Question reference: S5W-10529
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 31 July 2017
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Current status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 16 August 2017
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-01184 by Angela Constance on 28 June 2017, what steps are being taken to (a) identify and (b) establish suitable Gypsy/Traveller sites to assist this group to integrate into communities and wider society.
Answer
Local authorities have a statutory duty to produce a Local Housing Strategy that sets out their strategy, priorities and plans for delivering housing and related services. Strategies should include plans for meeting any Gypsy/Traveller housing needs in an authority’s area. Where necessary, authorities should provide Gypsy/Traveller sites in line with their strategies.
The Scottish Government recognises the contribution that Scotland’s Gypsy/Traveller communities have made to our national life. It will publish a strategic programme of work in Autumn 2017, which will describe all the relevant policies across the Scottish Government that help to secure improved outcomes for Gypsy/Travellers.