Putting Employment in the Spotlight
Written by author on January 10, 2014
At the Council’s Economy, Environment and Infrastructure Committee next Tuesday, Councillors will look to introduce policies to tackle unemployment in the region. The new administration plan to invest £1.5m over the next 3 years to create 400 job opportunities for young people and the long term unemployed.
The Living Wage will also feature as there are plans for 500 of the lowest paid workers in the private and third sectors to receive it.
As well as looking to introduce innovative policies, elected members will also look at budget saving options for the Council’s Planning and Environment service, such as energy efficiency measures. Each of the savings templates will be scrutinised and all the options considered. Full Council meets on 6 February 2014 to agree the Council’s budget for 2014/15 and an indicative financial plan for the subsequent 2 financial years.
Councillor Colin Smyth, Chair of the Council’s Economy, Environment and Infrastructure committee said:
“Building the local economy is the new council administration’s number one priority, that’s why it is vital we get the proposals to create 400 jobs absolutely right. Councillors will have the chance to debate and scrutinise these plans as well as discuss the wider strategy to tackle the scandal of high youth and long term unemployment in our region.
We will also be going through all the savings templates to ensure that the Council continue to deliver the best services possible. Nothing is set in stone and we still need the public to tell us what they think. The budget documents and survey are available at www.dumgal.gov.uk/budget
The budget documents and survey are also available at the Council’s local libraries and customer service centres and there are four public meetings this month giving local people a chance to have their say.”
Public meetings details are as follows:
• Stewartry Area – Monday 13 January 2014, 6.30pm, Castle Douglas Town Hall
• Nithsdale Area – Tuesday 14 January 2014, 6.30pm, George Street Hall, Dumfries
• Annandale and Eskdale Area – Wednesday 15 January 2014, 6.30pm, Annan Town Hall
• Wigtown Area – Thursday 15 January 2014, 7pm, Glenluce Village Hall
The budget consultation closes on Friday 17 January 2014
