Gypsy-Travellers 'unwilling to interact', according to official report - Scotland

From the Daily Record

BARRIERS between Gypsy-Travellers and "settled" communities are likely to remain because of an unwillingness to interact, MSPs have been told.

COMMUNITY council leaders took their concerns to politicians investigating the problem, particularly around unauthorised sites across Scotland.

They said attempts to engage Gypsy-Travellers in problem areas had come to nothing and said there is local anger because of mess left behind.

In other places, where established groups or well-managed sites exist, fewer problems - if any - were described.

Five community councillors, from Mid Argyll, Aberdeen, Perthshire, East Lothian and South Ayrshire, appeared before Holyrood's Equal Opportunities Committee.

Christopher Ahern, chairman of North Muirton Community Council, Perthshire, said locals avoid sites when they are occupied.

"The site we have a main problem with is by the side of a footpath," he said.

"When they're there, nobody goes on it. Nobody take their dogs for a walk along the river.

"The local youth football team tends to sort of move away because they're on part of the ground where they play football.

"I don't think they want to interact. I don't think either community wants to."

Despite this, attempts have been made to set up forums but none have been attended by Gypsy-Travellers.

James Brownhill, vice chairman of Nigg Community Council in Aberdeen, said: "As far as approaching and sitting down with them, that hasn't worked for us.

"I, personally, would be very apprehensive about going into an unauthorised Gypsy-Traveller encampment."

Sheila Chambers, vice chairman of Cockenzie and Port Seton Community Council, highlighted local feedback about mess left in unauthorised sites.

"Speaking to a number of people in East Lothian, there are many who recognise and respect that Travellers have a different way of life, a different culture," she said.

"There is a very strong feeling that the respect is not mutual.

"Therefore, they have not got a very good reputation. In particular, it is the mess they leave behind that is worrying.

"This has cost East Lothian Council a considerable sum of money to deal with. Some of the mess is offensive."