Dumfries and Galloway Council will consider an updated budget process and timetable at a meeting of Full Council on Thursday 25 June.
The report asks councillors to agree a revised approach for developing future budgets covering the period 2027/28 to 2029/30.
The proposals focus on how the council plans for future budgets over a longer period. They are not about revisiting the budget already agreed for 2026/27, and they do not set out new savings decisions.
If agreed, the updated process would link budget planning with a three-year transformation and change programme. This would support earlier planning, stronger scrutiny and clearer oversight of activity across the council.
The report proposes a timetable involving Full Council, service committees, political groups, Budget Panel, the Council Management Team, officers, staff and Trade Unions at key stages.
It also sets out how the council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy would be updated alongside the development of budget proposals.
The approach reflects recent findings from the Accounts Commission, which has highlighted the importance of transformation in helping councils respond to financial challenges while continuing to deliver services for communities.
Under the proposed timetable, officers would prepare a detailed transformation and change programme over summer. Further reports would then be brought to Full Council in September and December this year.
Service committees would also receive updates on relevant transformation and change projects within their areas of responsibility, supporting scrutiny and decision-making throughout the year.
Dumfries and Galloway Council Convener, Councillor Tracey Little, said:
“This report is about the future budget process and how the council plans responsibly for the years ahead. It is not about revisiting the budget that has already been presented and agreed.
“The proposed approach would give councillors, committees, officers, staff and communities a clearer and more structured way to consider change, financial sustainability and service delivery over a three-year period.
“Like all councils, Dumfries and Galloway Council faces significant financial challenges. Planning earlier, aligning transformation activity with financial strategy, and ensuring strong scrutiny will help support informed decisions.
“Any specific proposals for service change would still need to be properly developed, assessed, reported and consulted on before decisions are made.”
If approved, the updated process would see the council’s 2027/28 revenue budget and council tax considered by Full Council in February 2027, alongside a three-year revenue budget plan covering 2027/28 to 2029/30 and an updated Capital Investment Programme.
The Full Council meeting papers can be viewed on the council’s website at: Agenda for Dumfries and Galloway Council on Thursday, 25th June, 2026, 10.30 am | Dumfries and Galloway Council