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Friday 13 June
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.
Summer Activities for Young People Across Dumfries and Galloway
Summer of Play is back for 2025, and children and young people will have the chance to take part in a wide range of free activities over the summer holidays taking place in local communities across our region.
Activities are available from Friday 4 July to Wednesday 20 August and are specifically aimed at children and young people aged 5 to 16 years old (up to 25 years old for care experienced young people) who are within the priority groups that the funding is aimed at.
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.
The programmes and activities available throughout 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.
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.
Activities can be searched on our website by town, postcode or based on interests.
For more information, please email amazingsummer@dumgal.gov.uk.
Dumfries and Galloway Council Youth Work Team Wins National Award
Huge congratulations to our council’s Youth Work Team for winning the UK Local Government Team of the Year at the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Awards in London on 11 June.
The LGC Awards celebrate excellence in local government across the UK, recognising the dedication of teams and individuals who make a real difference in their communities. The 'Large Team of the Year' category honours high-performing teams that demonstrate exceptional collaboration, leadership, and impact.
The award highlights the incredible work of volunteers and youth workers involved in delivering the Youth Beatz Festival and our community-based youth work programmes and it reflects the excellent work of our those who deliver in communities every day – making a significant impact on young people and locals as well as the huge achievement in delivering Youth Beatz and The Toon.
The judges were hugely impressed by Dumfries and Galloway Council's entry for large team of the year. By turning a popular event into a service across education, they have inspired young people and boosted their confidence. What most impressed the judges was the real, lived experience in their team, and the difference it made across the region and beyond.
The awards were attended by some of our volunteers, frontline staff and Councillor Maureen Johnstone, Chair of Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing Committee.
We are so proud of the team for delivering the largest youth event in the UK for our young people in Dumfries and Galloway. Well done to everyone involved!
Join our Team
Are you ready to make a real difference in your community? We’re looking for dedicated and reliable individuals to join our frontline waste collection team.
What you’ll do:
- Collect domestic and commercial waste using wheeled bins, sacks, or loose materials – helping keep our streets clean and safe.
- Work outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Operate and take responsibility for allocated vehicles when required.
Why join us?
- Be part of a supportive team.
- Enjoy the satisfaction of a physically active role.
- Play a vital role in protecting the environment and public health.
Dumfries and Galloway Council Backs Drowning Prevention Week
Dumfries and Galloway Council will mark Drowning Prevention Week 2025 from 14–20 June by promoting the importance of staying safe in and around water this summer.
The council is a member of the local Water Safety Forum and works alongside a range of partner organisations to raise awareness of the risks associated with water-based activities and to encourage safe and responsible behaviour.
Drowning Prevention Week is an annual campaign organised by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK). It aims to inform communities about how to enjoy the water safely – especially during warmer months when people are more likely to swim, paddle, or play in lochs, rivers and at the coast.
Dumfries and Galloway is home to an abundance of beautiful natural water bodies, along with managed facilities such as leisure centres and swimming pools. While activities in and around water can be a great way to enjoy the summer, safety must always come first.
The key messages are clear:
- Never mix alcohol with swimming or water sports.
- Be cautious with inflatables, particularly in the sea, where currents can pull them out quickly.
- Always follow local safety guidance.
- If someone is in trouble, do not enter the water – call 999 and use any available rescue aids, such as a throw line or ring.
Borrow an Instrument Like a Book
Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Music Service and Libraries Service are working with community partners Dumfries Music Collective (DMC) to launch an instrument loan service from libraries across Dumfries and Galloway.
With the help of Music Education Partnership Group (MEPG) and Creative Scotland, you can borrow instruments from libraries to learn, play and experiment for free.
From guitars and ukuleles, to trumpets and violins, there are over 20 instruments to borrow. Join us on launch day at the Ewart Library in Dumfries on 20 June from 3.30pm to 5.00pm.
A708 Road Closure
A708 will be closed daily from Monday 23 June 2025
The A708 will be closed for carriageway resurfacing works from Monday 23 June to Friday 27 June inclusive between 9.00am and 5.00pm daily. The closure will be from the Fish Farm to approximately the Grey Mare’s Tail area.
Diversion (all vehicles) are in place via A708, A707, A72, A701. Please note that this diversion will add a significant time to your journey and travellers should plan accordingly.
The road will be fully reopened to traffic from 5.00pm to 9.00am each evening while the closure is in place.
Public Access PC Upgrades Begin Across Libraries and Customer Service Centres
We’ve started upgrades of public access PCs and printers across our Libraries and Customer Service Centres.
This is part of our wider work to modernise facilities, improve access to digital services and support an even more inclusive, user-friendly customer experience.
The rollout is being delivered in phases, with improved equipment arriving at centres over the coming weeks.
We’ll provide further updates as the programme continues. For any queries about public access PCs, please contact: yourlibrary@dumgal.gov.uk.
Unaudited Accounts – Public Notice Now Available
A public notice is now available relating to the council's unaudited accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025.
It includes details on inspection arrangements, how to request access and key dates.
Self-Catering Property Owners Reminder to Respond
The local Assessor is currently reviewing self-catering holiday properties across Dumfries and Galloway.
If you’ve received a letter requesting evidence of letting activity, please respond by 9 July.
This determines whether your property remains in the Valuation Roll for non-domestic rates or moves to the Council Tax Valuation list.
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:
- Youth Work Team Wins Prestigious national award.
- Work begins on Dumfries' new Zero Waste Park.
- Free summer activities for young people.
- Donate at Youth Beatz.
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:
- Social Work Services Committee.
- Economy and Infrastructure Committee.
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