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Friday 4 September
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 on the Future of Bus Services in Dumfries and Galloway
Residents, businesses and community groups are being encouraged to take part in a major review of bus services across Dumfries and Galloway.
Dumfries and Galloway Council, working with SWestrans, has launched a Bus Network Development Project to better understand how the region's bus network is meeting local needs and identify opportunities for improvement.
The engagement will gather views on what is working well, where there may be gaps in provision and how bus services can better connect people to employment, education, healthcare and other key destinations.
Feedback from the engagement will be considered alongside transport data and technical analysis to help inform future recommendations for the region's bus network.
Find out more and take part in the engagement by reading the full press release and completing the survey.
Council Recognised as a Fostering Friendly Employer
More children and young people in Dumfries and Galloway could benefit from safe, stable homes thanks to new support available for council employees who foster or provide kinship care.
Dumfries and Galloway Council has been recognised by The Fostering Network as a Fostering Friendly employer following the introduction of a new Foster Friendly Policy.
The policy provides practical support for employees who are foster carers, approved kinship carers, or who are going through the assessment process to become carers. This includes paid leave for fostering and kinship care-related commitments, flexible working arrangements where possible and guidance for managers.
As a corporate parent, the council recognises the important role carers play in providing children and young people with safe, nurturing and supportive homes.
The council hopes the new policy will not only support existing carers but also encourage more people to consider fostering.
People who foster come from all kinds of backgrounds and households, and an initial conversation does not commit anyone to becoming a foster carer.
Anyone interested in finding out more about fostering can contact FosteringAndAdoption@dumgal.gov.uk for an informal chat. Information and support for kinship carers is available by emailing KinshipCareSupport@dumgal.gov.uk.
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Newly Built Dumfries High School Officially Opens
The new Dumfries High School was officially opened on Friday 28 August, marking a major milestone for the Dumfries Learning Town project.
The £53 million school welcomed pupils in June and replaces the previous building that served generations of young people since the 1960s. Funded by Dumfries and Galloway Council with support from the Scottish Government's Learning Estate Investment Programme, the state-of-the-art facility can accommodate more than 900 learners and 100 staff.
The school features innovative digital technology, modern learning environments, wellbeing and outdoor learning spaces, a multi-purpose assembly hall and enhanced sports facilities, including a 3G pitch that is also available for community use.
Guests attending the official opening were given guided tours by senior pupils, showcasing the new learning environment and the positive impact it is already having across the school community.
Work on the wider Dumfries Learning Town project will continue, with demolition of the former school building and landscaping works due to be completed next year.
Happy Library Mondays Continue This September
Happy Library Mondays return to Ewart Library, Dumfries, throughout September with a different free activity each week.
The month begins with Let’s Reminisce on Monday 7 September, followed by Knit, natter, crochet and craft on Monday 14 September and the Silent Book Group on Monday 21 September.
On Monday 28 September, Deputy Lieutenant Major Charles Milroy will give a talk on The Dumfries Lieutenancy.
All sessions take place from 10am–noon at Ewart Library and are free to attend.
30 Days 30 Ways
Could you name the risks that might affect where you live?
September marks the start of #30days30ways, and your first challenge is simple – know your risk.
Dumfries and Galloway is a fantastic place to live, but our geography, rural communities, coastline, rivers and transport links mean emergencies can affect different communities in different ways.
Some risks we need to think about include:
- Severe weather.
- Flooding.
- Storms.
- Extreme temperatures.
- Wildfires.
- Power or telecommunications outages.
- Disruption to fuel and essential supplies.
- Infectious diseases and major accidents.
You don’t need to worry about every possible emergency. Instead think about the risks most relevant to your home and community.
Ask yourself:
- Is my home or community at risk of flooding?
- How would we cope with a prolonged power cut?
- Could severe weather make our roads difficult or impossible to use?
- Do we rely on medical equipment, medication or other essential services?
- Who nearby might need some extra help?
- Where would I get trusted information during an emergency?
Knowing your risks means you can take simple steps before something happens.
Dumfries and Galloway has more than 60 community resilience groups helping communities prepare for emergencies. Find out whether there is one near you and get involved.
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.
- Future of Bus Services in Dumfries and Galloway.
- Council Recognised as a Fostering Friendly Employer.
- Stranraer’s West Pier Closed to Public.
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.
- Dumfries and Galloway Bus Network Development Engagement.
Watch Council Meetings
We stream videos of a wide range of council meetings on our YouTube channel.
Council meetings resumed on 20 August. You can watch previous meetings to find out about the key issues being discussed. Recent meetings include:
- Economy and Infrastructure Committee – Tuesday 1 September 2026.
- Wigtownshire Area Committee – Wednesday 2 September 2026.
- Tackling Poverty, Inequalities and Housing Sub Committee – Thursday 3 September 2026.
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