Recent Press Releases

We publish all of our press releases from the last 12 months here so you can keep up to date.
Please email pressenquiry@dumgal.gov.uk if you'd like further details on any of our press releases.
If you want to speak to a communications officer, you can find their office-hours telephone numbers and what areas of the council they cover at www.dumgal.gov.uk/pressenquiry.

  • Ready Set Read Time at the Library

    Tuesday, 11 July 2023 16:05

    Libraries and Customer Service Centres across Dumfries and Galloway are getting ready for children to explore some sport and games as part of Ready Set Read, through the Summer Reading Challenge Scotland 2023. The Reading Agency and libraries are excited to be working in collaboration with the Youth Sports Trust, and this year’s challenge will be all about games and sports.

    What activities do you love doing? Are you a brilliant runner? Or a fantastic table tennis player? Are you a games master among your friends? All children can join Ready Set Read for the summer reading challenge to take part in games and sports in any way that suits them. During the summer holidays children are encouraged to borrow and read six books from their local Library and Customer Service Centre in return for goodies such as bookmarks, frisbees, pencils and paper games. Every child who completes the challenge will receive a certificate and medal.

    Children's reading can 'dip' during the long summer holidays if they don’t have regular access to books and encouragement to read for pleasure. This can be a challenge for schools to put right in the new term, and The Reading Agency’s annual Summer Reading Challenge really helps by getting three quarters of a million children into libraries over the summer. There is no other free reading activity that involves so many children, introduces families to their library, encourages children to choose books freely and independently and is endorsed by both parents and teachers.

    Councillor Ian Blake, Chair of Communities Committee said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is a great way to encourage children to pick up a book and read over the summer holidays. The challenge also encourages children and their families to visit our libraries.”

    Councillor Jackie McCamon, Vice Chair of Communities Committee added: “The partnership between the local library service and the Reading Agency is a great way to motivate children to enjoy reading and visit their local library.”

    Just pop down to your local library or customer service centre now to register – it’s all free and it’s fun, which is great news for parents!

  • The First Bicycle and My First Bicycle

    Tuesday, 11 July 2023 15:52

    This summer, Dumfries Museum is hosting a new exhibition celebrating the history of the bicycle and all that it has meant for people in terms of freedom, fitness, leisure and work. None of these developments would have been possible without the first bicycle. Built by Kirkpatrick MacMillan in 1839, the museum is pleased to have an example on display that features prominently in this exhibition.

    To enhance this exhibition and highlight the significance of the bicycle to all of our lives, the museum is looking for photographs showing people with or on their first bicycle. These photographs will be displayed near the example of the first bicycle.

    Councillor Ian Blake, Chair of the Councils Communities Committee said: "We hope that lots of people will get involved in this community initiative, and we look forward to seeing many photos of the people of Dumfries and Galloway on display in our museums."

    We all remember our first bike and many of us have photographs of ourselves with our pride and joy. If you would like to share your photograph with us, please email it to dumfriesmuseum@dumgal.gov.ukor phone 01387 253374 to speak with a member of staff. You are also be welcome to bring your photograph to the museum during its opening hours.

    "The timing of this exhibition is ideal as Dumfries and Galloway welcomes the UCI Cycling World Championships in August" said Councillor Jackie McCamon. "Now is the time to celebrate the cycling heritage of our region."

    Photographs will be on display throughout August in Dumfries Museum to celebrate the Summer of Cycling.

  • Dumfries Parties to Youth Beatz Festival 2023

    Wednesday, 05 July 2023 12:58

    A full capacity crowd descended on Park Farm, Dumfries on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 July for the UK’s largest free youth music festival. An audience of around 40,000 over the course of the weekend were entertained by fantastic performances on the Main Stage, Second Stage and Third Stage. The Youth Beatz Festival Main Stage featured performances from headliners HRVY, B*Witched, Joel Corry, Callum Beattie, Vengaboys and Ella Henderson – as well as some performers from across Dumfries and Galloway. The Second Stage, run in partnership with DMC (Dumfries Music Collective), featured performers from across Dumfries and Galloway and the rest of Scotland including Becca Starr, The Rahs, The High Priestess and Euan Pattie. The Third Stage featured performances from dance acts from across the region, including Stranraer, Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Lockerbie.

    Over the weekend, social media has been full of posts, tags and comments, with some of the acts also getting involved in posting content. Saturday headliner Joel Corry posted to Instagram “Always love coming to Scotland, Dumfries it was a pleasure, thanks for all the love.” Sunday headliner Ella Henderson found out just before her performance that her new single 0800 HEAVEN with Joel Corry and Nathan Dawe hit number one on the Big Top 40. She shared on her Instagram “Thank you @capitalofficial!! #0800HEAVEN hit no.1 on the @bigtop40 the same day as we were performing in Dumfries, so I got everyone to join in for a huge THANK YOU, more to come.”

    Sunday headliner Callum Beattie posted to his social media “that’s what this life is all about!” and shared lots of the crowd’s tagged Instagram stories onto his own channel.

    The Toon youth drama production is a major feature of Youth Beatz and is designed to be a hard hitting and shocking way of providing information to young people aged 14 to 25 about current issues that may be affecting them or may affect them in the future.

    The interactive experience was host to over 2257 young people on the Youth Beatz Festival weekend – that is on top of the schools shows and preview performances to 1851 young people in the week leading up to the festival weekend. Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Youth Work Service, together with partners, support a group of young volunteers to deliver the interactive youth zone by attendance at issue-based training plus performance and production camps. The Toon invites groups of young people to experience issues focussed on domestic abuse, knife crime, drugs and alcohol, mental health and bullying in short interpretive scenes.

    Some of the comments from young people who went through The Toon were:

    “Toon gives you information in a different way, and the fact its designed by young people makes it more relatable.”

    “The Toon really opened my eyes as to what young people today go through, and it’s good to know you are never alone with how you’re feeling.”

    “The Toon young volunteers have done a fantastic job again in delivering their drama production, a huge well done to them all.”

    Other attractions on the weekend included a wide range of activities from youth information to giant inflatables. Youth work partners promoted their services alongside partners from local and national community organisations within the youth information marketplace. The Kids Tent was non-stop all day, featuring performances from Daffy Dill, Road Runner, Uncle Billy and Double Trouble, and turned into a family rave each night with Big Fish Little Fish.

    Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Communities Committee, Councillor Ian Blake said: “Dumfries and Galloway Council is once again delighted with the high-quality event that has been delivered in our region. As the UK’s largest free youth music festival, Youth Beatz has highlighted what our region has to offer, and this would not be possible without the help and valuable inputs of all of the dedicated staff, the Events Team and volunteers, and we are incredibly appreciative of all of their fantastic efforts.”

    One young person attending the festival over the weekend said: “Thank you for two absolutely fantastic days.”

    Another festival goer said: “Well done to everyone involved in organising, staffing and supporting this event. It was such an amazing weekend! Youth Beatz gets bigger and better every year, and we are so lucky to have such a brilliant event on our doorstep!”

    Families and young people travelled from across Scotland for the event. One said: “Well done guys, Inverclyde young people visiting you guys had a blast. As always, amazing.”

    Vice-Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Communities Committee, Councillor Jackie McCamon said of the event: “We are so proud to host Scotland’s largest free youth music event right here in Dumfries and Galloway. We welcomed 40,000 young people from across our region and the rest of Scotland, and the feedback has been amazing from attendees. Youth Beatz is more than a music festival, it allows young people to broaden their horizons and to try new things, and we already can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2024.”

    Another key feature of the festival is the Youth Beatz Fringe which runs in the lead up to the event, and this year featured events in each ward area of our region. The events that featured were all well attended by members of the local community, and included silent discos, football nights, pool parties, outdoor cinemas and family fun days.

    The award-winning event was managed through a partnership led by Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Young People’s Service in conjunction with the Oasis Events Team and Event Scotland. Funding for the event has been secured from Young Start, CashBack for Communities, Magnox, Youth Link Scotland and Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Dumfries and Galloway.

    The Council’s Youth Work Service would like to thank all partners involved in planning the event and hopefully look forward to building on the success in the future. To view pictures of the event, head to our social media channels and check out our website www.youthbeatz.co.uk

    ENDS

  • Amazing Summer Roadshows Back for 2023

    Tuesday, 04 July 2023 09:36

    The Amazing Summer Roadshows are returning this summer to unleash unforgettable fun across Dumfries and Galloway communities. These events are jam-packed with activities for children, young people and their families, and are proudly funded by Dumfries and Galloway Council.

    Commencing on Thursday 20 July until Sunday 20 August, the Amazing Summer Roadshows will travel across Dumfries and Galloway from Tuesday to Sunday each week, providing 100 sessions over 80 different communities over the summer. From Colvend to Kirkinner, Canonbie to St John’s Town of Dalry, Kelloholm to Port Logan, the roadshows will be delivering events so that all communities can get involved.

    Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Communities Committee, Councillor Ian Blake said: “For the third year running, the Amazing Summer Roadshows are focussed on providing opportunities for children and young people throughout the summer, regardless of where they live in Dumfries and Galloway. The tour will see activities delivered in 100 different communities from remotely rural villages to our large towns.”

    The Amazing Summer Roadshows are a partnership programme delivered Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Active Schools, Lifelong Learning and Youth Work Services, and supported by a wide range of partners including NHS Dumfries and Galloway, third sector organisations and community groups. Each community event lasts for three hours, with daytime sessions running 1pm to 4pm and evening sessions running 6pm to 9pm – each providing a range of activities such as crafts, sports, sports coaching, games, music, and refreshments.

    Vice Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Communities Committee, Councillor Jackie McCamon said: “Sessions are free to attend and a great day out for the community, we would encourage everyone to get involved when the roadshow is in their area this summer.”

    The full programme for where the Roadshows will be touring over the summer can be found here: https://youthenquiryservice.org/whats-on

  • Summer of cycling saddles up in Dumfries & Galloway

    Monday, 03 July 2023 12:46

    To celebrate the UCI Paracycling World Championships coming to the area from the 9-12 August, Dumfries & Galloway Council is urging people to saddle up for a ‘Summer of Cycling’.

    The Council has partnered up with a range of cycling and community groups across the region, to organise dozens of events designed to motivate people to get on their bike.

    Events range from Galloway Forest Gravel Epic at Talnotry, Newton Stewart, to the Galloway Hillbillies Bike Club’s ever popular 10@Kirroughtree, together with a host of community cycles for all, including a trip around the Crichton Campus in Dumfries

    The Summer of Cycling was launched by the Council’s Chair of its Communities Committee, Councillor Ian Blake.

    ‘It is a real feather in our cap to attract an international event of the standard of the UCI World Paracycling Championship and reinforces for us that Dumfries & Galloway has an international reputation as a centre of excellence for cycling,’ said Councillor Blake.

    ‘To get the most out of the World Championships we wanted to create opportunities to help local people and visitors embrace cycling across the whole summer, not just the four days in August.

    ‘We are committed as a Council to supporting cycling across the region for all ages and all abilities and our Summer of Cycling programme has something for everyone.’

    There are over 450 miles of signposted cycle routes across the region as well as many off-road cycle routes and world class mountain bike trail centres.

    Joining Councillor Blake at the launch was Michelle McRoberts, chief executive of the Dalbeattie Community Initiative that runs the Rocks and Wheels project and Derek Pennycook of the hugely popular Dumfries and Galloway What’s Going In website and Facebook page.

    Rocks and Wheels aims to create an activity centre where it will bring Dalbeattie’s former Primary School back to life as a cycling and bouldering community resource.

    ‘We have a world renowned resource on our doorstep with 7stanes mountain biking trail, but we have so much more to offer cyclists of all abilities in the area. Anything that helps promote wider cycling opportunities and gets people on their bikes is to welcomed,’ said Michelle.

    Dalbeattie Rocks and Wheels own Bike Fest takes place on August 5.

    Councillor Jackie McCamon, Vice-Chair of the Communities Committee said, ‘The Council works closely with community and events organisations across the region and we are thrilled at the efforts of so many people who put together this Summer of Cycling. We really are serious about cycling here in Dumfries and Galloway, and there is so many great options to enjoy if you want to dust down your bike in the garage and get out and explore.’

    All Summer of Cycling events are listed at moo4events.com

  • Ensuring a Collaborative, Transparent Planning Process for Future Development in D&G.

    Tuesday, 27 June 2023 13:42

    Following Member agreement at the Dumfries and Galloway Council Economy and Resources Committee (8 June 2023), we have published the 15th edition Development Plan Scheme (DPS). The Dumfries and Galloway Council DPS sets out the programme for preparing the next Local Development Plan (LDP3). The DPS is updated annually to let you know how the Plan is progressing and gives you more detail on the next stages.

    In this edition of the Development Plan Scheme, based on public consultation, a revised Participation Statement and LDP3 timetable have been included that describe when and how the public can participate at the various stages. National planning reform has changed how the next plan (LDP3) will be prepared and how it will look. Here, in this edition of the DPS, we also provide information on those planning reforms.

    Chair of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Economy and Resources Committee, Councillor Ian Carruthers, said: “In order to ensure transparency and accountability, this Development Plan Scheme provides a comprehensive overview, which outlines the various stages of the Local Development Plan 3 process and how and when you can participate. Including public consultation, review, and adoption of the plan, as well as monitoring and evaluation of the plan once it is in place. All stakeholders are encouraged to engage in the process to ensure that everyone’s views and opinions are taken into account. The ultimate goal is to create an effective, workable plan that meets local communities’ needs.”

    Vice Chair, Councillor David Inglis, said: “The Development Plan Scheme establishes the framework for planning our LDP3, which informs future infrastructure and development investment and serves as the basis for decision-making on planning applications that are so critical to our region’s economic development. We believe that it is important that the Development Plan Scheme be periodically reviewed and updated in order to ensure that it reflects the needs and aspirations of the local community as well as taking into account regional and national policies.”

    Development Plan Scheme 15th Edition can be viewed here:Development_Plan_Scheme_June_2023.pdf (dumgal.gov.uk)

  • Youth Beatz 2023 is Nearly Here

    Tuesday, 27 June 2023 11:32

    After months of excitement and preparation, Youth Beatz 2023 is almost here – with 40,000 young people expected to attend the UK’s largest free youth music event on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 July at Park Farm Showfield, Dumfries.

    For 2023, the festival continues to expand the offer of music acts, performers and activities available for young people across a variety of stages and areas of the site. The continued expansion of Youth Beatz is thanks to the ongoing support of Dumfries and Galloway Council, who value our region’s young people and want to give them a truly memorable experience.

    At this year’s Youth Beatz Festival, there are lots of exciting things to do and see at Park Farm, such as the Realm giant inflatable assault course, activities including mini-golf, ziplining, mountain biking and zorb football; there are four stages entertaining crowds over the weekend – the Third Stage, Kids Tent, Second Stage and Main Stage.

    The UK’s largest free youth music festival is all set to welcome a capacity crowd over the weekend of Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 July. Park Farm will play host to headliners JOEL CORRY, HRVY, B*WITCHED, ELLA HENDERSON, THE VENGABOYS, and CALLUM BEATTIE, as well as a variety of Dumfries and Galloway’s young and upcoming performers.

    Youth Beatz 2023 also sees a return of the hard hitting, immersive and interactive youth learning experience – The Toon. The Toon Productions presents an alternative take on common issues that affect young people in their day-to-day lives. Topics addressed will include mental health, drugs, knife crime, poverty and domestic abuse. Over 50 local young volunteers have been working since Easter to put together this award-winning educational experience. Make sure you book in early at the Toon Box Office to ensure that you get a place on a tour, as the tickets always go fast.

    Throughout both afternoons in the park, there is a massive range of activities for all of the family to get involved in; Galloway Activity Centre area, Inflatables, Ziplining, The Realm inflatable assault course, Kids Tent, Play Talk Read Bus, Youth Work Tent, Sports Activities, Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust, and much more! There will also be a Youth Information Area where local and national organisations will be promoting their services for young people. The Council’s Youth Work Service Team also have their Youth Work Area, where you can find out what youth services you can become involved in, and what is on offer across Dumfries and Galloway. If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle, we also have a dedicated Quiet Area and Sensory Space.

    Dance and music performances will be provided throughout the day on the Second Stage, giving festival goers the opportunity to see some of Dumfries and Galloway’s best up and coming young performers, with the Main Stage also hosting performers from across our region, and Scotland. Programming for the Second Stage has been carried out by a panel of young people from across Dumfries and Galloway who ran audition evenings to select performers. The full line ups for each stage can be found on the Youth Beatz website, through e-Newsletters sent to all ticket holding email addresses, and on our social media platforms.

    Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Communities Committee, Councillor Ian Blake commented on the final preparations for Youth Beatz 2023, saying: “I would like to thank all of the staff and volunteers who were involved in the planning and delivery of the event, without whose effort and commitment we could not have pulled off another successful Youth Beatz event. Our Council is proud to host the UK’s largest free youth music event, and I look forward to welcoming everyone to Park Farm on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 July.”

    Vice-Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Communities Committee, Councillor Jackie McCamon said: “I am looking forward to seeing this fantastic event back for 2023, not just for the high-quality music headliners, but for the experiences it gives to our young people. Youth Beatz has helped give young people a real-life taste of working in events management, performing through the immersive youth led drama production The Toon and the opportunity to undertake their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award through the festival.”

    Now in its thirteenth year, the award-winning youth event is managed through a partnership led by Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Young Peoples Service in conjunction with the Oasis Events Team. The event is supported by the National Events Programme Fund, managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate. Further support for the event had been secured from Youth Link Scotland, Young Start, Alcohol and Drug Partnership, Magnox and Cashback for Communities.

    Mark Molloy, Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Manager for Young People’s Services said: “This year, we have seen a really strong demand for tickets for Youth Beatz 2023, with all of the festival tickets being allocated in 48 hours of the launch. We would strongly advise people who do not have tickets, not to turn up at the event days as no further tickets are available. All successful ticket applications have been processed and distributed by the event organisers. We would also ask that people arrive early, as there will be no admission into the event after 8.30pm on both the Saturday and the Sunday. Attendees can bring in packed lunches and food, but there are no liquids permitted into Park Farm, and searches will be carried out upon entry. We would also encourage people to follow all traffic directions which will be in place across Dumfries, and to respect the parking restrictions that are in place.”

    Police Scotland has worked in partnership with Youth Beatz planners over many years to ensure the focus of Youth Beatz is on young people being able to attend and enjoy the event in an environment that is safe. This is a strictly no alcohol event and a robust policing plan is in place to ensure that anybody who enters this area in possession of, or under the influence of alcohol will be refused entry.

    Chief Inspector Stephen Bell, Local Policing Commander at Dumfries said: “We would like to remind those attending the Youth Beatz Festival that it is an alcohol-free event, and as such local officers will be working closely with event staff to ensure anybody in possession or under the influence of alcohol will not gain entry to the event. Youth Beatz’s success over the last 12 events is very much linked to the first-class planning that takes place at a local level, with a host of partners in Dumfries and Galloway. The event is now one of the largest in our region’s calendars and is a huge community effort from all of those involved. All partners that are involved in the planning and delivery of the event want it to be a success, safe and enjoyable for all, and would appreciate the ongoing cooperation of those attending. I will be at Youth Beatz to oversee the policing operation, and I look forward to another successful event.”

    To get up to date information surrounding this year’s event, visit www.youthbeatz.co.uk or follow us on social media.

    ENDS

  • Dumfries & Galloway Council Housing Need & Demand Survey

    Monday, 26 June 2023 14:48

    Dumfries and Galloway Council has launched a survey about the housing needs and future aspirations of local households. The survey will allow the Council to better understand the housing circumstances and needs of local households so that a good range of housing options can be delivered in the future. The results will help the Council plan for new housing and housing services, making sure the needs of all residents and communities are met.

    To make sure that the results are accurate, we need to speak to residents across Dumfries and Galloway, of all ages and living in all types of housing.

    An online survey is open to all Dumfries and Galloway residents and 500 telephone interviews will be carried out with households across the area. The survey is being carried out by a professional market research company, Research Resource.

    Telephone interviews will commence on 26th June 2023 and will continue over a period of 6 weeks.

    All survey responses will be for research purposes only and it will not be possible to identify individual tenants from the responses. Research Resource are registered under the Data Protection Act and all responses will be completely confidential.

    The online survey can be found here www.researchresource.co.uk/D&GHousing.html

    Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Economy and Resources Committee, Councillor Ian Carruthers said: “I would very much encourage people to take the time to complete this survey or, if possible, participate in the telephone conversations. Only by hearing the needs of our D&G population can our Council plan future, sustainable housing to meet everyone’s requirements.”

    Vice Chair of E&R, Councillor David Inglis said: “We need to ensure that we build the correct housing in the right areas, dependent on the needs and hopes of our local communities. For us to do this we need our communities and citizens to engage with us. Make sure your voice is heard.”

  • School Model Consultation Launched

    Monday, 26 June 2023 11:47

    Following a Full Council decision in June 2018, elected members agreed to a Transformation Programme to address the challenges of providing a high-quality service across dispersed rural communities, to an ageing and declining population, set against a backdrop of addressing a significant funding gap projected for future years.

    Dumfries and Galloway Council’s school estate, our school buildings and how we use them, will have to change over the coming years to respond to changes in our communities. Our Council continues to spend more per child in some of our schools compared to the national average, and there is a large range of disproportionate costs across our own school estate. We know that our school rolls are falling across Dumfries and Galloway, that the condition and suitability of some of our school buildings may not be at the standards we want them to be, and that we have many more classrooms than we need in many places.

    This is an opportunity to consolidate and modernise our learning estate with a focus on sustainability and to protect the education of the children and young people in our schools. In order to identify whether making changes to our school estate will have the desired impact, we begin by seeking to create a consensus through consultation on the most important principles that need to be considered to deliver a truly future-proofed school estate.

    We will consolidate all stakeholder feedback into an agreed set of principles for planning the future of our schools. These principles will form a school model and will help ensure best value and sustainable settings, resulting in an improved learning environment for all our children and young people, while considering the needs and wishes of our partners and communities.

    Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Education and Learning Committee, Cllr Richard Brodie commented:

    "We are currently engaged with school communities to plan the best way forward for our children. We must seize upon the challenge of falling school rolls to provide quality educational experiences in schools fit for the 21st century."

    Vice Chair of Education and Learning Committee, Cllr Maureen Johnstone said:

    “If we have a set of shared principles that we have worked together with communities on setting out, this would help us start to see where change might be needed. We acknowledge that we should be proactive and make decisions for a sustainable future, with children’s learning as the focus.”

    You can read more about the consultation, and complete the consultation at www.dumgal.gov.uk/schoolmodel

  • Dumfries and Galloway Fine Arts Society Annual Exhibition

    Friday, 23 June 2023 14:23

    Starting on Saturday 1 July at Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries, the Dumfries & Galloway Fine Arts Society Annual Exhibition will be open until Saturday 5 August.

    Originally set up in 1922, Dumfries and Galloway’s largest practising art group presents a fascinating selection of its members’ work, which this year celebrates 98 years of the annual exhibition. With over 160 works from painting and drawing to craft and sculpture, there is always something to catch the eye and as most are available to buy – it’s the ideal exhibition to start or to enhance your original art collection with prices to suit all pockets. The society will also be screening their Centenary film, made but local filmmaker John Wallace to celebrate their 100th year – look out for well-known faces and a glimpse behind the scenes of the exhibition-hanging and art workshops.

    Chair of Communities Committee, Councillor Ian Blake said: “Congratulations to the society for a wonderful display again this year – it’s great to see so many members’ work and we viewers are tempted to take home a locally created artwork for our own wall.”

    Across in Gallery 2, the ARTIST ROOMS Diane Arbus continues until the end of July, so if you haven’t been to see this stunning show yet, there is still time; if you are feeling creative, look out for our art competition in association with Dumfries Pride. Create your own artwork or photography on the themes of Portraiture, Otherness and Colours of Pride and submit to our online gallery by 18 July. There’s 1st and 2nd prizes in each category selected by esteemed judges. See the Gracefield or Dumfries Pride Facebook pages for details.

    Summer holiday art and craft workshops start Wednesday 5July for ages 5 to 12 years, and from Friday 7July for Teens, 13 to 16 years. Contact the gallery for details of spaces available – teens workshops are FREE as part of the Amazing Summer funded programme, so don’t miss your chance to try printmaking, jewellery, eco textiles and more…book early!

    Vice Chair of Communities Committee, Councillor Jackie McCamon added: “Lots to do and see at Gracefield this summer – exhibitions are always free and the grounds and picnic tables make a great destinations for a morning or afternoon with the family.”

    The exhibitions are open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, and the admission is free at 28 Edinburgh Road Dumfries – follow the yellow AA Diane Arbus signage. For more information on what’s on at Gracefield and all of the councils’ other arts and museums, visit www.DGCulture.co.uk

    ENDS

  • Summer Activities Announced for Young People Across D&G

    Friday, 23 June 2023 13:55

    Dumfries and Galloway Council has invested £264,000 of funding to provide a wide range of free activities over the summer holidays to ensure that children and young people across the region have a Summer to remember.

    Activities will run from Monday 3 July to Sunday 20 August, and are specifically aimed at children and young people aged 5 to 16 years who are in the priority groups for the fund. The activities on offer will give young people the opportunity to meet with their friends, make new friends, and to take part in fun and free activities and new opportunities. This provision through the duration of the school summer holidays will provide support to children and young people who may otherwise struggle to access experiences during the holidays, giving them the opportunity to play, socialise and get to know organisations and services within their local community.


    Councillor Ian Blake, Chair of Communities Committee said: “There is something for everyone as part of this fantastic summer programme of activities that are on offer. All activities are entirely free to attend, and this further emphasises our Council’s commitment to tackling and alleviating child poverty across our region. I would encourage all young people who are aged 5 to 16 to make the most of this opportunity and to try something new this summer.”

    There are activities for all ages, and all interests including sports sessions, arts sessions, free leisure facility access, summer camps, workshops on different topics, day trips and creative and performing arts sessions and much more.

    Councillor Jackie McCamon, Vice Chair of Communities Committee said of the Summer Programme Fund: “The young people who were involved in the Summer Programme Fund through the co-production group have done an excellent job in ensuring that the activities on offer across Dumfries and Galloway have been designed by young people, for young people, through effective co-design and that they are spread the length and breadth of the region. The group also helped to set the fund’s priorities and sat on the independent scoring panel, ensuring that the activities will make a positive difference to young people in communities across Dumfries and Galloway.”

    Finlay Anderson, Chair of Dumfries & Galloway Youth Council said: “We received an extremely high number of applications for this funding, and it was a difficult job in making sure that the right activities were made available to young people. This is a great programme of activities, and we cannot wait to see young people across Dumfries and Galloway having an amazing summer with their friends. Make sure you visit the Youth Enquiry Service website for full details of what is on near you, and how you can sign up.”

    To see all that is on offer, and how to sign up for an activity, visit https://youthenquiryservice.org/whats-on


    ENDS

  • Youth Work Team Wins National Award

    Thursday, 22 June 2023 14:26

    The Youth Information in Schools Project, part of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Youth Work Team, has won in the Health & Wellbeing category at YouthLink Scotland’s National Youth Work Awards, held on Wednesday 21 June.

    The Youth Information in Schools Project is a partnership project delivered between Dumfries and Galloway Council's Youth Work Service and Educational Psychology, where youth information workers deliver low level mental health support to young people aged 12–18 across all 16 local authority secondary schools through one-to-one and group work programmes – using a youth work approach.

    The low level psychological support provided through the project aims to help young people learn strategies that can help them to cope with the challenges they are encountering in their lives. This is often a first point of contact for young people who are going through difficulties and depending on their needs, can lead to them being referred for more specialist support. However, after these sessions, the young people have often developed the skills and coping strategies to deal with the challenges they are facing.

    Councillor Ian Blake, Chair of the council’s Communities Committee said: “The Youth Information in Schools Project is a very worthy winner of this national award. The staff are dedicated and passionate about the work that they do, and they have made a significant impact on hundreds of young people’s lives in our region since 2020. Over 500 young people are provided support through this service each year and this includes support to address the significant impact on the emotional and mental wellbeing of young people caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “The impact of this project on the young people who access it is huge. They have said that through taking part, they feel a lot happier in themselves and are able to use the skills to develop independence in problem solving and making decisions.”

    Jackie McCamon, Vice Chair of Communities Committee added: “With the current mental health crisis for young people, this project is critical in supporting our young people’s health and wellbeing and gives them a helping hand when they need it. Interventions provided through the project give the right support at the right time for the individual young person, and ultimately prevented things escalating to a crisis level that need more formal interventions.

    “This innovative way of supporting young people’s mental health further demonstrates that youth work plays a vital role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our young people. We are extremely proud of all those involved in the planning and delivery of this project. Thank you for all you do to support the young people in our region.”

    ENDS

  • Elected Members Receive Council 2022/23 Financial Performance Report

    Tuesday, 20 June 2023 14:45

    Elected Members on Dumfries and Galloway Council's Finance, Procurement and Transformation (FPT) Committee met today (Tuesday 20 June) to receive a report on the Council’s financial performance for the year ended 31 March 2023.

    The report states that the Council balanced its budget last financial year, with a combined net service-underspend of £1.56 million.

    This position provides a strong basis for the Council from which to approach what the report expects to be “an exceptionally challenging period associated with further reductions in core funding, increasing demands on Council services and continued pressures from pay and non-pay inflationary increases.”

    The impact of pay and non-pay inflationary pressures on Council budgets has been the primary focus of financial monitoring activity throughout the 2022/23 financial year.

    As with everyone in these challenging times, the Council has been subject to inflationary costs on items such as gas, electricity, fuel and food. The estimated cost of non-pay inflationary increases was anticipated to be £4.87 Million in 2022/23.

    However, through prudent cost-reducing measures, the total non-pay inflationary cost pressures incurred by the Council was £4.32 Million, largely due to a reduction in the Council’s energy consumption levels.

    Where services have underspent against their agreed budget levels, the Council’s Budget Flexibility Scheme makes provision for these underspent amounts to be transferred to Service Reserves, within agreed parameters and with Elected Member approval.

    A review of the amounts held, and associated commitments, will be undertaken and reported to the next meeting of the FPT Committee, with a view to releasing amounts for further Member consideration where appropriate.

    An update and proposed timetable for the 2024/25 budget development process will be presented to Full Council later this month.

    Chair of Finance, Procurement and Transformation (FPT) Committee, Councillor Ivor Hyslop said: “A balanced budget in these difficult financial times is very good news for the Council, but we can’t afford to become complacent. Over the past few years our Council has made prudent choices and taken difficult decisions. These have made a difference, but the problem isn’t solved, and we face more challenging times ahead.”

    Vice-Chair of FPT, Councillor Richard Marsh said: “By looking at all options available and using creative thinking to identify more opportunities, we have managed to balance our budget in extremely trying times. We know that everyone is affected by financial pressures at the moment, and we will continue to focus our funds on where they are needed most, keeping people living and working in Dumfries and Galloway at the heart of our decision-making process.”

  • Two Community Asset Transfers and the Lease of the Loreburn Hall Get Go-Ahead at FPT Committee

    Tuesday, 20 June 2023 14:42

    Elected members gave two Community Asset Transfers (CATs) and the lease of the Loreburn Hall the green light to progress at today’s (Tuesday 20 June) meeting of the Finance, Procurement and Transformation Committee.

    Community Asset Transfers allow community groups and organisations to take over a current or surplus Council asset/property, under the Community Empowerment Act, 2015.

    The Council has a CAT Strategy in place and many communities have benefitted from utilising the CAT process since the strategy was introduced nearly six years ago. In total, the number of CATs across Dumfries and Galloway have reached around 60.

    The former Carlingwark Outdoor Centre was first CAT on the agenda, with members agreeing the application from the Castle Douglas Development Forum.

    The site, which lies next to the caravan park in the town of Castle Douglas, has not been in use for some years. Councillors were presented with three options in the committee report, and agreed to Option 3, which agrees a 25-year lease for £50 per month subject to various conditions.

    The second CAT agreed was for the former primary school in Langholm. The Langholm Alliance presented a strong case to Elected Members to take lease of the old school site on Thomas Telford Road in the town. Members debated the options placed in front of them and agreed to Option 1, which now means that Langholm Old School will be transferred to Langholm Alliance without conditions.

    Separate to the Community Asset Transfers, the lease of the Loreburn Hall was discussed. The discussion follows a public consultation earlier this year, which sought the views of the public and stakeholders before a competitive bidding process took place for the iconic building in Newall Terrace in Dumfries.

    Members debated the two options presented to them, The Drill Hall Initiative and The Electric Theatre Company, with members opting for The Drill Hall Initiative. The organisation will take lease of the building, subject to agreement on the terms and conditions.

    Chair of the Finance, Procurement and Transformation Committee, Cllr Ivor Hyslop said: “For the last six years this Council has had a robust community asset transfer strategy process in place and today’s agreed reports are a real sign of how effective this strategy and the process is. The region-wide spread of assets is also a positive, as residents and community groups across Dumfries and Galloway will benefit in the short, medium and long-term.”

    Vice-Chair, Cllr Richard Marsh commented: “I’m delighted the committee has agreed to progress these two transfers and the lease of the Loreburn Hall today. Our Council is committed to empowering communities and in agreeing these asset transfers, we are doing just that. The committee recognised the strong nature of the two business cases and we wish the community groups well over the upcoming months and years ahead.”

  • Dumfries and Galloway Celebrates Gala Royalty

    Monday, 19 June 2023 13:36

    Dumfries and Galloway Council is to host a unique event on 23 September 2023 to celebrate the young people who are crowned in the many community galas and Riding of the Marches that take place across our region.

    All our community ‘royalty’ are to be invited to come together for a special afternoon tea and a display of photographs of their crownings to mark their contribution to this national coronation year. There will also be a group photograph on the day.

    Councillor Malcolm Johnstone, Convener of Dumfries and Galloway Council said: “Dumfries and Galloway has wonderful local galas and Riding of the Marches events during the summer months that include the crowning of a Queen or Prince. Our Council already supports many of these events with grants, and we are delighted to take forward this proposal to bring all the ‘royalty’ together as it is another way we can help promote great community spirit and pride.”

    Councillor Gail MacGregor, Depute Convener added: “This is a special year for our local ‘royalty’, as it co-coincides with the amazing national events celebrating the Coronation of their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla last month. We see this as an opportunity to make it an even more special year for these local young people in 2023.”

    Stuart Thompson MBE who proposed the idea said: “I’m delighted that Dumfries and Galloway Council has taken up my idea for this event because it will not only showcase the many great galas and Ridings that take place in the villages and towns of our region, but coming together and getting a group photograph with local dignitaries will give these young local people even more happy memories that will last their lifetimes.”



    ENDS

  • Children’s Services Plan Joint Annual Report Up For Discussion

    Monday, 19 June 2023 13:25

    Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Full Council will convene on Tuesday 27 June and will receive a update on the Children’s Services Joint Annual Report as part of its business.

    Elected Members will be asked to endorse the report as well as note the progress made in the Dumfries and Galloway Children’s Services Plan 2020-2023.

    The Children and Young People Scotland Act (2014) Part 3 (Children’s services planning) places a statutory duty on each local authority and its relevant health board to jointly prepare a Children’s Services Plan for the area of the local authority, every three years. Our plan was also agreed by NHS Dumfries & Galloway this time around, as they are a co-statutory partner in the delivery of the plan.

    The report going before the meeting highlights a number of areas of progress including;

    • Children, young people and families have benefited from a range of additional supports which have aimed to tackle child poverty
    • We have taken an early intervention and preventative approach to mental health.We have developed, delivered and funded mental health supports and services in communities, schools, and in perinatal and infant health. Engagement with young people and women using perinatal health services has shaped our service development
    • A Neurodevelopmental Diagnostic and Assessment Service has been established on a permanent basis following the successful pilot and work is ongoing to clear existing diagnostic waiting lists
    • The Family Support Service has expanded and upscaled to meet increasing demand for support to families at all times of need

    Following the development of the Joint Annual Report, the latest Child Poverty Statistics which are compiled annually by the End Child Poverty Campaign were published earlier this month. These relate to 2021-22 and show that the percentage of children living in poverty in Dumfries and Galloway is 26%, an increase of 3.1% on the previous year. The percentage of children who are registered for Free School Meals is a major factor in the calculation of these statistics and because locally we have been very proactive in increasing the number of families in receipt of this benefit this has potentially contributed to the recorded increase.

    Speaking ahead of the meeting on 27 June, Convener of Dumfries and Galloway Council. Malcolm Johnstone said:

    “The report not only highlights the sterling work right across the Council and indeed NHS in relation to Children’s Services, but it also offers up some reasoning why we have seen the number of children in poverty in D&G rise to 26%. On reading this statistic alone, you’d be forgiven for thinking that our Council was not doing enough to keep children out of poverty, but this could not be further from the truth.

    Our efforts in relation to ensuring everyone who is entitled to free school meals has had a major say in seeing the percentage increase. I’m confident that as a local authority, we’re carrying out good work in this area of business, but let’s not rest on our laurels and continue to drive forward to offer support in many different ways to those who need it most in our region.”

  • Daytime Activities at Youth Beatz 2023

    Monday, 19 June 2023 12:32

    Youth Beatz Festival 2023 is delighted to welcome a full compliment of daytime activities to Park Farm Showfield on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 July.

    New to Youth Beatz this year is The Realm. A massive inflatable obstacle course, The Realm is over 180m long, and features challenges such as slides, tunnels and more. The Realm will be open between 12noon and 6pm on both event days. The Realm is open to young people up to 16 years of age, and participants will be entered into The Realm by height.

    A mobile zipline will allow you to fly 100m over the site at speeds of up to 21mph – you can go solo or race your friend! Galloway Activity Centre will once again bring a selection of their popular activities. For 2023 they will be bringing a pop-up mountain biking arena, climbing wall, and the ever-popular zorb football. There will also be an inflatable area featuring a rodeo, pole joust, rock and roller, big slide and bungee run. We will also have a 9-hole mini golf course and a tent kitted out with VR equipment. There really is something for everyone this year.

    We will also welcome Target Wrestling, who will showcase their skills in our Wrestling Tent from 1–2.30pm, 3–4.30pm and 5–6pm on both event days. Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Leisure and Sports Team will be providing target practice courtesy of the Ice Bowl (minus the ice!). Local partners will also be in attendance to run various informative sessions, with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service delivering a series of workshops on water safety, fire safety, road safety, and CPR – so be sure to pop along and see them.

    Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Communities Committee, Councillor Ian Blake said: “It is great to see such a comprehensive offering of activities at this year’s festival. Taking part in these activities is informative, fun and allows our young people to build their confidence, broaden their horizons and try new things. I would encourage all festival attendees to take part in as many opportunities as they are able to over the weekend.”

    As well as activity-based options at Youth Beatz 2023, the Youth Information Marketplace will feature 17 organisations from across Dumfries and Galloway, who will promote their services for young people. If the hustle and bustle is too much, we also have an onsite quiet area with sensory space.

    All daytime activities are free, and will be open to all on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 July from 12–6pm.

    Vice Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Communities Committee, Councillor Jackie McCamon said: “It is fantastic to see such a variety of daytime activities on offer for this year’s Youth Beatz Festival. There is something for everyone, and all activities provided are free of charge, continuing our Council’s commitment to ensuring that events such as Youth Beatz are accessible to all. A huge thank you to all of the businesses and organisations who are attending this year’s festival.”

    If you would like more information, please contact us on youthbeatz.info@dumgal.gov.uk or call 01387 260243.

    ENDS

  • A Celebration of Achievement for DFN Project SEARCH Graduates

    Monday, 19 June 2023 10:23

    On Tuesday, 13 June, the cohort of 2022/23 interns graduated from the DFN Project SEARCH programme. The graduation was planned and run by the interns themselves to celebrate their successes over the past academic year, further enhancing their workplace knowledge and skills. Interns shared their experiences of being on the programme, with a wealth of knowledge, with those in attendance. They discussed their favourite parts of the workplace immersion, what they each learned from their work experience placement in local businesses, and their hopes for the future. A third of the cohort have already moved into paid employment after their time on the programme.To ensure a positive outcome for the group, the Employability and Skills Delivery Team provides further post-programme support. The event was a resounding success; well attended by family, local businesses and partner organisations, and Council management.

    DFN Project SEARCH is a year-long partnership programme between Dumfries and Galloway Council and Dumfries and Galloway College. It offers supported employment placements for individuals within the region who have autism and other additional support needs. Each year the interns are supported with training room learning before and during work experience placements, as well as structured in-work support.

    Chair of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Economy and Resources Committee, Councillor Ian Carruthers, said: “Congratulations, graduates, and colleagues on this fantastic achievement. Well done to all. DFN Project SEARCH is a programme that inherently addresses and supports many of our Council’s key priorities. As a Council, we are proud to have been the host business for the programme locally for a number of years and are fully invested in helping it develop further, creating more success stories, and providing an opportunity for those in our region with autism spectrum disorder and other additional support needs to achieve similar employment outcomes to their peers.”

    Vice Chair, Councillor David Inglis, said:“Project SEARCH continues to have a positive impact on participants, families, and wider communities, as well as providing a pathway towards meaningful employment. He added, "It is a pleasure to witness our interns and graduates' progress and celebrate their successes. We look forward to seeing the ongoing positive effects of the programme.”

  • Region Celebrates Armed Forces Day 2023

    Monday, 19 June 2023 09:58

    Dumfries and Galloway Council is celebrating Armed Forces Day on Saturday 24 June. Events are being held as part of the annual Armed Forces Day national campaign to provide everyone with the opportunity to show their support for the men and women of the Armed Forces, past and present, including serving troops, their families, Reservists, Veterans and Cadets.

    To start the week leading up to Armed Forces Day, flag raising events are taking place across our region on Monday 19 June to show appreciation for the work of the Armed Forces. At the Midsteeple in Dumfries, Councillor Archie Dryburgh MBE – the council’s Armed Forces Champion – is Master of Ceremonies. Hosting Councillor Maureen Johnstone, Provost of Dumfries who will make a short address, and His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Dumfries, Ms Fiona Armstrong who will do a vote of thanks, flags are being raised and flown until Monday 26 June. In addition to Dumfries, flags will be flown at Annan Town Hall, Market Hill in Castle Douglas, Moffat Town Hall, Castle Square in Stranraer, Colliston Park in Dalbeattie, Sanquhar Tolbooth, and Langholm Town Hall.

    An Armed Forces Day Parade will take place from 11.40am until 12.30pm on Saturday, 24 June in Dumfries Town Centre. The parade will be led by members of Dumfries and Annan Town Bands, followed by representatives of our retired and serving Armed Forces personnel and by members of our local cadet units.

    Councillor Archie Dryburgh MBE will be the Master of Ceremonies, the Council’s Convener Malcolm Johnstone will make an address, and His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dumfries Ms Fiona Armstrong will inspect the front rank of the Royal British Legion Scotland representatives.

    Councillor Malcolm Johnstone, Convener, Dumfries and Galloway Council, said: “Armed Forces Day is our opportunity to show our appreciation for those that have served and who continue to serve in our Armed Forces. In Dumfries and Galloway, our Armed Forces are very well supported by people from across the length and breadth of the region. A recent testament to this was when many people lined the streets of Dumfries Town Centre to watch as the Royal Regiment of Scotland exercised their Freedom of Dumfries and Galloway by way of a parade on Friday, 9 June. Reflecting on the pride the soldiers inspired, this further enhances the strong support for the Armed Forces across our region.

    “I invite you all to join us on Saturday, 24 June, as we mark Armed Forces Day 2023 to thank them. Our Council has a proud record of supporting our Armed Forces and it is my privilege and honour to participate in the event.”

    Councillor Archie Dryburgh MBE, Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “For the last 14 years, all but one owing to pandemic, we have been parading in Dumfries High Street to show our support to our Armed Forces. I am pleased to say that we will be parading again this year, and I am asking all Veterans, Reserves, Cadets and Serving Personnel to come along and mark the occasion with us. I would also like to ask the public to once again come out and show their approval for our Armed Forces Family.”

    ENDS

  • Consultation Starts on New Burial Strategy for Dumfries and Galloway

    Friday, 16 June 2023 16:58

    Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Community Assets and Ward Working teams are holding a series of community conversation events across the region this month to consult on a new burial strategy for Dumfries and Galloway.

    Community conversations are an opportunity for residents, business and stakeholders to engage directly with the council, and to help shape the new strategy. There will be an event in each of the council’s twelve wards, as well as two online events.

    A burial strategy is a requirement of the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016. The new strategy will help shape the future management of our service, the maintenance of the council’s 187 cemeteries and churchyards, as well as how the council would develop new cemetery sites.

    The chair of the council’s Communities Committee, Ian Blake said: “Please do attend one of the twelve community conversation events, and have your voice heard. It is important that the new burial strategy is shaped by residents, businesses and stakeholders.Staff will be at events to provide information, listen to your views, and to support you in completing the consultation survey.”

    Jackie McCamon, vice chair of Communities committee, said: “This is an important consultation, and one that many people will have a view on. The council manages 187 cemeteries and churchyards, the second highest number in Scotland, and we want to make sure we are doing it right.If you can’t make one of the twelve drop-in community conversation events, don’t worry, as there are two online events scheduled.”

    Community conversation start on 19 June at McMillan Hall, Newton Stewart, and the Miners’ Memorial Hall in Kirkconnel, with events in each of the council wards, ending on the 29 June at Castle Douglas Town Hall. Online events will be held on Microsoft Teams on 22 June and 28 June.

    Information on how to register for the online sessions, and details of dates, times, and locations can be found here:www.dumgal.gov.uk/consultations

    END

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