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Friday 22 August
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.
 New Bus Network Q and A Now Live
The council has published a new Q and A webpage to help residents understand recent changes to the region's public bus network.
Developed in response to feedback from the public and others, the page provides clear, accessible information on a range of key topics. These include the reasons behind recent service changes, updated timetables, school transport eligibility, ticketing and fares and plans for future improvements. It also outlines how residents can share feedback and stay informed as further updates are made.
The council and SWestrans would like to thank residents for their patience during this period. We know that some of these changes have caused disruption and concern for residents and we understand that the new network hasn't met everyone's needs. We've listened to the real-life impact shared by communities and we're committed to making further improvements, where possible.
We also extend sincere thanks to the bus operators running subsidised and commercial services in the region for their flexibility and cooperation as we work together to improve the public bus network.
We are grateful for the ongoing support of:
- Andersons of Langholm.
- Borders Buses.
- Brownriggs Coaches.
- Houston’s Coaches.
- McCalls Coaches Ltd.
- Telfords Coaches.
 Dumfries and Galloway Council Shortlisted for National Award
We’re proud to announce that Dumfries and Galloway Council has been shortlisted for Overall Council of the Year in Service Delivery at the APSE Service Awards 2025.
This recognition reflects the strength of all our submissions to the awards, including those that were not individually shortlisted. We’re one of just seven councils across the UK to be recognised in this category.
Three of our projects have also been shortlisted in their respective categories:
- The Next Generation of Registrars (Best Workforce Initiative).
- Making Our Community a Safer Place (Best Community and Neighbourhood Initiative).
- ‘Find it Clean, Keep it Clean’ (Best Innovation and Demand Management Initiative).
Congratulations to everyone involved. The awards ceremony will take place in Glasgow this September, and we look forward to celebrating the achievements of our teams.
Council Staff Help Shape Domestic Abuse Reform in France
Justice Social Work colleagues from Dumfries and Galloway Council have played a key role in informing proposed domestic abuse legislation in France, sharing their expertise at a major international conference and contributing to wider reform efforts.
Catherine Knipe, Locality Manager for Justice Social Work, and Allyson McLaughlin, Senior Social Worker in the Programme Delivery Team, were invited to present at the École Nationale d’Administration Pénitentiaire (ÉNAP) conference in Agen. Their session, ‘Overview of the Caledonian System: Responding to Domestic Violence in Scotland’, showcased the Council’s delivery of this nationally recognised programme and highlighted Scotland’s legal and practice-based approach to coercive control.
The invitation followed a visit in 2023, when Dumfries and Galloway’s Public Protection Partnership, in collaboration with the University of the West of Scotland, hosted senior French domestic abuse researchers. That visit focused on Scotland’s recognition of coercive control in law since 2018 and highlighted the region’s trauma-informed, multi-agency practice.
Scotland’s model has since helped inform a draft law on coercive control now backed by the French National Assembly, with further evidence provided to a French Senate enquiry earlier this year.
This recognition reflects the professionalism, dedication and passion of our Justice Social Work staff, whose work continues to influence practice and policy far beyond our region.
 Local Housing Strategy Sets Out Vision for Homes and Communities Across Dumfries and Galloway
Dumfries and Galloway Council has unveiled its updated Local Housing Strategy (LHS), setting out a clear and ambitious plan to meet housing needs across the region. Required under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, the strategy enables the council to plan effectively for current and future housing demand.
The LHS supports the delivery of housing services that promote wellbeing and strengthen communities. The strategy includes a range of innovative actions, such as:
- Investing £1 million annually through the Town Centre Living Fund to support regeneration.
- Developing brownfield sites and empty buildings for new housing.
- Partnering on specialist housing models via the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP).
- Implementing the national landlord registration scheme under the Anti-Social Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004.
- Providing tailored support through the Scheme of Assistance for private sector residents.
- Funding the Care and Repair service via the Adult Health and Social Care Partnership.
This forward-thinking approach recently earned Dumfries and Galloway Council the MJ Achievement Award 2025 in the Innovation in Housing category. Judges praised the council’s ability to deliver diverse, locally tailored solutions across a large geographical area, empowering communities to shape their own futures.
The LHS explores the critical link between housing and population trends, with targeted actions aimed at reversing depopulation and supporting community resilience. It also sets out approaches to:
- Housing delivery and placemaking.
- Homelessness prevention.
- Specialist housing provision.
- Fuel poverty and climate change.
- Housing condition and integration with health and social care.
Extensive consultation and engagement have shaped the strategy, with input from residents, stakeholders and subject matter experts.
The proposals will be discussed at the Full Council meeting on 26 August. You can watch the debate live on the council’s YouTube channel.
Newton Stewart Footbridge Closure
During Storm Floris on Monday 4 August, a mature tree was blown down onto the pedestrian suspension footbridge in Newton Stewart, causing damage to three of the bridge’s hangers.
Following a formal inspection by our Engineering Team, the bridge has been closed to the public for safety reasons. We are currently seeking cost estimates for the necessary repairs.
Although we don’t yet have confirmed timescales for the repair work, we’ll provide further updates as soon as we do.
In the meantime, we kindly ask pedestrians to use alternative crossings in the area. Your safety is our priority, and we appreciate your patience and understanding.
Thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions, please contact our Customer Services team.
 New Teaching Colleagues Get Ready for Their First Day
It’s not just pupils preparing for the new academic year. Our newest teachers are, too.
On Monday 18 August, over 50 probationer teachers attended their induction day at The Bridge. This marked an important milestone as they got ready to begin their teaching careers.
This week, 40 primary and 11 secondary teachers stepped into classrooms across Dumfries and Galloway for the first time. We’re proud to welcome them into our school communities and wish them every success in the year ahead.
Children and young people across Dumfries and Galloway began their academic year on Thursday in pre-school, primary and secondary school settings. We’re sending our best wishes to every pupil as they take their first steps into a new term.
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:
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.
The council is in summer recess just now, but you can still watch previous meetings to find out the key issues being discussed.
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