Accommodation
There are currently 32 official council owned Gypsies/Travellers Sites in Scotland. 29 of these are open all year and 3 are available during the summer only.
In June 2005 the Scottish Executive announced a new three year site development grant. £1m was made available in each of the 3 financial years 2005-06 to 2007-08. Local authorities were invited to bid for grant for both improvements to existing local authority sites and for new residential or transit sites. Local authorities were asked to consult with the resident Gypsy/Traveller community before submitting applications; to certify that any grant claimed for Gypsies/Travellers sites has been spent on the projects submitted and approved; and to report on the project outcome.
The applications were required to demonstrate that objectives and outcome of the project were designed to meet one or more of the following criteria:
- to extend significantly the useful life of the site
- to bring unused or underused sites back into full use
- to improve the quality of life of residents by modernising or improving sub-standard facilities
- to provide good quality, sustainable facilities on any new residential sites
Where major refurbishment work was proposed, local authorities were asked to provide evidence to show that site residents had been consulted as to timing, potential disruption and any necessary relocation arrangements. Where work impacted on neighbouring properties, interested parties were consulted on the proposal. Any necessary decanting arrangements were required be agreed before applications were approved.
The applications were also required to include the authority's arrangements for management of the site.
In all 22 local authorities applied for Site grant and 18 bids were approved. No applications were received to build new sites therefore all funding was awarded for the for the upgrading of existing sites.