Schools across the Stewartry could be under threat due to budget cuts
Schools across the Stewartry could be under threat due to budget cuts
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Schools across the Stewartry could be under threat due to budget cuts

Stuart Gillespie 🕒︎ 2025-10-23

Copyright dailyrecord

Schools across the Stewartry could be under threat due to budget cuts

Schools across the Stewartry could be under threat due to budget cuts. And Castle Douglas Art Gallery could also be in line for the axe. They’re among a string of options the public is being asked about as part of a consultation on next year’s budget. The council needs to make around £35 million of savings over the next three years, meaning tough decisions must be made. The webpage for the budget consultation, which launched on Friday, states: “Importantly, this £35 million shortfall does not include any indicative council tax increases tentatively planned for 2026/27 and 2027/28. “Even with those increases, a significant funding gap remains. “These challenges are not unique to Dumfries and Galloway – councils across Scotland are facing similar pressures caused by inflation, rising costs and increasing demand for services across large rural areas. The current threshold for mothballing a school is if it falls below 10 pupils or less. Changing that threshold to 25 pupils or less failed to make the cut in last year’s budget. This time around there are three options to “consult on school closures” – the most extreme of which would be schools with 50 pupils or less. This could potentially put the future of 36 schools in jeopardy, leading to total savings of more than £3.5 million by 2028/29. School roll census figures presented to the education committee last December show that Auchencairn, Colvend, Dalry, Gelston, Kells, Kirkgunzeon, Lochrutton, New Abbey, Palnackie, Shawhead and Twynholm Primaries all had rolls below 50 pupils at that point. Another proposal would be to consult on closing nurseries with 10 children or fewer, saving around £320,000 by 2028/29. The consultation also includes an option to end free in-school music tuition for youngsters from primary five to sixth year. This would save as much as £564,000 a year by 2028/29. The consultation document warns: “This may mean school bands and choirs could no longer continue, and secondary schools might have fewer options for instruments in music courses.” Castle Douglas Art Gallery is one of four seasonal museums that could be closed, providing savings of £107,000 by 2028/29. Another potential money saver is collecting grey, household waste bins less often, which could generate savings of £120,000 by 2028/29. Other options include hiking fees for burial plots from £675,20 to £1,468, with the burial service fee going from £1,019.60 to £1,264. This would generate an extra £449,000 in 2026/27. Another potential money spinner would be an “invitation to pay” at more than 150 council car parks and picnic sites. It’s hoped this could generate as much as £400,000 by 2028/29 – although it “would not be enforced”. Members of the public will also be consulted on options which formed part of last year’s process but didn’t make the final budget. Among them are closing Castle Douglas Swimming Pool and closing public toilets. A number of “operational savings options” which wouldn’t require consultation are also listed. If every option was adopted, nearly £8 million would be saved in 2026/27 and more than £24 million by 2028/29. The consultation, which runs until November 23, is available at www.dumfriesandgalloway.gov.uk/budgetconsultation, which also has details of in-person events. Council leader Councillor Stephen Thompson said: “This is a difficult financial period for local authorities all across Scotland, and our council is no exception. We need to make savings as well as look at ways to raise income while continuing to protect the vital services that support our region’s communities. “Dumfries and Galloway councillors need to hear what matters most to people as early in the process as possible before they take significant budget decisions.” “I would encourage everyone to submit their views either online on the simulator, by using a paper survey, or by attending one of the community conversation events. “This is about listening to the people of Dumfries and Galloway so that the views you submit can make a difference ”

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