Dumfries and Galloway is the third largest council area in Scotland. We employ 6475 staff to deliver services to about 148,790 people.
Dumfries and Galloway Council is often called 'the council', and is managed by:
- council employees (officers)
- the Chief Executive
- the Council Management Team
Council employees (officers)
The council has people working for it (often called 'officers') to:
- give advice
- implement decisions
- manage the day-to-day delivery of its services
The Chief Executive – Dawn Roberts
The head of the council is known as the Chief Executive. The Chief Executive of Dumfries and Galloway Council is Dawn Roberts.

The Chief Executive:
- has strategic oversight of all council operations
- ensures good governance and appropriate processes are in place
- is the chief strategic adviser to the Leader of the council and elected members, providing them with quality information to support decision-making and scrutiny
She manages a workforce of 6475 people and has ultimate responsibility for delivering a range of services and managing our annual revenue and capital budget.
She is also responsible for delivering the Council Plan.
The Council Management Team
The council comprises of four groups called 'directorates' each led by a director who reports to the Chief Executive.
- Executive Director, Lorna Meahan – Enabling and Customer Services
- Executive Director, Lisa Arnold – Economy and Infrastructure
- Executive Director, Gillian Brydson – Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing
- Service Director (CSWO), Stephen Morgan – Social Work Services
The Council Management Team is detailed within the chief officer structure below.
Contacting our staff
We publish relevant contact details on this website alongside service information wherever possible. You can also direct enquiries to us via a few different channels:
Contact us via the website
Email: contact@dumgal.gov.uk
Telephone: 030 33 33 3000
Council procedures and regulations
These documents govern and guide the decisions made by the council and its officers.
Code of Corporate Governance
The Code of Corporate Governance assists us in achieving good governance:
Standing Orders
The Standing Orders regulate our proceedings and business:
Procurement Standing Orders sets clear rules for the procurement of goods, work and services:
Schemes of Administration and Delegation
Schemes of Administration and Delegation set out how the work of the council is distributed as well as setting payment and expense levels:
- Scheme of Administration and Delegation to Committees
- Scheme of Delegation and Responsibilities to Officers
- Scheme for the Administration of Member Remuneration Expenses and Travelling
- Scheme for the Administration of Non-Elected Members' Expenses
Member and Officer Protocol
The Member and Officer Protocol guides our members and officers in the way they work with each other:
- Member and Officer Protocol
- Member and Officer Protocol Appendix 1
- Member and Officer Protocol Appendix 2
- Member and Officer Protocol Appendix 3
- Member and Officer Protocol Appendix 4
- Member and Officer Protocol Appendix 5
- Member and Officer Protocol Appendix 6
- Member and Officer Protocol Appendix 7