The first of two information and recruitment days to take forward a town centre action plan for Dumfries takes place tomorrow at the Midsteeple between 11am and 3pm.
The aim is to formalise the voluntary partnership which oversaw the community engagement and production of the new Dynamically Different Dumfries scheme.
Dumfries Partnership Action Group, which is behind the venture, is holding two Saturday sessions to inform the public.
Both of the information and recruitment events will showcase the action plan and look for more prospective members to join the community and business-led organisation. The second
event is on August 6 and is also at the Midsteeple from 11am to 3pm.
A spokesman for DPAG, Tony Fitzpatrick said: “After a lengthy engagement and preparation stage, we are ready to move into the delivery phase for the new action plan. In May this year we put out a call for any individuals, businesses, or community groups with a genuine interest in the future sustainability of the town, to come forward and join our new membership organisation. DPAG welcomes people who share the community vision of a Dynamically Different Dumfries as outlined in the action plan, and who will work collectively, creatively, and collaboratively to deliver on that vision.
“The response so far has been really encouraging. We already have 53 expressions of interest with a number of those interested in joining the new board of trustees.”
The new organisation will launch formally with an inaugural AGM on Wednesday, August 17, at the Loreburn Hall at 7pm.
Mr Fitzpatrick added: “Anyone who might be interested and are passionate and hopeful about the future of the town, should come along to one of the Saturday sessions for an informal discussion and find out more.
“The commitment as a member isn’t huge, it’s more about bringing, sharing and exploring fresh, innovative and practical ways of delivering for the whole town.
“The action plan already identifies some 56 projects, half of which have either started (such as Midsteeple Quarter and Flourish) or are in the planning stages.
“The remainder, all of which were identified through the engagement process, have yet to be actively explored.
“One important message from DPAG and key partners such as Dumfries and Galloway Council and South of Scotland Enterprise, is that this is a living-working document which will change as projects are completed, new projects come on stream or perhaps prove too difficult or expensive to deliver at this time.
“Co-ordination of the delivery of the plan will be carried out through the new group, the framework for which has been put in place as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO).
“The DPAG name will be retained but the aims and membership will be quite different.
“While we face the same immense challenges as every town across Scotland, we feel we have a head start with some of the amazing projects and businesses that have survived and even quietly grown over these most difficult of times.
