Communities throughout Dumfries and Galloway are being encouraged to have their say and influence the delivery of ‘Streetscene’ services including grass cutting, grounds maintenance and street cleansing through a series of local Community Conversations in May and June 2018.
Community Conversations are informal opportunities for people to discuss areas of priority with Ward Councillors within their communities, identify any key challenges and emerging issues that our Council should be aware of and to discuss where potentially the community could assist through community spirit initiatives if these aren’t already underway locally. Community Conversations are a first for our Council and is clear commitment to greater community involvement as part of our Council Priority, ‘be an inclusive Council’.
Streetscene is essentially a range of local functions our Council delivers from grounds maintenance, burials, street cleansing, play park provision, public conveniences and school cross patrols. Highlighting assets which may require a higher or lower level of maintenance than is currently provided is really important as it will enable resources to be targeted on the areas that matter the most within local communities.
Community Conversations are open to everyone and staff from our Community Assets Service who work locally will be on hand to answer any questions and take on board your ideas and feedback. Following the conversations our Council will consider all of the information gathered and will set out possible changes and improvements to be made to the service within two weeks of the last meeting in each locality. People will also be able to hear about the changes that have been identified through these conversations by signing up for feedback at their local Community Conversation and information will also be available on our Council’s website and social media channels.
Andy Ferguson, Chairman of Communities Committee commented; ‘Our Council is committed to ensuring local people and communities are at the heart of our decision making and to empowering our communities to make the most of their assets. Community Conversations are a new approach to engaging with communities and involving them in identifying area of priority and opportunities for change. I would encourage local people from all walks of life to get involved and have their say’.
John Martin, Vice-Chairman of Communities Committee commented; ‘We know that involving communities in our decision making is really important and the standard of our parks, open spaces and street cleanliness is an area that many local people take a great deal of pride in. Our conversations with communities throughout May and June will be a good opportunity to discuss what matters most and how we can arrange our services according to local people’s ideas’.
Community Conversations
Ward Date, Location, Time
1. Stranraer and the Rhins 12th June, Stranraer Library – 6.30pm
2. Mid Galloway and Wigtown West 7th June, Glenluce Village Hall – 7pm
14th June, Wigtown County Buildings – 7pm
3. Dee and Glenkens 5th June, Kirkcudbright High School – 6.30pm
4. Castle Douglas and Crocketford 12th June, Springholm Memorial Hall – 5.30pm
5. Abbey 7th June, Dalbeattie Town Hall – 6.30pm
6. North West Dumfries 24th May, North West Resource Centre – 6.30pm
7. Mid and Upper Nithsdale 5th June, Wallacehall Academy – 6.30pm
6th June, Sanquhar Town Hall – 6.30pm
8. Lochar 31st May, Lochthorn CSC – 6.30pm
9. Nith 22nd May, Georgetown Community Centre – 11am & 6.30pm
10. Annandale South 12th June, Market Hall, Annan – 6.30pm
11. Annandale North 29th May, Lockerbie Town Hall – 6.30pm
5th June, Moffat Town Hall – 6.30pm
12. Annandale East and Eskdale 22nd May, Buccleuch Centre, Langholm – 6.30pm
23rd May, Richard Greenhow Centre, Gretna – 6.30pm
