The Enabling and Customer Services Committee met to discuss the council's financial performance, approve a lobbying framework, and review communication and procurement strategies. Councillors agreed to allocate £1.819 million to address overspending by the Integration Joint Board¹ (IJB) and approved an allocation of £250,000 from the Corporate Change Fund to develop transport infrastructure. The committee also adopted a new lobbying framework and a communications strategy for 2025-2028.

IJB Funding and Financial Challenges

The committee agreed to allocate £1.819 million to the IJB to address overspending on services delegated by the council during 2024/25. This decision followed a report by the Chief Financial Officer, Paul Garrett, which highlighted ongoing financial pressures and increasing demand for council services.

The committee also noted significant financial challenges faced by the IJB for 2025/26, including a potential overspend of £12.5 million on services delegated by the council. To address this, the council is providing support to the IJB through:

• non-recurring spend to save funding
• greater involvement of senior council officers
• enhanced reporting and engagement with council members

The committee noted that additional council funding beyond spend to save initiatives is very limited and that a clear change and savings plan is needed for the IJB to contain spending within agreed budget levels.

The committee also noted the decision of the Chief Executive, following consultation with Councillor John Campbell, Chair Enabling and Customer Services Committee, and Councillor Ben Dashper, Vice Chair Enabling and Customer Services Committee, to allocate £447,000 from the Council's Change Fund to support a review of care provision across complex care services.

Transport Development Funding

The committee agreed to allocate up to £250,000 from the Corporate Change Fund to support the development of transport across the region. This decision followed a request from the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, which sought funding to progress actions agreed by the Full Council on 26 June and 11 August 2025. The funding will support investment in specialist personnel and contractor support to develop transport initiatives.

Lobbying Framework

The committee agreed to adopt the Dumfries and Galloway Council Lobbying Framework, as detailed in the appendix to the report. The framework provides guidance on planning, reporting, and evaluating lobbying activities undertaken by the council. It emphasises the importance of clear messaging, targeted communication, and partnership working. The framework also states that the areas the council lobbies on should be agreed by councillors, and based on council positions.

Communications Strategy 2025-2028

The committee agreed to adopt the Dumfries and Galloway Council Communications Strategy 2025–2028, which will serve as the guiding framework for all internal and external communications across the council. The strategy aims to ensure that communications are clear, trusted, and people-first, aligning with the council's strategic principles. Key priorities include strengthening digital communications, consistent branding, and improved internal communication.

The committee also noted the Priority Communications Initiatives/Campaigns for 2025/26, which align communications activity with the council's top priorities in the Council Plan Delivery Plan. These initiatives include supporting the council budget process, promoting election communications, and driving regeneration projects' awareness.

Procurement Annual Report

The committee agreed to the content of the Procurement Annual Report for Financial Year 2024/25 and approved its publication on the council's website, as required by the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014². The report provides an overview of the council's procurement activity during the last financial year and highlights improvements in procurement activities, including local economic growth, fair work practices, and community benefit delivery.

Procurement and Commissioning Performance Update

The committee noted the content of the Procurement and Commissioning Performance Update for quarter one of Financial Year 2025/26. The report highlighted that 71 community benefits were delivered during the reporting period, and 95.83% of procurement spend was matched to a compliant contract.

ICT/Business Systems Asset Class Capital Programme

The committee noted the ICT/Business Systems Asset Class Programme progress for 2025/26, as well as key project updates. The ICT Asset Programme focuses on providing an enabling digital infrastructure, improving the security of the ICT environment, and replacing outdated devices and infrastructure.

Outside Bodies

The committee noted the information detailed in the appendix to the Outside Bodies ECS report as part of the 2024-25 Annual Review of Outside Bodies. They also agreed that Councillor Carolyne Wilson and Councillor Ivor Hyslop (substitute) remain as the appointments to the Scotland Excel Joint Committee.

Previous Minutes

The committee approved the minutes of the Ad Hoc Crichton Trust Sub Committee meeting of 4 June 2025 and noted the minute of the previous meeting of 17 June 2025.

Declarations of Interest

Several councillors declared connections to the Integration Joint Board, South of Scotland Transport Partnership, and COSLA³, but determined that these did not amount to interests and remained in the meeting during consideration of the relevant items.