 Festive Opening Hours
Dumfries and Galloway Council's festive opening hours are now live on our website. Information on bin-collection arrangements, homelessness and housing options, registration offices, social work and more. You can view festive opening hours here: https://dumgal.gov.uk/festive-info
50 Years of Community Councils
Recently published information on new resources for Community Councils and local authorities including a Good Practice Guide are now available online and in easy read format.
Community Council Update
Discretionary Grants
Have you completed the paperwork to receive your annual discretionary grant? The Community Council webpages contain additional information on Community Council Discretionary Grants, specific information for Community Councillors and those interested in getting involved
Casual Vacancy Election Update
Under the terms of the Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils in Dumfries and Galloway, a Casual Vacancy Election is a method whereby Community Councils can fill vacancies between Ordinary Elections, without disruption to Community Council business. Community Councillors elected as a result of this process will form part of the quorum.
Use button below to find out more
Training Sessions
Dumfries and Galloway Council provide training sessions for all Community Councillors with the governance document, The Amended Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils in Dumfries and Galloway being the chief focus of the training. Contact the Community Council Mailbox for further support in arranging a training session for your Community Council Community.Councils@dumgal.gov.uk
  SCAMP Solway Coast and Marine Project
What’s happening to our coast? How can we protect it?
Free events across the region - SIGN UP NOW. Use the link below for further details
Marine Natural Capital - Dumfries and Galloway - Solway Firth Partnership
 Multiply
FREE, user-friendly help with maths is coming to Dumfries and Galloway in the new year.
Did you know that half the working-age population in the UK have primary-school level maths skills? If this sounds like you, read on….
A new, free programme of maths tuition and support for adults (19+) will be starting in D&G next year, funded by the UK government. Help will be available whether you would like to be better at maths by accessing tailored one-to-one support, learn how to include maths in your kid’s or grandkid’s play or get help managing your money and coping with debt.
Help will be available in classes, on-line and on a one-to-one basis. For more information, to register an interest and to have somebody contact you to chat about this, simply e-mail Multiply@dumgal.gov.uk
Place Plans
Local Place Plans (LPPs) are community produced plans that express the aspirations and ambitions for their area. The Council and its partners will provide support to groups who wish to produce LPPs with the pages below providing guidance. This is a new process and guidance will be updated to reflect changing circumstances.
Local Place Plans - Dumfries and Galloway Council (dumgal.gov.uk)
National My Place Awards celebrate projects and people that work to improve places and communities in Scotland. The Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards have two categories Community-led Projects and Community Champions
The My Place Awards are a great opportunity to showcase a project's success to the community, stakeholders and funders by receiving much-deserved exposure and media attention, as well as thank community members for their hard work and dedication to their local place. Entries to the My Place Awards 2024 can be made via the My Place Scotland website. deadline 14 January 2024.
Warm Spaces
Warm spaces across Dumfries and Galloway mapped on DGLocator - Third Sector Dumfries & Galloway (tsdg.org.uk)
Anti-Poverty - we're working with our partners to tackle poverty in the region and support our priority of protecting the most vulnerable people. We have made a strong commitment to tackling poverty.
We want to:
- prevent people from falling into poverty
- support people who are currently in poverty
- provide assistance to people to help them get out of poverty.
Village Halls Handbook
The recently published handbook is for everyone running a village or community hall in Scotland. From governance and facilities management to net zero and digital, we'll guide you through what you need to know.
Village halls are often the heart of a community. They are places for people to gather, learn, access services and have fun. Making sure they are well run and maintained is an important but not always easy role, often fulfilled by committed volunteers and workers.
Village and community halls handbook - SCVO
Digital Devices Grants Available
Community Learning and Device Fund Accepting Applications for 2023 Funding Round
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is offering grants of up to £15,000 for charities, voluntary and community groups, social enterprises, and other CDL organisations in Scotland to purchase digital devices that support learning activities.
Through the Community Learning and Device Fund, provided by the Scottish Government, funding can be used to purchase digital devices such as:
- Laptops
- Tablets
- Monitors
- Cameras
- Mi-fi dongles (hardware only, not data)
Any monies awarded must be spent in full by 31 March 2024.
Community Resilience
Community resilience - SupportDG - Dumfries and Galloway Council (dumgal.gov.uk)
Starting a new Community Council resilience team
We have Community council resilience teams throughout the region but there are still some Community Council areas without one. To help you establish a resilience team, we have introduced a quick-start process with a template, guidance and the all-important insurance cover.
Community Resilience Template 2021 (Word doc) [2MB] (opens new window)
Key Insurance Information template (Word doc) [173KB] (opens new window)
GDPR Advice - Supporting Vulnerable Residents and Information Storage (PDF) [162KB] (opens new window)
Support is available by contacting your local Ward Officer
For additional information on creating a plan visit Ready Scotland
Completed forms should be returned to SupportDG@dumgal.gov.uk
 Trunk Road Works
A free roadwork alert service is available. Sign up using the button below.
 Gretna and Rigg Community Council
With a packed timetable of events, Gretna and Rigg Community Council have been busy bringing festive cheer to the local community. Check out their Facebook page for more information Gretna and Rigg Community Council | Facebook
Taking advantage of free training sessions has helped members of Borgue and Cairnryan Community Councils increase their awareness of the role, responsibility and the procedures Community Councils follow in supporting their local community. Sessions were delivered at local venues in Borgue and Cairnryan and feedback from participants has been very positive. Contact the mailbox, Community.Councils@dumgal.gov.uk if you would like your Community Council to host a training session delivered by officers from Dumfries and Galloway Council.
Royal Burgh of Sanquhar and District Community Council
Bringing the Community together is always high on the agenda for this Community Council, with Christmas events well attended and greatly appreciated by the local community.
DGC welcome your feedback and hold public consultations and information days so that you can take part in decisions that affect you. Current open consultations of particular interest to Community Councils include the following:-
Have your say on Democracy Matters
People across Scotland are being asked to suggest ways of increasing local control over decision-making as phase two of Democracy Matters is launched. This second part of the national conversation will give people the opportunity to come together in their communities and funding up to £300 is available to help with the costs of hosting local events.
Take the Survey
The Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice are conducting a survey of key stakeholders in relation to crime and justice for young people in Scotland and they would be grateful if Community Councils could complete the survey.
 Windfarm Update
Contact James Parker at James.Parker@dumgal.gov.uk
Application deadlines to be aware of:
- Clyde Windfarm 12th January 2024 (North-East of Region)
- Kilgallioch Fund February 2024 (West of region)
- Ewe Hill Fund 31st January 2024 (Annandale & Eskdale)
- D&G Regionwide Community Fund – Spring 2024 (Regionwide)
 Planning and Licencing Update
www.dumgal.gov.uk/planning
Call For Ideas
Scotland’s new National Planning Improvement Champion is calling for ideas on what a high-performing planning system looks like and what impact it has.
Planning authorities and service users are being asked to respond to three questions:
- What are the outcomes we need the planning system to deliver to have impact?
- What makes a high-performing planning authority?
- How can we measure this?
Follow Scottish Government Planning and Architecture Division
Online application service: eDevelopment.scot
Licensing - Short Term Lets www.dumgal.gov.uk/licensing
The Scottish Government has introduced Short Term Lets Licensing under legislation approved by the Scottish Parliament in January 2021.
Update - Due to the upcoming deadline for existing hosts to apply for a Short Term Lets licence by 1 October 2023 the Council is experiencing a high volume of queries. Existing hosts who submitted their applications and have paid their fees by 1st October 2023 can continue to operate until their application is determined, new hosts require to be licensed before operating. We would be grateful if applicants did not contact us for progress updates.
 88 Community Councils are now established across the 12 Wards within Dumfries and Galloway. Please ensure your Community Council details are up to date and notify us of any changes at Community.Councils@dumgal.gov.uk
Information Commissioner’s Office - has your Community Council registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) yet? Signed up for the free newsletter? Need more information on this? Visit the Information Commissioners Office now.
WARD OFFICERS can provide support with community engagement, community empowerment, community development and community planning.
YOUTH COUNCIL Why not take the opportunity to invite your Youth Councillors along to your Community Council meeting to find out how you can work in partnership. Click on the link below and make that connection with your Youth Councillors.
NATIONAL SUPPORT
Scottish Community Council Newsletter - Access the free subscription newsletter from the Scottish Government Improvement service. Packed with information, news and funding opportunities Scottish Community Councils Website Scottishccs@improvementservice.org.uk
The Scottish Government Community Council website is for anyone interested in community councils. The site has up to date information on news, events, guidance and grants as well as advice on how to be a Community Councillor. Check out the help and support section www.communitycouncils.scot
LOCAL SUPPORT
The DGC Community Council mailbox is administered by Dumfries and Galloway personnel. Send in your Agendas and Minutes to comply with the scheme – Role of Secretary, section 6.5 or just get in touch with us and we will ensure a prompt response Community.Councils@dumgal.gov.uk
CCESCommunities@dumgal.gov.uk A Dumfries and Galloway Council operated enquiry service. Send your request to the CCES mailbox in connection with any DGC delivered service.
REPORT IT www.dumgal.gov.uk/reportit
click on Report it and view the options available which includes reporting potholes, missed bins collection and many more.
POLICE SCOTLAND
Police Scotland Community Policing Team are available to attend any events or meetings which are taking place across the Division that could provide reassurance and support to local communities and partners. Contact the relevant area at
NithsdaleCPT@Scotland.police.uk
AnnandaleandEskdaleCPT@Scotland.police.uk
StewartryCPT@Scotland.police.uk
WigtownCPT@Scotland.police.uk
ONLINE PLATFORMS
Many Community Councils have Facebook pages and Twitter accounts to keep their communities involved. Dumfries and Galloway Council also have Facebook and Twitter pages which are updated regularly with news, information and contact details. Click on the icons for Facebook and Twitter to find out more.
FUNDING SUPPORT
www.tsdg.org.uk sign up for a free, information packed Third Sector Dumfries & Galloway weekly funding newsletter
www.dumgal.gov.uk/funding Our council also has a range of funding available from our area committees’ discretionary fund, tackling poverty and inequalities fund and other funding streams.
www.communitycouncils.scot For national funding available, contact the Scottish Community Council Website
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