A FIVE year plan has been agreed that sets out the council’s vision and strategic outcomes for the region.
Although they couldn’t agree on budgets, councillors on Tuesday backed The Council Plan 2023–2028.
It will guide activity across the local authority and centres on how it will deliver better outcomes for the citizens and communities in Dumfries and Galloway.
The agreed vision is: “To be a successful region, with a growing economy, based on fairness, opportunity and quality public services, where all citizens prosper. Working in partnership, with connected, healthy and sustainable communities. The region will be the natural place to live, work, visit and invest.”
And there are four key themes: economy; transport, connectivity and Infrastructure; education and learning; and health and wellbeing.
Council chief executive Dawn Roberts said: “Our elected members came to a unanimous decision and agreed our shared vision and plan for the next five years.
“With this Council Plan we aim to address a wide range of priorities that are important to our local communities. We carried out a public, staff and stakeholder consultation throughout January and feedback from this has been incorporated into the final plan.”
The plan pledges to:
- Address the climate emergency and transition to a carbon neutral region
- Protect and enhance the region’s natural capital and habitats
- Offer high standards of customer care
- Target resources to have a positive impact for the most vulnerable, people in need and those who are disadvantaged
- Embrace the opportunities and potential of digital technologies
- Balance spending and income to ensure finances are sustainable over the longer term
- Ensure transparency in decision-making
