Gypsy/Travellers call for input to sites - Scotland

From the BBC

Representatives from the Gypsy/Traveller community told the Equal Opportunities Committee they should be involved in the decision making process to decide where transit camps were put.

The committee was continuing its 'Where Gypsy/Travellers Live' inquiry on 7 February 2013.

Iona Burke, who works with Article 12 to promote young people's rights, said that when it came to planning camps "I think Gypsy/Travellers should be involved a lot more and know their rights."

Fiona Townsley told MSPs that a number of traditional sites were now blocked off and called for these to be opened up and provided with a range facilities.

Charlene Macdonald pointed out councils "would save a lot of money and hassle if they just got travellers input on where the sites are built from the start".

Michelle Lloyd from MECOPP added what Gypsy/Travellers wanted was no different to any that of any other community.

The committee then discussed the negative media coverage given to the Gypsy/Traveller community.

Katrina Stewart said she would "love to read something nice just once" in the press but it never happened.

Media coverage was roundly condemned by most witnesses during the discussion.

Lizzie Johnstone told the committee it went beyond the media saying programmes like 'My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding' created a "bad impression for us" and there were a variety of different ways negatives could impact on the community.

"We talk to the papers, they just turn it round to suit themselves", added Susan Townsley.

Tenancy agreements were welcomed with Fiona Townsley saying: "That is where some of the anti-social behaviour comes from because no-one knows what they are allowed to do", and that some council's seem to "do what they want and do not stick to the tenancy agreement".

MSPs took evidence from Iona Burke; Michelle Foy; Betty Irvine; Michelle Lloyd from MECOPP; Charlene MacDonald; Georgia McCann; Katrina Stewart; Charlene MacDonald; Lizzie Johnstone; Georgina McCann; Edith Townsley; Fiona Townsley; Susan Townsley and Christine Ward.

At the end of last year Professor Kay Hampton from the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) told the committee Scotland needed consistency of service provision for Gypsy/Travellers, as at the moment some sites provided are "quite shocking" for the 21st century with sanitation more like a third world country.

Professor Hampton called for mapping to provide a real insight into where there were gaps in provision, adding a "national strategy on this would be very useful"