Latest news with #GailMacgregor
Daily Record
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Dumfries and Galloway Solway coast environment project in line for £8 million
The Solway Coast and Marine Project Landscape Connections (SCAMP) Landscape Connections is being backed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund An environmental project aimed at restoring and protecting the Solway coast is in line for £8 million. The Solway Coast and Marine Project Landscape Connections (SCAMP) Landscape Connections will take place across the next 10 years and includes 35 projects aimed at restoring habitats. And it is now being backed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund's Landscape Connections scheme, which has granted SCAMP £1.4 million to help shape their plans. If the detailed proposals are accepted, a further £6.4 million of funding will be unlocked. Dumfries and Galloway Council is leading the protect, which also includes Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands, Crichton Carbon Centre, Galloway Fisheries Trust, Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere, The Solway Firth Partnership, The Southern Uplands Partnership and the RSPB. Council leader, Gail Macgregor, said: 'Our beautiful Solway Coast has been so important to Scotland's coastal and natural heritage though time. We are incredibly excited to have The National Lottery Heritage Fund's support for SCAMP Landscape Connections confirmed as we plan for the best possible future for this cherished natural resource. 'The initial development funding provides the essential financial support that will allow us to develop plans for long-term programmes along with the community. 'With a potential total investment of almost £8 million from the Heritage Fund this commitment demonstrates the huge potential of our Solway Coast to become a leading light in coastal and marine nature restoration, playing its part in helping with the nature and climate crisis. 'By allowing our coastal and marine environment to thrive we will be bringing opportunities for learning, green jobs, wellbeing and nature related economic development to our communities. 'Dumfries and Galloway Council is incredibly proud to be leading the SCAMP partnership, which is made up of seven nature-based organisations who are committed to improving the wellbeing of our marine and coastal nature, leaving it in a healthier state for future generations to benefit from and enjoy. Being the first area in the UK funded through the Heritage Fund's Landscape Connections initiative is a great testament to the hard work and commitment of the partnership team.' The Scottish Solway Coast stretches for more than 200 miles with a spectacular diversity of stunning scenery. SCAMP aims to understand, conserve, restore and develop the potential of its natural, cultural and built heritage by working with the local community. Habitats to be prioritised include seagrass meadows, native oyster reef, saltmarsh, coastal woodland and sand dunes. Other aspects work to support blue carbon, marine and coastal biodiversity financial markets and 120 miles of new coastal trail, with improvements at 10 coastal gateway sites. SCAMP is the first scheme to supported through the National Lottery Heritage Funds £150 million scheme, which aims to boost nature recovery and allow rural economies to thrive. Chief executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Eilish McGuinnes, said: 'This is the perfect project to kick-start our UK-wide £150 million Landscape Connections initiative, demonstrating the scope of our ambitions to support nature recovery on a vast scale. 'The Solway Firth's rich natural heritage has supported communities along its length since the earliest settlement. The heritage of millennia of human habitation are reflected in the landscape and history of the people, places and communities, and this will be enhanced with National Lottery player support to deliver large-scale, long-term, meaningful change for the environment and its people, furthering our vision for heritage to be valued, cared for, and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.'
Daily Record
16-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Lack of suitable homes making 'significant' contribution to Dumfries and Galloway key worker shortage
A new study has found that the health and social care, education, policing, forestry and farming sectors are all being hit by the problem. A lack of suitable homes is making a 'significant' contribution to Dumfries and Galloway's key worker shortage. A new study has found that the health and social care, education, policing, forestry and farming sectors are all being hit by the problem. And more short-term rental homes are needed near hospitals to help tackle the problem, along with more affordable rural housing. The report – called Key Worker Homes in the South of Scotland – has been published following research by South of Scotland Community Housing in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Council, Scottish Borders Council, South of Scotland Enterprise and Scottish Futures Trust. Chief executive at South of Scotland Community Housing, Mike Staples, said: 'The collaborative nature of this work has underpinned the importance of supplying the right mix of homes to sustain services and grow critical sectors in southern Scotland. 'We look forward to continuing to work with partners to drive forward the report recommendations, including the key role community-led housing can play in meeting localised need.' The report states that a 'shortage of the right homes in the right places is having a significant impact upon key worker recruitment and retention across the south of Scotland'. It estimates more than 1,000 NHS staff across the south of Scotland are affected by the problem. It is also an issue in housing care and a 'significant' problem in education and affects around one in five members of staff in the police. Housing priorities for key workers include more short-term rental housing near hospitals, more new-build family homes for doctors in Dumfries and more employer-provided staff accommodation for those working in tourism and land-based industries. There is a particular need for more dedicated key workers in rural areas, particularly Stranraer and Sanquhar. And there is a requirement for 'more affordable rural housing to sustain and grow the young and working age population, addressing staffing challenges in various key worker sectors and the general needs of rural communities'. Dumfries and Galloway Council Leader, Councillor Gail Macgregor, said: 'Access to suitable accommodation is essential for our key workers, supporting the sustainability of vital services for local people. We need to ensure we have the right homes, in the right places for them. This research helps us all understand what we collectively need to deliver in partnership with employers.' South of Scotland Enterprise Chair, Russel Griggs OBE, added: 'Key worker homes are essential to our region. 'This research is a first for the South of Scotland and the recommendations will allow partners across the South of Scotland to take proactive evidence-based actions to address this issue.'
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Work to begin 'soon' on multi-million projects to improve green transport in Dumfries and Galloway
The UK Government's Department for Transport has confirmed that £13.8 million worth of Levelling Up funding will be coming to Dumfries and Galloway. Work will begin 'soon' on three multi-million projects aimed at improving Dumfries and Galloway's green transport links. The UK Government's Department for Transport has confirmed that £13.8 million worth of Levelling Up funding announced two years ago will be coming to the region. That means the council can push on with plans to introduce electric vehicle travel hubs and more electric buses, as well as improve cycle routes. Dumfries and Galloway Council leader, Gail Macgregor, said: 'I'm delighted to learn that we will soon be able to start work on a range of exciting transport projects across the region. The Transport Levelling Up Fund will build on the success of funding received from earlier rounds of the Levelling Up Fund in 2023, which enabled the council to deliver several projects including Dalbeattie Rocks and Wheels at a former primary school; the Stranraer watersports hub; redevelopment of the former George Hotel and improvements at Annan Harbour. 'As well as providing a significant economic boost to the region, this funding will make a real difference to residents, helping to join up journeys and offering more opportunities for people to walk, wheel or cycle as part of those journeys, especially in rural areas.' The funding will be provided in the current financial year to help three transport projects which aim to make greener transport more accessible to residents and visitors. One project will see the creation of 'multi-modal transport hubs'. These will be povided across the region, to link in with bus and rail services and also offer e-bikes and electric car club vehicles to hire. Public charging points will also be provided. The council also plans to introduce new electric buses and charging points and upgrade bus stops so that real time information can be improved. And the cash will also be used to improve cycle routes, with plans to upgrade the Kirkpatrick Coast to Coast routes among the proposed upgrades. Councillorr Macgregor added: 'Encouraging residents and visitors alike to use sustainable forms of transport, especially sustainable public transport and active travel, will have several benefits, including better personal health and wellbeing, reduced air pollution and congestion and an improved local economy. It will also contribute to our aim of becoming a net zero carbon emission region.'
