Local Authorities Guide: Dumfries and Galloway Council

The following article is a Q&A with SNP Stephen Thompson, leader of Dumfries and Galloway council. 

The Public Sector Reform strategy is a key mission of the Scottish Government, what does that mean for you and your council?

Unified purpose, partnership working, and shared responsibility are essential to creating sustainable, preventative public services.

Are there particular innovative or collaborative ways of working that you can point to in your own council as examples of how you can do more with less?

The Dumfries and Galloway Active Lives Pathway, winner of the 2025 Campbell Christie Public Service Reform Award, demonstrates the power of prevention, and partnership working across organisational boundaries, and person centred support - delivering both human and economic value, with over £6.47 NHS return for every £1 invested. Dumfries and Galloway Council neighbourhood services and education have also made significant improvements by digitising maintenance schedules, streamlining school meal pre-ordering and payment, and reducing food waste, queues, cash-handling and staff time spent on administrative processes. By adopting AI tools and improved digital workflows, social work services are reducing administrative burdens, freeing up officers and social care staff to focus on meaningful engagement, strengths based practice and better outcomes for local people.

AI is held up as a potential game changer in terms of public service delivery but on the ground, what contribution is digital technology making to your own approach?

Dumfries and Galloway is leading Scotland in the digital delivery of senior phase qualifications, with @South West Connects supporting learners across four local authorities. 

The CARe Zone Collaborative, the first of its kind in Scotland, unites local and national partners to improve survival from out of hospital cardiac arrest. 

From Microsoft Power BI adoption across services, to AI road inspection vehicles, robotic cleaning exploration, the planning hub, and shared service arrangements, the council is applying digital innovation to try and manage demand, reduce administrative effort, and improve service quality.

What counts as a good day in the office?

A problem is solved, a decision is unblocked, or a piece of work progresses well. Ending the day with clarity and not clutter.

What keeps you awake at night?

The next episode.

How do you describe what you do as council leader to a stranger?

The role is about trying to listen and understand what matters to people, and trying to work with others to align our efforts and resources so we can solve shared problems and bring improvements that benefit the lives of people who live here.  

This article appears in Holyrood's Local Authorities Guide 2026.