The Scottish Government

« Previous | Contents |

Listen

GYPSIES/TRAVELLERS IN SCOTLAND: The Twice-yearly Count - No. 6: July 2004

THE OVERALL PICTURE

The data generated by the twice-yearly counts covering each of the three elements (Council sites, private sites and unauthorised locations) combine to give an overall picture of the numbers of Gypsies/Travellers across Scotland respectively at the summer and winter seasons. As the sequence of count data grows over successive years it becomes possible to get a better picture of consistency or change over time. Figure 4 summarises the pattern for Scotland as a whole for the seven summer counts from 1998 to 2004, together with the mean for the seven years. Previous counts have confirmed differences between summer and winter seasons with lower total numbers in winter when there is less mobility. As a broad figure, the total number of households in summer have ranged between 2.8 and 4.2 times those for the winter counts around a mean of 3.3 (as there was no winter count in January 1998 this is based on the mean of six counts).

The total estimated July population (583 households) is very close to the seven year summer mean of 586.

Within the overall total, numbers occupying pitches on Council sites were at the low end of the seven year range (290; 290; 248; 270; 281; 256; 259) accounting for less than half of total households (44%) though still close to the mean of 46%.

The number of households using private sites in July 2004 was in the middle of the range (158; 76; 180; 198; 131; 117; 146), making up a quarter of all households (25%).

Numbers on unauthorised locations were at the higher end of the range within the same period (156; 154; 161; 168; 202; 186; 178).

Table 9 summarises, for July 2004, the numbers of households generated in each Council for each of the three elements of the count: Council and private sites and unauthorised encampments. It also provides an estimate of the total number of people that these represent. These data are then set against their equivalents for July 2003 and 2002.

Given that there appear to be approaching 600 Gypsy/Traveller households 'on the road' in Scotland in summer (i.e. excluding housed families), the proportion using each of the three kinds of stopping place is likely to fluctuate from year to year. Nevertheless with a population which is traditionally based on a mobile lifestyle there are likely to be fluctuations both from year to year and, even more between summer and winter. In practice, there may be less overall mobility nowadays, given the number of very long term tenants now living on Council sites.

Despite the opening of two additional Council sites in the past two or three years, two sites have been permanently lost in North Lanarkshire while the Renfrewshire site remains closed on a long term basis. This has reduced the total pitches available for letting, probably contributing in part to the reduction in the Council site share of the total population. However, perhaps of more concern has been the continuing damage and violence referred to in a number of the returns, leading to reduced occupation levels on some sites and even to complete vacation of others, some of which continue to remain empty. These factors in turn have probably contributed to the increased use of private sites since 2002 and the continuing high proportions of those preferring to take their chance on unauthorised encampments particularly during the summer months, at least in the short term.

The currently estimated summer total of 600 households, amounting to almost 2000 people, is lower than the figures estimated in the one-off national count undertaken in 1992. That it is based on a series of counts undertaken on a consistent basis over a seven year period, all of which generated figures within a broadly similar range, lends added weight to its reliability within the framework of its remit.

Although elements of unrest continue to be referred to within these communities, most sites continue to operate effectively, many with high tenancy levels and continuance of tenants. These more positive aspects are reflected in two comments made by the managers of contrasting sites, the first a large and long established urban site.

'The site is full and very peaceful with a healthy waiting list; we are still regarded as a safe site. My incident and repairs file has been little used in the past six months. Yes, we do get problems but the influx of Christian families has made the management of the site easier.'

…and the second a small rural site…

'All great here.'

Research Consultancy Services, October 2004

Table 9 - Numbers by location category for summer counts from July 2002 to July 2004

This Table provides a breakdown for each Council. For each count these are shown in terms of the households on each Council's official site(s) (Col. A); households* (both short-stay and long-stay) on privately-owned site (Col. B); and households * recorded on unauthorised locations (Col. C); together with a total for all three categories (Col.D).

For clarity, the table is ranked in terms of level of Council provision.

« Previous | Contents |