We would like to thank everyone who took the time to contribute towards the development of the new Council Plan 2023–2028.

The consultation ran from 20 December 2022 to 31 January 2023 with the goal of understanding the views of citizens, partners and staff on the vision, themes and outcomes within the draft Council Plan.

A report will be presented to Full Council on 28 February providing feedback from the consultation process on the draft Council Plan and proposing a final Council Plan.

We received 529 responses to the consultation, which showed that the level of agreement with the draft Council Plan was high, and many comments and questions.

The final Council Plan set to be presented to Full Council includes updates following consideration and analysis of the responses from the consultation with citizens, stakeholders and staff. It also reflects comments received from Elected Members at Full Council in December.

Responses to questions raised in the consultation will be answered in the final consultation document, which will be published on the consultation hub in April.

If you’re interested in finding out more in advance of the meeting on Tuesday, you can view the full-and-final Council Plan 2023–28 here: Dumfries and Galloway Council Plan

As our Ukrainian Guests are only too well aware, today (Friday 24 February) marks one year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

It is appropriate that the UK is having a minute’s silence at 11.00am – similar to our Remembrance Day arrangements – as this is an armed conflict, and those fighting merit that time for us all to remember and show our respect.

There are events in the major cities of our country to mark this date so that we can show our support for Ukrainian people, and we are grateful to MOOL (D&G Refugee Action) for providing free transport and support to local guests wishing to attend.

Ukrainian flags will be flying across the country as a mark of respect. In Dumfries and Galloway they will be flying in Annan, Dumfries, Kirkcudbright, and Stranraer. The Council headquarters on English Street, Dumfries, will be lit up blue and yellow as a visible reminder of this anniversary for all.

As a former serving soldier, with a son who also served in the Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, my family and I know only too well the challenges of being separated from loved ones, the worry and concern for those in battle, and the hardship for the family living far away in a different country, without a parent, a sibling, a partner, or a child. So, my thoughts are with you all.

Be assured that the people of this region want to care for you during your time with us and we hope that our open hearts and open doors are of comfort to you during this difficult time.

Councillor Archie Dryburgh, Civic Head and Armed Forces Champion Dumfries and Galloway Council 

Flood Recovery Community Conversations

A series of Flood Recovery Community Conversations are taking place right across Dumfries and Galloway in response to recent flooding that has affected residents and businesses. The focus of the conversations is to listen to community voices, understand the impacts of the flooding, and to gather evidence to inform the development of future flood recovery planning.

Over the past two weeks, it has been great to hear the views of householders and businesses across the region during the events at Dalbeattie Town Hall, Kirkton Village Hall, Tynron Parish Hall (pictured above) and The Bridge, Dumfries.

We are looking forward to participating in the final Community Conversation, in a series of five, on 2 March, 5pm–7pm at Stranraer Customer Service Centre.

Dumfries and Galloway Council's Community Benefits Wishlist is a scheme that will allow local community groups to submit requests for support and link them with council suppliers who will offer to meet these needs through their community benefits proposals.

Dumfries and Galloway Council is committed to securing community benefits from all contracts wherever possible and will require successful suppliers to work with the Council, as part of the delivery of the services, in transforming the community in a real and sustainable manner.

The Community Benefits Wishlist webpage has details on what the wishlist is, and you can also read the frequently asked questions about the scheme. There is a form on the page so local community organisations can request the type of support they need.

South of Scotland Enterprise is running webinars where you can learn more about the opportunities for the new 250-mile cycle route covering the length of the South of Scotland.

The project is expected to deliver new economic, environmental and community benefits and will be ready in time for Scotland to host the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships this summer.

The route is being taken forward with a Team South approach through the South of Scotland Cycling Partnership that includes South of Scotland Enterprise, Dumfries and Galloway and Scottish Borders councils, South of Scotland Destination Alliance, VisitScotland and Sustrans Scotland.

You can register to attend a webinar here:

Thursday 9 March, 2.30–3.30pm

Thursday 9 March, 7–8pm

A new leaflet has been created that takes you on a journey along the River Nith through Dumfries. The town’s bridges not only span across the river but also across several centuries, reflecting the story of transport and the history of Dumfries.

The Dumfries Bridges Civil Engineering Trail was the brainchild of Lauryn Steel, an economic development officer with the Council’s Strategic Economic Investment Service after her children's school trip was cancelled due to covid cases at the venue. Lauryn quickly pulled together an ad hoc tour of the bridges that followed on from project work she’d been doing with the P5–7 class on bridges. The resultant leaflet was produced by the Institution of Civil Engineers in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Council.

You can find the leaflet on the website for the Institution of Civil Engineers, with more information on civil engineers and the important role they play in our everyday lives – without them our world would be very different.

The RBCFT
Film of the Week

The RBCFT Film of the Week is comedy drama A Man Called Otto, a remake of the Swedish film A Man Called Ove. The original Swedish film adaptation was nominated for two Academy Awards and was the highest grossing foreign film of 2016 in the United States. Both are based on the comical and moving New York Times bestseller, A Man Called Otto. The film tells the story of Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), a grumpy widower whose only joy comes from criticising and judging his exasperated neighbours. When a lively young family moves in next door, he meets his match in quick-witted and very pregnant Marisol, leading to an unexpected friendship that will turn his world upside down.

The film is touching and frequently laugh out loud funny. It’s a sweet story of the power of community to bring someone back from the brink of suicide. A film like this depends on the performances – and here there are some standout performances. A charismatic central performance from Hanks elevates the film (he’s excellent playing against type as the cantankerous old man) and he’s ably supported by Mariana Treviño who is a force of nature as the kind neighbour Marisol.

The film’s success has been built on strong word of mouth and, last weekend, it quietly crossed the $100m mark at the worldwide box office. It's a film that will leave you thinking about the human condition and how we build relationships. If you like Tom Hanks, then you just might fall in love with Otto.

A Man Called Otto returns to the RBCFT on Thursday 2 March at 7.30pm. Tickets can be purchased online, by visiting or phoning the Midsteeple Box Office in Dumfries (01387 253383), or at the Robert Burns Centre (01387 264808).