A NEW policy for dealing with unruly people is to be revealed to Dumfries and Galloway councillors this week.

The council, which covers Kirkconnel, Kelloholm and Sanquhar, says it is committed to dealing fairly, consistently and appropriately with service users.

however, there are occasions when people have become aggressive and abusive and the council has a duty of care to its employees.

At the meeting of Policy and Resources committee this Friday, Members will be asked to approve a new Unacceptable Action Policy for the Council.

The aim of the policy is to identify behaviours or actions that Dumfries and Galloway Councils deems to be unacceptable in nature, to outline the Council’s procedures for responding to such actions of behaviours, and, where possible, the policy will be used to help seek resolution which is in the best interests of the Council, the individual and the wider community.

Council Leader, Ronnie Nicholson, said: “Our Council is committed to operating openly and transparently. This requires us to deal fairly, consistently and appropriately with all of our service users.

“Unfortunately, in a small number of cases there are occasions when the actions of individuals become unacceptable and, while the Council is committed to ensuring that customers are heard, understood and respected, staff have the same rights.

“It is acceptable that there may be occasions when an individual is forceful, determined or even angry and this is not considered to be unacceptable. What is considered to be unacceptable, however, is the use of aggressive or abusive behaviour, placing unreasonable demands or being unreasonably persistent when an answer is not to their satisfaction. The Council requires, therefore, to have a policy which sets out what is deemed to be unacceptable and how the Council will react, not only for the guidance of officers, but also the public.”