Petitions reveal widespread opposition to cuts

NUMEROUS petitions have been produced in response to unpopular budget savings options. Dumfries and Galloway Council has been open and transparent about the whole process, and the necessity to review all its operations in order to help make savings of around £34 million will have to be made over the next three years. The local authority has been running a public consultation to get community feedback – and local residents have made their feelings clear. There have been widespread protests against under-threat services and potential building closures across the region. The other petitions received were: Annan Town Band on the potential removal of instrumental music instruction service – 2,838 signatures; Castle Douglas Community Council on the potential closure of Castle Douglas Swimming Pool – 1,504 signatures; two individual petitions of possible closure of Sanquhar Tolbooth Museum – 659 signatures; Kirkconnel and Kelloholm Community Council, petition to save Hillview Leisure Centre – 800 signatures; and another petition from an individual defending Hillview Leisure Centre – 566 signatures. These were the recorded petition figures last month, however they have likely gained more names since. A council report on the budget consultation process states: “Officers are aware there may be other petitions that continue to operate but these have not been submitted to date.”