|
Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
Friday 30 May
Welcome to Council News, your fortnightly update from our council.
Our team is always keen to give you updates on the things that matter the most to you.
We also want to share positive stories about things that are happening in your community.
If you have news that you'd like to share – shining a light on an individual, community group or event – we would love to feature them in our Community bulletin.
Please email us at communitybulletin@dumgal.gov.uk with feedback or story ideas and one of our reporters will get back to you.
Bus Procurement Update
In conjunction with regional transport partnership SWestrans, Dumfries and Galloway Council is engaged in a live tender process to re-procure bus services.
SWestrans is responsible for delivery of the local bus network, while the home-to-school transport network is the statutory responsibility of Dumfries and Galloway Council.
The contracts for bus services for home-to-school transport are due to expire at the end of this academic year and the subsidised local bus network contracts operated by SWestrans will end on 3 August 2025.
There is a need to re-procure contracts to provide these services from August 2025.
As part of the tender process, the council and SWestrans need to ensure that we have bus operators that meet minimum requirements on a range of industry-standard terms and conditions. This is in order to protect the public interest.
Dumfries and Galloway Council and SWestrans continue to work through a tender process that has supporting and connecting the communities of Dumfries and Galloway firmly at its heart.
The council takes its statutory duties to provide those children entitled to school transport extremely seriously and are committed to ensuring all school transport routes are operational for the start of the school year in August, with these routes being given priority. In addition, the council and SWestrans are committed to providing a well-connected local bus network.
These long-term contracts will provide bus operators with certainty and stability in a market that is increasingly fragile and unsustainable.
The evaluation, clarification and negotiations relating to tenders received from bus operators is ongoing and confidential. With this in mind, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.
We will update our webpage when we have further news to share.
Households with Private Domestic Water Supplies Urged to Use Them Sparingly
Dumfries and Galloway Council is warning households with private domestic water supplies to use them sparingly in light of the extended period of dry weather.
Significant rainfall over a prolonged period is required to restock some supplies.
SEPA has raised the river catchment of the river Esk to ‘Moderate Scarcity,’ meaning all of our region now falls under the moderate scarcity alert status.
More generally, Scottish Water has warned all households to use water supplies sparingly after a very dry start to the year.
While private water supplies are the responsibility of the owners and users, Dumfries and Galloway Council is providing support to domestic properties which experience water shortages. This will be access to bottled water, 144 litres per person per week, for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene.
Those affected are also being encouraged to use water wisely and follow this advice:
- Ensure your supply is secure with no leaks.
- Take timed showers as opposed to baths.
- Ensure washing machines and dishwashers are fully loaded.
- Harvest rainwater for gardening use and avoid use of hoses.
- Consider moving livestock to an alternative supply.
- Contact neighbours and family to discuss your contingency plan.
If you need assistance in relation to water supplies, please contact the council by phoning 030 33 33 3000 (during office hours) or by emailing: environmentalhealth@dumgal.gov.uk.
Nith Catchment Fishery Trust
The Nith Catchment Fishery Trust will soon begin survey work along the River Nith as part of environmental survey works for the Whitesands Flood Protection Scheme.
These surveys are expected to continue into the autumn, with timings carefully chosen to suit each species.
Work on the river may include electrofishing to monitor young salmon and lamprey, kick sampling for aquatic invertebrates and checks for species such as fresh water pearl mussels, American signal crayfish, and water voles.
An important part of Nith Catchment Fishery Trust’s work will be surveying for invasive plant species such as Giant Hogweed. Originally introduced as an ornamental plant in the late 19th century, Giant Hogweed can cause skin blistering on contact especially in exposure to the sun.
The public, and dog walkers in particular, are being asked to keep clear of Giant Hogweed and to report any sightings to the trust.
In the News
We publish all of our press releases from the last 12 months on our website so you can keep up-to-date.
Recent releases include:
- Bus Procurement Update.
- Youth Beatz 2025 Fringe Festival launched.
- £1.57 Million Investment to Transform Lochvale House.
Have Your Say
We welcome your feedback and hold public consultations and information days so that you can take part in decisions that affect you.
Watch Council Meetings
We stream videos of a wide range of council meetings on our YouTube channel.
Recent recordings include:
- Planning Applications Committee
- Annandale and Eskdale Area Committee.
|
