Councillors calls for increase in tackling poverty cash allocation

The three main parties operating in the council – Conservatives, Labour, and SNP – will be working on their proposals for spending the public pound wisely in the region in 2025/26.
A special budget meeting will take place at the end of this month where they will lay out their spending plans, and councillors will then vote on which budget to take forward.
Last year, a total of £1.827m went towards the cost of living crisis and funding 17 different anti-poverty projects.
However, this was a reduction on the £1.997m allocated the previous year.
Stranraer and the Rhins Councillor Willie Scobie, a member of the small Independent Alliance Group, insisted that the big three parties should increase the amount of money earmarked for tackling poverty next year.
Speaking at the council’s tackling poverty, inequalities, and housing sub committee last week, he said: “It’s very difficult – if we are really serious about tackling poverty in Dumfries and Galloway – to see how we could reduce funding.”
Referring to an earlier presentation that was made at the committee on the fuel poverty situation worsening, Councillor Scobie added: “It’s very difficult to see how we shouldn’t be increasing the amount of money that’s available to the various projects.
“Maybe there’s a message from this tackling poverty committee to the council as it goes to set its budget.
“If there are financial resources available, we should be looking to increase those and build on the projects that are already in existence.”
Mark Molloy, council service manager, replied: “Through the engagement with all political groups, it will be up to them to consider any future investments across all the areas of our council.
“If there is specific areas where groups wish to see more (spent), that will be within their gift when presenting their budgets in the coming weeks.”