Dumfries and Galloway Council

The committee covered internal audit assurance, council-wide risks, health and safety, and an urgent update on the internal audit review. The main procurement-relevant issue was whether to commission an external quality assessment through the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors, alongside a wider internal review, to address capacity, independence, and future model options. Members also asked for further reporting and benchmarking on health and safety, stress absence, and risk management updates.

The meeting focused on two planning review cases concerning proposed dwellings in rural Dumfries and Galloway. Members debated whether the officer refusals should be upheld, with significant discussion on planning history, the status of prefabricated/static-style accommodation versus permanent dwellings, heritage and design considerations, and whether existing evidence was sufficient. The first case (Murray Arms Hotel, Gatehouse of Fleet) was decided immediately, while the second case (Elrigg Farm, Newshend Stuart) was deferred for an accompanied site visit to assess the condition of the existing house and the scale/massing of the proposed replacement dwelling.

The committee covered several procurement-related and financial governance items, including approval of a refreshed procurement strategy, updates to non-domestic rates relief software, year-end budget outcomes, ICT capital planning, and service plans for finance, HR, customer/digital, and electoral services. Key opportunities included strengthening local supplier participation, formalising reuse/refurbishment of redundant IT equipment, and managing capital and digital transformation spend with attention to cyber risk. There were also policy updates on fostering-friendly employment and managing change/benchmarking guidance, though these were more workforce than procurement focused.

Key procurement-related discussions included the completion of a regional body-worn camera rollout and ongoing digital modernization (PDAs, a new telephony/command-and-control system, and public digital contact improvements). The meeting also covered multi-agency approaches to drugs and harm reduction (Operation Belove), fire safety program rollouts and risk-based targeting, and the upcoming Sexual Harm Strategy launch. These items indicate near-term investment in policing tech and risk-informed safeguarding initiatives.

The Harbours Sub Committee discussed updates to regulatory compliance and safety planning, alongside budget and fee policy changes affecting harbor usage. Key items included Port Marine Safety Code compliance status, capital funding from the Coastal Benefit Fund, cost allocations across harbors, and an ENI-led decision to adjust harbour fees and charges from July. Operational impacts from Strand marina development and a planned finance explanation for a revenue variance were also addressed, with action items assigned.

The Economy and Infrastructure committee discussed several procurement-relevant items: community asset transfer for Langham old school (Langham Alliance), the final outturn and budget pressures for 2024-25, capital investment program reporting and asset-class governance, procurement implications of ASN transport, harbours fee restructuring, a major decision on a visitor levy (with a recorded decision to pause further work), and ongoing reviews of waste, toilets, and housing delivery (including Rural Islands Housing Fund). The committee also debated improvements to social and environmental capital projects and engagement with communities and partners.