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Friday 24 July

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.

Help Shape Our Poverty and Inequalities Strategy Refresh

We know that life can be harder for some people because of poverty, inequality and other barriers they face.

The council and partners are refreshing our Poverty and Inequalities Strategy and want to hear from people with lived experience to help shape its future priorities.

By sharing your views through a short survey, you can help make sure the strategy reflects what matters most to local people and communities.

Dumfries Roadworks Update

We wanted to provide an update on the planned road improvement works at Galloway Street, Laurieknowe and Cassalands.

Unfortunately, due to an unforeseen supply chain issue affecting materials required for the works, we need to reprogramme this element of the road improvements programme.

We know residents and road users will be disappointed by this delay and apologise for any inconvenience caused. We are working closely with our delivery partners to establish revised dates and will provide a further update as soon as the programme has been confirmed.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we work to complete these improvements as quickly as possible. We remain committed to delivering the roadworks programme and will keep the community informed of any further developments.

Education Maintenance Allowance Applications Now Open

Young people who are continuing in post-compulsory education may be eligible for an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) to help support their studies.

EMA is a payment available to eligible students, with eligibility based on household income and other qualifying criteria.

For the current application period, the income thresholds are £24,421 for households with one dependent child and £26,884 for households with more than one dependent child (subject to change). Applicants must also meet all other eligibility requirements detailed in the guidance and application form.

Students and families who think they may qualify are encouraged to apply now.

For more information, contact Education Support Services:

• Email: EMA@dumgal.gov.uk
• Telephone: 030 33 33 3000

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.

• Into the Wild at Powfoot.
• Free Back-to-School Uniform Events Across Dumfries and Galloway.
• Engagement on Dumfries and Galloway’s draft Local Biodiversity Action Plan.

Have Your Say

We publish all of our consultations and engagement on our website. Open consultations and engagements include:

• Local Biodiversity Action Plan.
• Common Good Register Consultation.
• Consultation on the discontinuation of education provision at Dalry Secondary School.

Watch Council Meetings

We stream videos of a wide range of council meetings on our YouTube channel.

You can watch previous meetings to find out the key issues being discussed. Recent meetings include:

• Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing Committee – 30 June 2026.

• Stranraer Common Good Fund Sub Committee – 1 July 2026.