New scheme for travellers’ stays launched

A ‘negotiated stopping’ scheme for gypsy/travellers has been launched in Perth and Kinross.

The pilot of the scheme, which follows a model developed in Leeds, was launched by COSLA this week.

Perth and Kinross is leading the pilot along with Moray and East Ayrshire.

Negotiated stopping is an agreement between gyspy/travellers and local authorities on unauthorised encampments and the length of time they can stay on the land.

The terms of the agreement will vary from council area to council area but generally involves travellers being asked to leave the site clean and not make too much noise. Support and services such as health and education will be offered by the local authority to the travellers, if needed, as well as toilets and waste/rubbish removal.

On Tuesday, September 1 COSLA launched the national pilot of negotiated stopping online.

Lib Dem Perth city centre councillor Peter Barrett is PKC’s equalities convener. The council’s leader of the Lib Dem group delivered the closing speech at the online launch.

Cllr Barrett said: “The negotiating stopping provides a better public health and human rights approach to securing better outcomes for gypsy travellers which respects their traditions and culture when they are shifting across the country.

Amidst the COVID pandemic it is more vital than ever before that services engage effectively and humanely with gypsy travellers whose lifestyle exposes them to significant risk and difficulties with self-isolation.

“I am pleased that Perth and Kinross Council officers have been in the vanguard of developing negotiated stopping and implementing that approach here.”

The scheme will follow existing national guidance on managing roadside stopping. The guidance includes COVID-19 guidelines advising local authorities to provide services to people staying on encampments and meet the needs of vulnerable groups including children and older people.

Cllr Barrett said: “East Ayrshire, Moray and Perth and Kinross councils will all be formally piloting the new approaches in their areas, which were developed in Leeds and provide practical ways that local authorities, the police, health services and other agencies can provide safe facilities. It has shown to strengthen community relations and improve the efficiency of services.”