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Friday 31 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.
Have Your Say: Visitor Levy in Dumfries and Galloway
We invite residents, visitors, tourism organisations, and community groups to participate in our early engagement on the potential introduction of a visitor levy in Dumfries and Galloway.
A visitor levy is a small charge added to overnight accommodation costs, with revenue reinvested in local services and infrastructure to benefit both visitors and the community. Recent legislation in Scotland enables councils to consider implementing such a levy.
Your feedback will inform our approach to supporting tourism in the region and guide future decisions regarding a formal consultation on the introduction of a levy.
The survey closes on Friday 21 November.
Budget Consultation 2026/27 – Join the Conversation
Our council’s Budget Consultation 2026/27 is under way – and from next week, residents can take part in a series of Community Conversations taking place across Dumfries and Galloway.
The sessions are open to everyone. They’re an opportunity to hear more about the financial challenges facing local government and to share what matters most for your community before councillors set next year’s budget in February 2026.
Each event is informal and welcoming – simply drop in, ask questions and tell us what you think. Every conversation helps build a clearer picture of local priorities across the region.
If you can’t make an in-person session, there are other ways to take part:
Complete the online Budget Consultation survey Try the Budget Challenge simulator, which lets you explore how different decisions about savings or income could affect overall spending
Like all councils across Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway Council is facing difficult choices. Costs are rising, demand for services is growing, and the funding we receive isn’t keeping pace. We want to listen carefully before any decisions are made and ensure local voices are at the heart of the discussion.
Community Conversations begin Tuesday 4 November and continue through November across all 12 wards.
Free Winter Clothes Events
As the weather gets colder, it's important to make sure you have what you need to stay warm this winter season.
If you or someone you know is in need of warm winter clothes, you can collect some free of charge at any of the free warm winter clothes events, which are set to take place in the coming weeks. From jumpers, hats, scarves, jeans and tops, there're plenty of options, so don't go without. Free period products can also be collected.
Event dates and locations:
Kelloholm: Saturday 1 November, 11am–3pm, Hillview Leisure Centre (DG6 4ST).
Annan: Sunday 2 November, 11am–3pm, The Victoria Halls (DG6 12EE).
Dumfries: Friday 7 November, 10am–4pm, The Press, 117 High Street (DG1 2QT).
Kirkcudbright: Sunday 16 November, 11am–3pm, The Johnston (DG4 6EG).
Stranraer: Sunday 30 November, Noon–4pm, The Ryan Centre (DG7 9AP).
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:
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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