Overview
Thank you for your interest in Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Budget Consultation 2026/27.
The consultation closed on Sunday 23 November 2025. We received a record level of feedback from residents, employees, community groups and partner organisations across the region.
All responses have now been analysed and shared with elected members. A detailed report summarising the feedback received was considered by councillors at Full Council on Thursday 11 December 2025 as part of the next stage of the budget-setting process.
You can read the consultation feedback and next steps in the Council Budget – 2026/27 and Future Years report (Item 4) on the Full Council agenda here:
https://dumfriesgalloway.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=137&MId=6211
Councillors will take this feedback into account as they develop budget proposals ahead of setting the 2026/27 budget in February 2026.
The Budget Consultation 26/27 is now closed.
Budget agreed – February 2026 update
Dumfries and Galloway councillors agreed the council’s 2026/27 budget at Full Council on Thursday 26 February 2026.
The decisions taken followed the Budget Consultation carried out in autumn 2025, which received a record level of engagement from residents, employees, community groups and partner organisations. Feedback gathered through the consultation was analysed and shared with elected members as part of the budget-setting process.
You can read the council’s announcement and a summary of the agreed budget here: Balanced 2026/27 Budget Set with 8.5% Council Tax Rise to Safeguard Services | Dumfries and Galloway Council
Full details of the budget proposals and the papers considered by councillors are available on the Full Council agenda for 26 February 2026: Agenda for Dumfries and Galloway Council on Thursday, 26th February, 2026, 10.30 am | Dumfries and Galloway Council
Work is now underway to implement the agreed budget decisions.
Like councils across Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway Council faces difficult financial choices in the years ahead.
Rising costs and growing demand for services mean every pound must stretch further, while funding isn’t keeping pace.
To help meet this challenge, councillors have agreed to consult early and openly on a range of potential savings and income-generation options before setting the 26/27 budget in late February 2026.
This consultation will run from Friday 17 October to Sunday 23 November.
Your feedback will help councillors understand what matters most to people across Dumfries and Galloway and will inform the decisions they take when setting the budget.
May 2026 update
What we do
The council delivers a wide range of essential services that affect daily life in our region – including education, social care, waste collection, roads, planning, leisure, housing, libraries, licensing and many more.
We work closely with partners in the NHS, Police Scotland, the third sector and communities to support local wellbeing and sustainable growth.
Where our money comes from – and how we spend it
To pay for these services, the council receives income from three main sources:
- Scottish Government funding (General Revenue Grant)
- Non-Domestic Rates
- Council Tax
We also collect income through some fees and charges, such as leisure facilities, school meals and waste uplifts.
View our Budget infographic – showing where the council’s funding comes from and how it is spent.
Watch our video explaining how local government funding works.
The financial challenge we face
Over the past 16 years our council has already made around £133 million in savings.
We now need to identify a further £35 million over the next three years through savings and new income to balance the budget and protect vital services.
Importantly, this £35 million shortfall does not include any indicative Council Tax increases tentatively planned for 2026/27 and 2027/28.
Even with those increases, a significant funding gap remains.
These challenges are not unique to Dumfries and Galloway – councils across Scotland are facing similar pressures caused by inflation, rising costs and increasing demand for services across large rural areas.
Our plan and principles
Our Council Plan 2023–2028 sets out our vision for Dumfries and Galloway:
“Our ambition 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.”
We aim to:
- safeguard our future
- support our citizens
- support our communities
- be a responsive council
This Budget Consultation is part of that commitment – giving everyone a chance to help shape priorities for the years ahead.
Taking part in the consultation
There are several ways to get involved between 17 October and 23 November:
Complete the online Budget Consultation survey
Share your views on a range of potential savings and income-generation options.
Your responses will help councillors make informed decisions about spending priorities when they set the budget in February 2026.
Take the Budget Challenge
Try our interactive simulator to explore how savings and income generation could help balance the council’s budget.
You can adjust digital sliders – including one for Council Tax – to see how different decisions might affect overall spending.
Attend a Community Conversation
We’re running drop-in sessions across all 12 council wards during October and November.
You can come along in person and share your views on the Budget Consultation.
At each session you’ll find:
- council staff to speak with
- displays showing information from the website and survey
- paper copies of information
- devices and support if you’d like to take part online
- interpreter support if needed
Everyone is welcome.
| Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 4 November | 3pm–7pm | Ryan Centre, Stranraer |
| 4 November | 3pm–5pm | Loreburn Shopping Centre, Dumfries (in front of Summerhill Community Futures Shop) |
| 4 November | 5pm–7pm | DG1 Leisure Complex, Dumfries |
| 6 November | 3pm–7pm | YMCA Centre, Lochside Road, Dumfries |
| 7 November | 3pm–7pm | Moffat Town Hall, Moffat |
| 10 November | 3pm–7pm | Customer Service Centre, Newton Stewart |
| 11 November | 3pm–7pm | Sanquhar FUN Pool, Sanquhar |
| 11 November | 3pm–7pm | CD Community Centre, Castle Douglas |
| 12 November | 3pm–7pm | Dalbeattie Town Hall, Dalbeattie |
| 12 November | 3pm–7pm | Annan Swimming Pool, Annan |
| 13 November | 3pm–7pm | Lochthorn Customer Service Centre, Heathhall |
| 18 November | 3pm–7pm | The Buccleuch Centre, Langholm |
| 19 November | 3pm–7pm | Customer Service Centre, Kirkcudbright |
Need help or have a question? Email the team at [email protected]
Need help to take part
If you don’t have internet access at home, there are other ways to take part.
Visit your local library or Customer Service Centre. There are 24 across the region and colleagues can:
- give you a paper copy of the survey and information
- help you use free WiFi on your own phone, tablet or laptop
- support you to take part online using a public computer
Use whatever works best for you – paper, public computer or your own device.
We’ll support you to take part.
Find your nearest Customer Service Centre
Need the survey in a different format?
If you need this information in a different way – like large print, audio or another language – please get in touch with us and we’ll get back to you.
You can contact us by:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 030 33 33 3000
Website: Get in touch | Dumfries and Galloway Council
Petitions
If you are organising a separate petition related to the budget proposals, please ensure you send the petition outcome to [email protected] before the consultation closes. This will help ensure your views are considered alongside other feedback.
A word from our Council Leader
Watch Council Leader Councillor Stephen Thompson’s video message to hear more about this year’s consultation, the financial challenges ahead and how your views can make a difference.
“This consultation is about more than numbers – it’s about listening to what matters most to the people of Dumfries and Galloway. Every community, every colleague and every partner has a stake in how we shape our services for the future.”
Documents and links
Your questions answered – you can view our frequently asked questions here.
Next steps
All responses will be analysed and presented to councillors in December 2025, ahead of the Full Council budget meeting in February 2026.
Findings will also be published on this webpage.
Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to take part in the Budget Consultation 26/27.
Your input will help shape the council’s priorities and inform how we deliver services across our region.