Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Administration budget proposals for financial year 2022/23 will continue to support COVID recovery and deliver on local priorities.
Dumfries and Galloway Council will set its budget at its Full Council meeting on Tuesday 22nd February. Councillors will set council tax levels and agree spending across key services. The Council’s Administration budget proposals will deliver on local priorities
Key proposals set out in the Administrations’ budget
- Increasing the number of teachers by 10 and support for learning assistants by 14.
- Implementation of a Fostering Fee, boosting the income of foster families.
- Allocating £270,000 to projects in the Council’s Strategic Net Zero Route Map
- Funding a 2022 Summer of Play programme, providing opportunities for all children and young people over the summer holidays.
- Increase roads investment by £960,000 to take account of inflationary increase in raw materials.
To support local services and jobs the Council’s Administration budget proposals contain a limited Council Tax increase of 3%. The majority of local residents will pay no more than 71p a week extra in Council Tax over financial year 2022/23. This will be offset for residents in Bands A to D by a government grant of £150.
Only one budget proposal has been submitted for consideration by Elected Members after the Conservative Group on the Council failed to submit a budget proposal.
Councillor Elaine Murray, Leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the value of the services our Council provides and the workforce which provides them. As we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic new challenges face local residents and businesses such as the cost of living crisis and rising inflation. The Administration’s budget proposals recognise the pressure on household budgets while making investments that further support families and communities.
This is a budget that invests in local priorities. The Administration’s budget proposals will increase the number of teachers and support for learning assistants in our schools; alongside funding a Summer of Play programme, similar to our 2021 programme. These investments will support learning recovery and our children and young people’s health and wellbeing. In addition, we’ll take further action to reduce carbon emissions through investment to secure key projects such as the Dumfries Aquifer District Heating programme which will help us achieve our Net Zero target of 2025.
Only one budget proposal has been submitted. While the Conservative Group complain and oppose, the Administration is delivering on local priorities.”
Councillor Rob Davidson, Depute Leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council, “Our Administration’s budget proposals provide clear leadership in uncertain times. They take forward our priorities to grow the local economy, protect our most vulnerable people, ensure the best start in life for our young people, be an inclusive Council and to urgently respond to the climate emergency by ensuring tackling climate change is at the heart of everything our Council does.
Our budget proposals not only support families and jobs in Dumfries and Galloway, they deliver on local priorities. This budget proposes a clear policy decision that takes into account the views of pupils and parents and supports the learning and teaching in small schools with pupil rolls between 19 and 25. Our budget also puts more money into roads repairs to ensure repair funds keeps pace with inflation. Unlike the Conservative Group, this Administration is listening to communities across Dumfries and Galloway and delivering.”
