Councillor seeks better facilities for Travellers

Call for improvements for groups amid fears of second wave of coronavirus

A scheme which will allow Travellers to stay on Perth and Kinross Councilowned land for a limited time is due to relaunch next month.

The negotiated stopping places pilot was approved last year but its implementation has been stalled by Covid-19. It would give Travellers a right to occupy pre-agreed, council owned sites for a period of 28 days.

Calls for better communication between the council and Travellers in order to protect people from coronavirus have been made after a camp arrived in Perth earlier this week.

A spokesperson for the group said they wanted the council to move them to a safer location with electricity and toilet facilities.

Perth City Centre’s Lib Dem councillor Peter Barrett, who is a member of the national Negotiated Stopping Advisory group, believes Traveller communities arriving in the region need access to better facilities, especially during the current pandemic.

Mr Barrett said: “Given the predictions of a second wave of the coronavirus it is vital that there is more sensitive and better engagement between council and health services and the Gypsy Traveller community.

“That means providing safe and sanitary toilet facilities, access to clean water, domestic and household waste collection plus engagement with a range of education, children’s and family services, as well as having conversations about suitable site locations and facilities.

“This is the approach that Perth and Kinross have adopted even in advance of the start of the negotiated stopping pilot as it is the right thing to do.”

Mr Barrett told The Courier the scheme was meant to have been launched towards the end of last year and was again interrupted by Covid-19.

He said: “Revised guidance was issued by the Scottish Government on council’s response to temporary Gypsy Traveller encampments.

“The council has been following that guidance to provide better supports.”

The Courier spoke to the Traveller community when they arrived, with a spokesperson for the group saying they were unaware of the scheme.

A council spokesperson said: “We continue to work alongside Cosla and the Scottish Government as part of a national Negotiated Stopping pilot, which we are continuing to progress.”

Picture: Kim Cessford. Caravans arrived at the industrial estate on Arran Road in North Muirton earlier this week.