BUDGETARY pressures being felt by Dumfries and Galloway Council could impact the most vulnerable people in the community, a councillor has warned.
Financial forecasts are not looking good after a budget update report for the first quarter of the 2024/25 year showed significant overspends and suggestions of dipping into cash reserves.
At last week’s first-ever enabling and customer services committee, Lochar Councillor Linda Dorward described the budget situation as an “emergency”.
Her Labour Group challenged the committee members and council leader Gail Macgregor to request more money from the Scottish Government for the most vulnerable citizens.
Councillor Dorward said: “We’re approaching winter and we’ve got a lot of vulnerable citizens who, according to this report, are going to be less well off shall we say with the budget cuts.
“This is actually an emergency and I think that should be the thrust of the communication.”
A motion calling for more Holyrood cash was put forward by Annandale North Labour Councillor Carolyne Wilson, seconded by Councillor Dorward.
North West Dumfries Councillor Andy Ferguson suggested amending it to include the UK Government in the proposed missive.
His SNP colleague, Mid Galloway and Wigtown West Councillor Katie Hagmann, who chaired the meeting, said: “I would be content to write to both governments. I’m also content that we include the (council) leader in that letter, I’m also happy to put my name to that.
“I think it is important we take on the inclusive nature of this.”
Councillors agreed the letter should be sent to both governments expressing the desperate need for additional cash to avoid drastic cuts over the next year.
The budgetary report tabled at the meeting identified cash shortages due to financial strains such as staff pay awards, non-inflationary cost increases, and social work services.
The Labour Group argued this meant “real terms funding cuts from the Scottish Government”.
