Tough task
My best wishes go to Conservative colleagues who have taken up leadership of a new Dumfries and Galloway Council administration.
As by far the largest group on the authority, it was appropriate they stepped up to the mark after the previous arrangement including SNP, Labour and others collapsed.
The task facing new leader and deputy convener Cllr Gail MacGregor and deputy leader and council convener Cllr Malcolm Johnstone is daunting as their own team and other partners grapple with substantial budget shortfalls.
The council’s disappointing funding allocation from the SNP-Green Scottish Government and inevitable increase required in council tax still leaves many difficult decisions ahead.
I’m pleased that increased maintenance on too frequently crumbling roads has been identified as a priority and I know many will monitor progress.
As both Cllrs MacGregor and Johnstone clearly state, local communities need stability and efficient delivery of key services such as education, social care, tackling cost-of-living and promoting business success.
Their administration rightly aims to work in a collaborative way and I wish them well steering a steady course during this internationally challenging economic period.
Saving lives
I’m a long-time admirer of the RNLI and the various independent rescue crews who do such a fantastic job in saving lives along the Dumfries and Galloway coastline.
That’s why I’m pleased to highlight the RNLI’s latest appeal for volunteers to join them to help with their essential fund-raising activities and I wish to also point out the similar on-going need for support in the independent sector.
As summer comes closer, visitor numbers flocking to our shores will increase sharply and the work of all rescue crews, and local HM Coastguard staff and volunteers, looks set to grow further.
Spring clean
The annual Keep Scotland Beautiful spring clean campaign began this week and lasts through to April 17.
We have a beautiful region, valued by local people and visitors, but all too often our reputation is tarnished by a thoughtless few who discard rubbish or flytip, including beside busy roads like the A75.
Tax-payers, communities and landowners are often left to foot the bill and we all lose out as our environment and wildlife suffer. I commend the efforts of an increasing number of local volunteers joining organised litter picks.