The Nithsdale Area Committee convened to address a range of local issues, including appointments, budget allocations, community engagement, and strategic planning. The committee agreed to register the New Abbey Local Place Plan, and discussed tackling poverty and inequalities, as well as updates on housing and parking strategies.

• Appointment of Chair and Vice-Chair
• Tackling Poverty and Inequalities Fund Allocations
• Local Place Plan Update and Registrations
• Development of the Regional Parking Strategy – Delivery Plan (Nithsdale)
• Dumfries Housing Market Area
• Outside Bodies
• Scottish Fire and Rescue Services, Nithsdale Area Performance Report 2024-25
• Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing Directorate – Area Performance Reporting
• Economy and Infrastructure Directorate – Area Performance Reporting
• Enabling and Customer Services Directorate – Area Performance Reporting
• Social Work Services Directorate – Area Performance Reporting
• Nithsdale Area Committee - Programme of Community Engagement 2025/26
• Nithsdale Area Committee Discretionary Budget 2025/26 – Dumfries-Gifhorn Twinning
• Land at Kirkgate Dunscore - Disposal
• Land at Greenlane, Ashfield Drive, Dumfries

Tackling Poverty and Inequalities Fund Allocations 2025/26

The committee addressed the allocation of £68,544 from the Nithsdale Area Committee Tackling Poverty and Inequalities Fund for 2025/26. The priorities, eligibility, and criteria for the fund were agreed upon at a previous meeting on 14 May 2025.

After assessing 15 applications, the scoring panel recommended awards based on a scoring framework that considered factors such as match funding, alignment with priorities, benefit to those experiencing poverty, evidence of impact and need, and community involvement. The recommendations, detailed in NAC Appendix 2 - Tackling Poverty and Inequalities, led to the following allocations:

• Lochside Community Association: £10,000
• Apex Scotland: £10,000
• Shax: £10,000
• First Base: £10,000
• Dumfries YMCA: £7,500
• Kirkconnel & Kelloholm Development Trust: £5,311.50
• Kirkmahoe Community Council: £1,035
• Nith Valley Leaf Trust: £4,387.50
• D&G Handyvan: £3,750
• Old School Thornhill: £6,560

The panel did not award funding to Better Lives Partnership, DG Voice, and Wanlockhead Community Centre due to insufficient funds. Early Years Scotland and The Wheatley Foundation Ltd were deemed ineligible.

Local Place Plan Update and Registrations

The committee agreed to register the New Abbey Local Place Plan (LPP), acknowledging that it met the legislative requirements. The New Abbey Local Place Plan outlines objectives related to street safety, social interaction, housing, public transport, and natural space. The committee also noted the progress of other community bodies in the Nithsdale area in preparing their own LPPs.

Development of the Regional Parking Strategy – Delivery Plan (Nithsdale)

The committee approved the final version of the Regional Parking Strategy – Delivery Plan (Nithsdale), as detailed in the RPS Delivery Plan-Nithsdale Final Report. The plan addresses parking supply and management, wayfinding and signage, technology and information provision, future mobility, accessibility and user prioritisation, active travel and public transport, enforcement, and marketing and communications. The committee also noted the progress of the Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) application.

Dumfries Housing Market Area

The committee noted additional information regarding the Housing Market Area identification process and an update on housing delivery in the Nithsdale area.

Land Disposal

The committee considered reports on the disposal of land at Kirkgate in Dunscore and Greenlane, Ashfield Drive in Dumfries. For the land at Kirkgate Dunscore, the committee noted the background of the surplus land and the response from Dunscore Community Council, which had no interest in the land. Members were asked to identify any other groups to engage with regarding the disposal. Similarly, for the land at Greenlane, Ashfield Drive, Dumfries, the committee noted that the land was surplus to requirements and that relevant community groups had been consulted. Members were asked to identify any other local groups to be engaged with regarding the disposal.

Outside Bodies

The committee reviewed appointments to various outside bodies, including the John Paul Jones Birthplace Museum Trust, Moorheads Hospital Trust, Nith District Salmon Fishery Board, Dumfriesshire Educational Trust, George D Grant Memorial Fund Sub Committee, Robert Burns Ellisland Trust, and Dumfries Town Board, and sought any amendments to the current appointments.

Other Key Discussion Points:

• Chair and Vice-Chair Appointments: The committee agreed to appoint a Chair and Vice-Chair, in accordance with standing orders.
• Scottish Fire and Rescue Services Performance Report: The committee scrutinised the performance report for Nithsdale from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for the period 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025.
• Area Performance Reporting: The committee noted new arrangements for performance management by Area Committees and agreed to select success measures and projects from various directorates for performance monitoring reports.
• Programme of Community Engagement: The committee considered and agreed to a proposed programme of in-person community engagement sessions for the year ahead, including stakeholders and topics for discussion.
• Dumfries-Gifhorn Twinning: The committee noted that no viable expressions of interest were received for the Dumfries-Gifhorn Twinning Area Committee priority and agreed to consider options for allocating the funding.