The group looking to take forward the new “Dynamically Different Dumfries” (DDD) action plan for the town are set to hold two information and recruitment sessions by the Midsteeple in the town centre to showcase the action plan and look for more prospective members for the community and business-led organisation.
Dumfries Partnership Action Group (DPAG) is about to formalise what was a voluntary partnership that oversaw the community engagement and production of the DDD action plan and are to hold the sessions on Saturday 30th July and Saturday 6th August at the Midsteeple between 11.00 and 3.00pm on both days.
Spokesperson 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. Both ordinary and board members (trustees), will be taking part in a genuinely unique way of working that is supported by the community. 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 to be held at 7.00pm on Wednesday 17 August at the Loreburn Hall. If you think you might be interested and are passionate and hopeful about the future of the town, then 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.
Coordination 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.
Continued DPAG:
“What seemed to work with the drafting of the plan was the fact that those round the table were all actively involved in delivering business and community opportunities across the town and we had active support from the key agencies and others. That was what really makes this whole process and the action plan itself “dynamically 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. The new group will have a key role to play going forward by building on that positive but realistic spirit.”
Save the Date
Saturday Sign Up and Information Sessions: Sat 30 July & Sat 6 August 11.00-3.00pm.
Inaugural DPAG Annual General Meeting: 7.00pm Wed 17 August at the Loreburn Hall.