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Dumfries and Galloway
Dumfries
and Galloway is:
 The third largest area in Scotland , with 6,425 sq. km, and forms the South West Corner of Scotland.
Highly rural, one of the most sparsely populated areas in Europe ; agricultural and forestry are the dominant land uses.
Dispersed settlement pattern, with small towns and villages.
The population in 2002 was 147,310 which is projected to decline slightly (7.2%) over the next 10 - 15 years. There are a high proportion of people over retirement age.
There is a continuing out- migration of young people between the ages of 15 and 24 (1300 in 2002) and in-migration of older people (1000 in 2002).
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Transport
The A75 Gretna/Stranraer Euroroute connects nearly 50% of Dumfries and Galloway 's population. It is the road link to the Stranraer/Cairnryan ferry terminals, one of the principal ferry links to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland . The east of the region is located within easy reach of the M74/M6.
Dependent upon road transport; there is a need to improve the standard of transport infrastructure.
Car ownership is an essential item of expenditure. This reflects the area's remoteness and peripherality, and dependence on the car for access to service and employment.
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The
Economy of Dumfries and Galloway is:
Dependent upon a number of key sectors:
 Agriculture- Food
- Forestry
- Manufacturing
- Tourism
- Ferry
Services and the
- Public
Sector
There are more than 7,000 businesses operating in the region, four out of ten in land based activities and three out of ten in distribution (including retail, wholesale and transport) and hospitality.
 In 2001 Gross Value Added in the region was £1.59 billion. Thsi represents income generated of £10,750 per inhabitant, compared to the Scottish average of £13,700, or 78.6%.
Unemployment levels are at their lowest for over 20 years There were 2035 registered as unemployed in September 2004.However there are still pockets of high unemployment in Northwest Dumfries, Stranraer North and Kirkconnel. These areas also feature in the top 10% of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.
Wages and household income levels are amongst the lowest in Scotland and the UK at 92% of the Scottish average. The average gross wage in the region is £381.60 compared with £436.80 across Scotland .
16.3% of the Dumfries and Galloway workforce are self-employed, compared to a rate of 10.3% in Scotland as a whole.
92% of firms in the region are micro-businesses (employing less than 10 people), reflecting the rural nature of the economy.
Demographics
Forecasts for the region indicate a significant fall in the number of school aged children between 2001 and 2013 of around 28%.
 Population forecasts indicate a reduction of 38% in the age group 30 to 44, generally the most economically group and an increase of 22% in the population over retirement age.
It is also forecast that the region will have to attract 5000 new workers either through in-migration or inward commuting by 2015.
The implications of the forecasts are significant in terms of not only training and education but in terms of the region's labour force.
The Five Year Economic Development Strategy for the Region 2003 - 2008
The vision for the region is focused on:
- A drive towards a more modern, wealth creation economy, yet still appreciating the importance of traditional industries.
- Civic vibrancy that will be centered on regeneration of Dumfries and Stranraer Waterfront but will also encompass initiatives in towns throughout the region.
- A private sector which is dynamic, more innovative and outward looking.
- The Crichton Campus, an academic resource that attracts funding and expertise in specialisms with a modern economic relevance.
- A lifestyle portfolio that will attract and retain people of caliber reflecting a wide diversity of talent.
The success of the strategy will be measured in terms of its impact on three key challenges:
- Demographic Change.
- Lack of Diversity, Critical Mass and Capacity.
- Low Levels of Productivity.
Six interventions encompassing 21 projects have been identified to address these challenges as follows:
Enterprise Enablers
Provision of wide range of services to support local business
Key account management - one to one services by the local enterprise company to key local businesses
Creation of a Trade Development Centre
Strategic Regeneration
 Dumfries as regional capital
Wigtownshire regeneration
Stranraer Waterfront
Chapelcross, Gretna, Lockerbie and Annan Corridor
Capital Construction Projects - Schools PPP and Housing Stock Transfer
Added Value
Development of Forestry, Food Chain, Tourism and Energy Sectors
Inward Investment
Projects which attract new companies to the area
Infrastructure
M74/Ireland Gateway
Broadband Connectivity
Property Physical Development
Human Capital
Modern Apprenticeships and Vocational Skills
Academia
Workforce Development
Ageing Population Added Value
Attracting New People to the Area
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Quality
of Life
Dumfries and Galloway has:
- A
distinctive cultural heritage which gives this part of Scotland
its own unique character.
- Strong
sense of community and highly active voluntary sector.
- High
quality built and natural heritage, including air, water,
landscape and wildlife, the importance of which is recognised
at a local, national and international level.
- The
great variety of landscapes are associated with the long
coastline backed by coastal plains rising into the extensive
hill masses of the Southern Uplands.
- The region benefits from a wide range of arts and culture activities. There are vibrant theatre companies in Dumfries, Castle Douglas, Moffat and Stranraer as well as a year-round programme of festivals and events across the region.
- A low crime rate.
- A wide range of sport and leisure activities including sailing, walking, cycling, golfing and horse riding.
- Good value for money of property.
- The region is
renowned for the quality of its education. The number of pupils who achieve Standard and Higher Grades is consistently higher than the national average.
- Access to
Higher and Further Education at the Crichton Campus, Dumfries through Glasgow and Paisley Universities, Bell College of Nursing and Dumfries and Galloway College. Also Barony College of Agriculture and Forestry at Parkgate, near Dumfries.
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