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Friday 17 October
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.
Budget Consultation 26/27 – Now Open
Like councils across Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway Council faces difficult financial choices in the years ahead. Rising costs and increasing demand for services mean every pound must stretch further, while funding isn’t keeping pace.
Our Budget Consultation 26/27 is now live – giving everyone across Dumfries and Galloway the opportunity to explore the challenge and share views before councillors set the budget in February 2026.
You can take part in several ways:
It’s not an easy conversation, but it’s an important one. Every view helps councillors understand what matters most to the people and communities of Dumfries and Galloway before decisions are made at the meeting of Full Council in late February 2026.
Meet the Buyer Event – Opportunity for Local Suppliers
The Whitesands Project team, led by McLaughlin and Harvey, is inviting local suppliers and subcontractors to a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event in Dumfries on Tuesday, 28 October 2025, from 11am to 2pm.
This event is part of the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phase, which was approved by Full Council in February 2025. ECI is essential for shaping the final business case.
Although the project has generated significant interest and offers economic opportunities for Dumfries and Galloway, it still requires final approval from councillors in December 2025 before moving forward. The event aims to build a strong local supply chain, covering work packages such as hard landscaping, earth works, piling, flood panels, traffic management, and soft landscaping.
Subcontractors with experience in flood alleviation or large-scale civil engineering projects are especially encouraged to attend. Registration is open to those listed on Constructionline, where the event is formally advertised. This is a valuable chance to engage directly with the project team and explore opportunities to contribute to a major regional development.
Last Chance to Share Your Views on Garden Waste Collection
Time is running out to have your say on Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Garden Waste Collection Service. The public survey closes this Monday 20 October so if you haven’t filled it out yet, now’s the time.
Whether you used the service this year or not, we want to hear from you. Your feedback will help us improve the service for everyone and make it more accessible and convenient in future seasons.
Not a customer? We especially want to hear from you. Tell us what’s stopped you from signing up and what would make the service work better for your household.
 More Weekday Journeys for 359 Newton Stewart to Girvan Bus Service
The latest improvement to Dumfries and Galloway's bus network will see more weekday journeys introduced on the DGC Buses 359 service between Newton Stewart and Girvan, following feedback from passengers.
From Monday 20 October, all journeys listed on the timetable will operate every Monday to Saturday, including school holidays. This means that services previously running only on school days will now be available throughout the week, offering passengers more consistent and flexible travel options. The service will continue not to run on Sundays, in line with current demand.
The 359 timetable change forms part of the ongoing Wigtownshire bus timetable review, which aims to ensure services better reflect community needs. You can have your say until 31 October: Help Shape the Journey in Wigtownshire with DGC Buses | Dumfries and Galloway Council
Check the new timetable here.
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:
- Council Launches Budget Consultation 26/27.
- Bus Timetable Improvements for DGC Buses 359 Newton Stewart to Girvan Service.
- Council Launches Interactive ‘Budget Challenge’ Simulator Ahead of Budget Consultation 2026/27.
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.
Current consultations include:
- Development of a Community Resilience Policy.
- Statutory Consultation on the Review of Education Provision at Palnackie Primary School.
- Statutory Consultation on the Review of Education Provision at Carsphairn Primary School and Nursery.
Watch Council Meetings
We stream videos of a wide range of council meetings on our YouTube channel.
You can still watch previous meetings to find out the key issues being discussed. Recent meetings include:
- Social Work Services Committee 9 October 2025.
- Tackling Poverty, Inequalities and Housing Sub-Committee 7 October 2025.
- Full Council 2 October 2025.
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