A bid to win city status from Dumfries has provoked a mixed reaction.
The council is considering whether to enter a competition being held to grant city status to a town as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations next year.
And members will be asked whether or not to push on with the process, which can only be taken forward by the local authority, at Thursday’s full council meeting.
A report warns that feedback has been “mixed” although claims the majority has been “positive”.
Officials believe city status could benefit the whole region and simply entering – which will cost nothing – will provide opportunities.
The report’s authors – policy officer Josef Coombey and community planning and engagement manager Liz Manson – also believe there is a geographic gap for a city in the south of Scotland.
They believe the “timing feels right” and it would “give our young people a stronger identity for the future”.
Concerns raised include a fear that Dumfries can’t compete with the size and facilities of recognised cities and the possibility of resources being diverted from the coronavirus recovery.
The report says there has been a positive response from Dumfries Provost Tracey Little and the leaders of some political groups.
Officials say they have held discussions with councils from Inverness, Stirling and Perth, who were previously successful in securing city status.
They acknowledge that it is “difficult to attribute directly the positive developments” city status has produced, but believe “there have been benefits for the new city and the surrounding areas in relation to increased confidence, business and community activity and civic pride since their entry was successful.”
The report adds: “Widespread, unified and vocal leadership from all sectors was seen to be a key factor in their success.”
A bid would have to be submitted by the deadline of December 8.
