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A budget consultation mandate for 2025/26 and future years was agreed by elected members at a meeting of Full Council yesterday (Thursday 3 October).
The consultation – where Dumfries and Galloway Council will ask people to fill in an online survey detailing costed budget saving options – will begin in late October and run until Friday 6 December.
The results will be reported at the next meeting of Full Council on Thursday 12 December and inform the decisions taken by councillors in setting spending plans at the council’s annual budget meeting in late February 2025.
In common with other local authorities, Dumfries and Galloway Council faces significant financial pressures, with a need to find around £30 million in savings over the next three years 2025–2028.
The financial landscape remains uncertain until the Scottish Government confirms the council's funding for the upcoming financial year 2025/26, expected in December 2024. The council’s large rural geography and increasing demand for services make these financial challenges even more pressing.
Dumfries and Galloway Council Convener, cllr Malcolm Johnstone said: “Some extremely difficult decisions will need to be made to stay within our budget. Although we've saved £130M over the past 15 years, we need to save £30 million more over the next three years and we’re committed to finding innovative solutions that work for everyone.
“The reality is we need to change, reduce or even stop some services and/or generate extra income from fees and charges.
“The council is committed to listening to the people of Dumfries and Galloway’s views in deciding its 2025/2026 spending plans. Their feedback will play a key role in shaping decisions about service priorities, potential savings and new opportunities to generate income – we value their input and want everyone to have their say.”
The consultation will begin on Thursday 31 October. There will be a dedicated budget consultation webpage from where people can fill in the online budget consultation survey, complete with costed budget saving options.
And an online Budget Challenge simulator will be available so people can explore which areas of council spending they want to save money from and which ones they don’t want to reduce.
In addition, there will be a series of Community Conversations budget consultation drop-in-sessions in each council ward where people can come along, speak to council employees and have their say in person.
And a programme of sessions across some council Customer Services Centres will be held for those citizens without access to a digital device or connection at home, to help them complete the consultation survey.
Cllr Johnstone added: “Like many other councils, we’re facing a huge challenge, but with people’s help, we can overcome it. We look forward to hearing what the people of Dumfries and Galloway have to say and I would encourage everyone to take part and fill in the survey.”
Further information will be shared on the council’s social media pages in the coming weeks. More detail about the consultation can be found in the consultation mandate approved by elected members at Full Council yesterday (Thursday 3 October): https://dumfriesgalloway.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s61918/Budget%20Consultation%20Mandate%20Appendix%20Final.pdf
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