Speaking after the ceremony, council Leader Gail Macgregor said: “I am incredibly proud of the council team, our partners and our communities whose amazing work has achieved this tremendous result. To win such an accolade, being acknowledged as the very best across the whole of Scotland, is testament to the professionalism and commitment of everyone involved. It’s a great honour for our region.”

The award will feature at the start of the Full Council meeting on Thursday 3 October.


ENDS