This page has been set up to provide the community with details of where to get advice and assistance in matters relating to local public interest issues, severe weather, housing issues, fuel poverty, Covid etc. It is updated as and when such advice or assistance comes to the attention of the Community Council.
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Posted 18 Sept 2022
The link below is from Trading Standards Scotland and relates to the growing number of scams being found relating to cost of living issues
https://www.tsscot.co.uk/cost-of-living-scams/
Posted 13 Sept 2022
Financial Harm Event: Notice from Police Scotland
"There have been over 300 Frauds reported in Dumfries and Galloway alone since the start of 2022. These have been varied in their deception, however, all have been with the intention of resulting in some type of financial loss. This year has seen a rise in scams, such as crypto currency and the use of Social media sites such as WhatsApp.
It is the intention of Stewartry Community staff to carry out the following actions in relation to the above
: Pop Ups to be done at local outlets such as Wilko and Tesco stores. These will begin on Friday 30th September 2022 in Castle Douglas.
: Leaflet drops in residential areas with elderly and more vulnerable residents (date to be confirmed).
: Carry out face to face inputs at meeting groups.
: Multi-Agency drop in at Castle Douglas Town Hall on Monday 10th October between 12pm and 3pm offering all kinds of advice from the different agencies including
: Police Scotland
: Bank of Scotland
: Trading Standards
: Citizens Advice
: Community Safety
: Victim Support
There will be advertising for all of the above on Social Media as well as local newspapers such as the Galloway News with more details. I would also request that you circulate the above among your local communities to ensure we reach as many people as possible."
Posted 1 Sept 2022
https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/article/15927/Benefit-advice-and-financial-assessments
A further link that may be of use in the coming months
Posted: 24 July 2020
Bin collection timetables for Gatehouse of Fleet
Please find attached links to the 2022/23 bin collection timetables for route 354 (Monday collection) and route 251 (Friday collection).
Stewartry_354Mon.pdf (dumgal.gov.uk)
Stewartry_251Fri.pdf (dumgal.gov.uk)
Updated 21 July 2022
Mining Issues:
JDH Exploration made a presentation to Community Council members on 31 May 2022. A link to their website is shown below
Website – www.jdhinscotland.com
The site has a FAQs page and a document library
It is hoped that a copy of the slides used last night will be available in due course.
JDH Exploration are part of Walkabout Resources. A link to their website is also attached
where, under Investors, quarterly reporting, updates can be found on UK activities, including ongoing work in the Galloway area.
Updated 21 July 2022
From the Hub -Community Action Centre
"Help with Heating Costs - Fuel Subsidy Scheme
We are a referring partner for Home Heating Advice Scotland and so continue to provide this subsidy which covers any form of heating i.e. electricity, gas, oil, LPG/calor gas, coal whether you pay by pre-payment meters, by monthly direct debits or by quarterly bills etc.
HOW TO APPLY
You will need to supply us with the following information:
Your name, address, date of birth, NI number, phone number, email address, proof of means tested benefits as well as the number of child dependents, adult dependents and number of adults over 75yrs in your household.
You will need to supply a recent energy bill or paid invoice which shows your name, address and customer reference number.
If your home is difficult to heat and has an energy performance certificate rating E or F please let us know as well.
If you are in fuel debt, please submit any evidence of the debt.
Applications and the information documents required above need to be in the same name of the householder/utility account holder.
We then submit the application to Home Heating Advice Scotland on your behalf who will assess the level of subsidy they will pay direct to your fuel supplier who will credit the payment to your fuel/utility company account and/or send you an email with pre-payment meter vouchers.
Please submit your application by email with all the information required to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . For more info phone 01387 269161"
POTHOLE REPORTING
https://info.dumgal.gov.uk/faultreporting/Road/Defect
The above link should take you to the D&G Council website where potholes in need of repair can be reported. Follow the instructions on the page and once the report has been submitted, you will be provided with a case reference number that allows you to follow up the request if needed.
Link placed: 10 March 2022
D&G Citizens Advice is Here to Help with Current Energy Crisis
Dumfries & Galloway Citizens Advice Service (D&G CAS) wants people to know they are here to help with soaring energy bills. With energy prices rising and the cost of living increasing, D&G CAS is here to advise and support those in need.
The support D&G CAS can give you includes:
● Helping you identify grants or benefits you may be eligible for to make sure you are getting everything you are entitled to.
● Talking to your energy supplier on your behalf, checking if your bills are correct and helping you find ways to reduce your energy bills.
● Advising and supporting you with any debts you may have.
●Offering budgeting and financial management advice.
● Advising on housing issues which may be contributing to rising energy bills.
With increasing energy bills following the price cap rise in October, rising inflation meaning higher prices in the shops, as well as recent reductions to Universal Credit they know people in the community may be struggling, but D&G CAS is here to help. You can contact D&G CAS on 0300 303 4321, by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or through their website www.dagcas.org. If you prefer to get information online, you can visit the Money Map tool at moneymap.scot or the general advice website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland
SEVERE WEATHER ISSUES
Useful phone numbers:
- In an emergency always dial 999 when there is a risk to life or property.
- Dumfries & Galloway Council Contact Centre - Dial 030 33 33 3000 (this number is monitored 24hrs a day / 365 days a year)
- Dial the 101 the non-emergency number to make local Police aware of any policing issues in your area.
- Dial 111 for provide urgent care advice and mental health support day or night from NHS 24
- Dial 105 to report or get information about power cuts in your local area.
- Dial 0800 023 2023 for Openreach to report issues related to telephone services in your area
- Dial 0800 077 8778 for Scottish Water related issues
- Dial 0800 111 999 for Scottish Gas related emergency issues such as a gas leak
Useful Web links:
For weather advice: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/advice/
For weather warnings: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/ukforecastwarnings
For flood warnings http://www.sepa.org.uk/flooding.aspx
For flood Advice: https://scottishfloodforum.org/news/latest-news/
Power cuts map: https://www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/pages/power_cuts_map.aspx
Emergency School Closure https://info.dumgal.gov.uk/esc/home
For winter preparedness: Ready Scotland Ready for Winter
For public transport advice: http://www.travelinescotland.com
For roads advice: http://trafficscotland.org/
For Ferry travel sailing to and from Cairnryan https://www.poferries.com/en/routes/cairnryan-to-larne/travel-information/timetables and https://www.stenaline.co.uk/routes/cairnryan-belfast/timetable
For disruption to Rail https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/indicator.aspx