Progress with town’s flood defence plans
It has been evident across Dumfries and Galloway in the last two decades just how important, but complex, drawing up flood protection plans can be for at-risk communities.
The impact of named storms has brought serious flood damage and understandable distress for residents and business people in a number of communities across the region and focused attention on reducing future risks.
Rising costs and identifying funding, along with local concerns in some cases about visual and other impact, have stalled progress in some places and I fully understand why residents wish to ensure major long-term changes to their neighbourhoods are as sympathetic and practical as possible.
However, I’m sure most who experienced serious flooding in parts of Newton Stewart, particularly in 2012 and 2015 when water from the River Cree and Penkiln Burn spilled into areas of the town, will, I’m sure, be pleased Dumfries and Galloway Council appear to have progressed well with their proposed Flood Protection Scheme and it seems to be one of the most advanced in the region.
I’m grateful to the flood protection team for an update in which they explain preferred plans have now been drawn up for a blueprint to provide a one in 200 years standard of protection and continued funding for the next phase has been agreed by councillors who will also be looking to the devolved Scottish Government for financial support to help deliver the scheme.
Detailed proposals are due to be published in Newton Stewart in May when local people will have a further opportunity to meet the team, scrutinise the details and make representations or lodge objections. If the scheme is then confirmed, there will be a detailed design phase and further engagement with affected residents and landowners.
I have been in touch with the council about individual concerns raised with me by a constituent in the town and hope the design team can take on board the issues they raise.
In the meantime, if funding and everything else falls into place, I understand construction could potentially start in 2025 with completion during 2027.
Council must look westwards
I offer my best wishes to Conservative colleagues who have taken up leadership of a new Dumfries and Galloway Council administration and I feel sure their focus will rightly stretch region-wide, including the specific local challenges in Wigtownshire.
As by far the largest group on the authority, it was appropriate the Conservatives 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 economic 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.
Budget help for rural areas
It was never going to be an easy Budget but I believe Chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivered one which is broadly beneficial to rural regions like Dumfries and Galloway.
I hope the new First Minister, whoever that may be, chooses to ensure extra funding from the Budget heading to the Scottish Government matches measures in other parts of the UK such as increasing funded childcare provision.
The news revealed by the Chancellor that the UK will avoid a technical recession and grow in the latest forecast was also positive as was the downward trend in inflation.
Freezing of fuel duty and maintaining a 5p reduction for a further year was a positive step in our large geographical region where driving is an essential for most, not a luxury.
The extension of the Energy Price Guarantee for another three months should help local households through the worst of the current crisis and my hope is prices will begin to, at least, stabilise moving forward.”
Ongoing tax incentives for businesses to invest in new machinery and technology together with steps to ease paperwork for international trade were also a shot in the arm.
I was pleased by confirmation that UK Government Investment Zone programme will continue, including a further one for Scotland.
I’m particularly keen in the longer term to see a joint-bid between Wigtownshire and the Northern Ireland coast which could bring development opportunities and tax incentives to both sides of the North Channel.
I did raise my concerns about the planned increase in alcohol duty and the impact on our local whisky industry but after previous freezes on the tax that was not considered possible on this occasion.
Defending our environment
The annual Keep Scotland Beautiful and Keep Britain Tidy spring clean campaigns began last week and continue through to April 17.
Wigtownshire is very attractive, appreciated by local people and visitors, but all too often our reputation is tarnished by a thoughtless few who discard rubbish or fly-tip, including beside busy roads like the A75 Stranraer - Gretna route, which should showcase our scenic countryside and coastline.
Tax-payers, organisations and landowners are often left to foot the bill and we all lose out as our environment and wildlife suffer.
There is also clear evidence that repeated littering and vandalism can have a negative effect on the feel-good factor in some of our normally vibrant communities.
I commend the efforts of an increasing number of volunteers in the region joining organised litter picks and I’m pleased to note fly-tipping, litter and vandalism appear to be edging up the political agenda at both Westminster and Holyrood.
Indeed, proposed legislation is being introduced at the Scottish Parliament aimed, in particular, at combating fly-tipping.
It follows data from Scottish local authorities confirming 375 formal fly-tipping case reports have been submitted to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service since 2016-17, but only 15 per cent have actually been prosecuted.
These figures are very disappointing, especially in light of data collated by the Scottish Conservatives showing that actual fly-tipping incidents in Scotland last year, in reality, exceeded 60,000.
The Member’s Bill is being put forward by Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser and has already attracted cross-party support.
It aims to improve current laws around fly-tipping, ensuring better reporting mechanisms and data collection together with increased standardised penalties. Both NFU Scotland and Scottish Land & Estates have also expressed support.
I’m sure many Free Press readers will agree with the proposal and, like me, wish those behind the Bill every success.
Saving lives on the coast
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 on this page 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 draws closer, visitor numbers flocking to our shores will increase sharply and the work of all lifeboat crews, and local HM Coastguard staff and volunteers, look set to grow further.
Paying tribute to Hammy
Like so many local people I would like to add my own tribute to the passing in his 91st year of Hammy McMillan, MBE, of Stranraer.
He was not only a charismatic, able and influential figure in Wigtownshire but across the south of Scotland and even Ontario, Canada where he ran a business in his younger days.
His contribution to the hospitality and tourism industry, employment, his community, skills and passion for curling together with his successful vision to deliver an ice rink to his home town was remarkable.
My condolences go to Janet and the rest of the family.