Latest news with #DumfriesandGallowayCouncil
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Daily Record
Illegal tobacco worth £3.5m seized during police raids in Scots town
Cops recovered the cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco from four properties in Dumfries town centre. Police have seized £3.5million worth of illegal tobacco following a series of raids in a Scots town. Cops recovered the cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco from four properties in Dumfries town centre. Three men – aged 25, 28 and 31 – have been arrested in connection with the find and the matter is also the subject of an HMRC investigation. Police and Dumfries and Galloway Council's Trading Standards officers executed four warrants on Wednesday morning. Around 500,000 cigarettes, 103kg of hand-rolling tobacco and approximately £7,000 in cash were seized. The recovery is believed to represent a potential loss of more than £350,000 in duty and tax. Inspector Anna Boyd said: 'This is a significant recovery, and we will continue to work with our partners to deter and detect this type of criminality. 'I would encourage anyone with information about illegal cigarettes or tobacco within the local community to contact Dumfries and Galloway Council Trading Standards, Police Scotland on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Councillor Andy Ferguson, chairman of Dumfries and Galloway Council's economy and infrastructure committee, added: 'Officers from our trading standards team have taken part in a multi-agency operation this week with Police Scotland and HMRC in relation to illicit tobacco. 'Tobacco detection dog, Boo, is funded by SCOTSS (The Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland) and helped trading standards officers carry out their duties. 'This operation is part of Operation CeCe Scotland – a nationwide partnership between Scottish councils and HMRC together with Police Scotland to tackle the retail sale of illegal tobacco products – and the recovery of these illicit goods is an important achievement in ensuring our communities remain safe and is a great example of successful partnership working.'
ITV News
17-07-2025
- Business
- ITV News
Community projects receive more than £700,000 to help transform Stranraer
More than £700,000 of funding has been awarded to two projects aimed at transforming Stranraer. The money, secured by Dumfries and Galloway Council from the Scottish Government, will go towards the development of residential and office spaces in the town, as well as a new community hub. Cllr Andy Ferguson, Chair of the council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee, says the £710,000 investment will be a "turning point" for the town. He said: "When the ferries left in 2011, there was a big hole left in Stranraer's heart. Jobs were lost, and spending in the town dropped dramatically. The impact was felt across the community. "It's the first real step in delivering on the hopes and ambitions of the people of Stranraer. This signals the unlocking of the £6 million funding announced by the Scottish Government in 2016 for the regeneration of Stranraer.' Stranraer was identified as one of five towns in Dumfries and Galloway eligible for investment through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal. Funding for these projects will come from an investment of £9m provided by the Growth Deal and the commitment of the Scottish Government. Cllr Tony Berretti, Vice Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, believes the creation of the Stranraer Place Plan and the Town Team "have been game-changers". He said: "This grant is a testament to the hard work of our communities, partner organisations, and council officers. "We're still in the early stages, but this funding allows us to begin the vital planning and survey work needed to bring these projects to life.'
Daily Record
14-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Dumfries and Galloway bike facilities set for upgrade thanks to Levelling Up cash
Plans are being made for 'multi-modal transport hubs' in both Castle Douglas and Gatehouse. Bike facilities are set to be improved in two Stewartry towns. Plans are being made for 'multi-modal transport hubs' in both Castle Douglas and Gatehouse. The developments – which would include bike lockers, repair stations and electric vehicle charging points – would be funded by the UK Government's Levelling Up fund. Two years ago, the council was awarded £13.8 million through the scheme to boost green transport links. One of the hubs could be in the Market Hill area of Castle Douglas and would include the existing tourist information centre. A public consultation on the idea is under way, with documents showing it would contain bike storage lockers – including e-bike charging points – a repair station, a bike and dog wash, EV charging points and parking bays for car club hire. There would also be 'improved community space'. The proposal was discussed at a recent meeting of the town's community council. Posting on the body's Facebook page, community councillor Colin Eade said: 'We were amongst several other community groups in the town who received this presentation from the council, and we were asked for our thoughts and feedback, as were the other groups. 'As a community council, whilst we thought the idea was a great one, we were concerned with potential designs that would require losing parking spaces on the Market Hill, as this could be detrimental to local businesses. 'We were also concerned about designs that required trees to be chopped down, or too much green space being used that could negatively impact events such as the producers' market, civic week events or the soap box derby, as well as the day-to-day enjoyment of the park by local people. 'We suggested considering the space immediately beside the existing Heart of Galloway building, as this would protect parking spaces and trees, but remain in a central location. 'There was no vote taken by the community council regarding where the hub should be located, and the final design has been created by Dumfries and Galloway Council based on feedback from all the community groups.' And he added: 'As a community council, we fully support the creation of this new hub as we believe it will be a great asset to our town.' A council spokesman said: 'Dumfries and Galloway Council is currently developing a multi-modal transport hub in Castle Douglas, to be located on Market Hill, supported by funding from the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund. 'This is part of a wider initiative to deliver nine transport hubs across the region, aimed at making sustainable and active travel more accessible for residents and visitors. Click here for more news and sport from Dumfries and Galloway. 'The Castle Douglas hub will incorporate the tourist information centre and is designed to support walking, cycling, and public transport use. 'The consultation is advertised in several places on the land, within the local customer service centre, and within the visitor information centre. Local stakeholder groups have also been sent the notices and information.' Paper copies of the consultation are available from the customer service centre in Castle Douglas Library. Responses can be submitted there or to LUFtransport@ A planning application has been submitted to create another hub at Fleet Vale Car Park in Gatehouse. It would also have lockers, a repair station and an EV charging point as well as a bus waiting area.
Daily Record
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Thousands of visitors expected at Lapeca Scottish Landscape Awards exhibition in Kirkcudbright
More than 100 pieces from this year's awards have gone on display at Kirkcudbright Galleries. Thousands of visitors are expected at a new exhibition in Kirkcudbright. More than 100 pieces from this year's Lapeca Scottish Landscape Awards have gone on display at Kirkcudbright Galleries. And it is hoped more than 20,000 people will enjoy the display between now and the end of September. This year's winner of the awards was Mick McGraw for his artwork Glen Croe landslide, August 31 2020. His photo was taken from the slopes looking over the Rest and Be Thankful on the A83, an area repeatedly hit by landslides which Mick knows well as a member of Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team. Mick, who is programme leader for the Master of Letters in the Fine Art Practice programme at Glasgow School of Art, wins £10,000 and a specially-commissioned sculpture by Lorna Fraser, who won the Scottish Landscape Sculpture Award in 2023. Mick said: 'Landscape for me is layered with history, politics and human intervention. Glen Croe is not just a scenic view but a place where engineering solutions and natural forces collide, shaping how we navigate the familiar terrain. 'Winning this award encourages me to keep exploring these fragile intersections and to document how our attempts to control the landscape become part of its evolving story.' The exhibition is the biggest and most ambitious survey of contemporary landscape art in Scotland today and includes emerging artists alongside established professionals working across a wide range of media – from painting, sculpture, drawing and miniatures, to photography and film. Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council's communities committee, Tracey Little, said: 'The Scottish Landscape Awards 2025 celebrates the powerful connection between place and creativity – honouring artists who capture the spirit of extraordinary landscapes. 'We are delighted that the partnership between Dumfries and Galloway Council and The Scottish Arts Trust has brought this significant exhibition to our region.' The Scottish Landscape Awards exhibition is free to visit runs at Kirkcudbright Galleries until September 28.
Scotsman
18-06-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Stagecoach: Almost all bus services to be axed in Dumfries and Galloway in 'hammer blow'
All but two of Stagecoach's bus services in Dumfries and Galloway appear set to be axed. Sign up for the latest news and analysis about Scottish transport Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Almost all of Stagecoach's bus services will be axed across Dumfries and Galloway, as the firm was accused of leaving communities stranded. All but two of the bus operator's services in the region will be dropped, Stagecoach has told Dumfries and Galloway Council. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A Stagecoach bus. | National World The firm has said the decision has been made because the routes are "no longer commercially viable". Up to 130 jobs are expected to be at risk. These roles include more than 100 drivers, as well as engineers, cleaners, admin staff, and depot managers. The firm is expected to close both its Dumfries and Stranraer depots under the decision. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The terms of the new contracts Stagecoach's existing contracts with the local council and transport partnership SWestrans are due to expire on August 6. The company said it had found a liability clause as part of the tender process to continue the services that was "far in excess of the value of the contracts". The X74 route to Glasgow is expected to be one of the only services retained by Stagecoach. Stagecoach's position Stagecoach said in a statement: "We're unfortunately unable to agree to a contract on these disproportionate terms. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "We've been working with the council and SWestrans to find a solution to the procurement ask, but unfortunately the liability levels required by the council have made this impossible. "As a result, our tender submissions have been disqualified as non-compliant." All school transport and council-subsidised routes across the region are provided by Stagecoach under the existing contract. Dumfries and Galloway Council told the BBC that negotiations over the tender process were "ongoing and confidential". Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dumfries and Galloway and Ayrshire have been named as some of the hotspots for more wind farm developments | Katharine Hay It has not been confirmed whether another bus operator outside of Stagecoach could take on the routes from August. 'Utterly decimate' services South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth last month warned the the withdrawal of Stagecoach from Dumfries and Galloway would 'utterly decimate' local bus services. 'If Stagecoach go ahead with their threat to withdraw from the region, this would be devastating news for the workforce,' he said at the time. 'My thoughts are with every employee now facing uncertainty about their future. 'Stagecoach's possible exit would be a hammer blow to public transport in our region and utterly decimate local bus services. Having squeezed out competition over the years, Stagecoach know full well this would leave many communities cut off and pupils unable to get to school after the summer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'To abandon local jobs and lifeline services while clinging onto the profitable routes from afar would be the height of corporate irresponsibility. I urge Stagecoach to think again.' Mr Smyth said he had raised the issue as an urgent matter with Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop. A Stagecoach West Scotland spokesperson said last month: 'The majority of the bus services Stagecoach operates in Dumfries and Galloway are under a contract arrangement with SWestrans, which are due to expire in August 2025. 'Dumfries and Galloway Council have managed a tender process on behalf of SWestrans, which we have participated in. As part of our due diligence reviewing the terms of the contracts being tendered, we have identified a liability clause that is far in excess of the value of the contracts on offer.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The spokesperson added: 'Stagecoach is unfortunately unable to agree to a contract on these disproportionate terms, and we have now notified the council. It is our understanding that our bids will not be recommended for award.'
