It might be a good idea to hear from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and see how we can sort out the position with local authorities. In Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, we seem to have a lot of problems. The issue is not being kicked into the long grass, but perhaps practical measures that are being taken are not helping at all. It might be a good idea to take a wider view of local authorities and to see whether COSLA would be happy to speak to us.
We will send the letter now and we will bring them in after recess. Is that agreed?
Members indicated agreement.
I echo those views. I am very disappointed that we are talking about the possibility of a further delay of two years when I thought that it had been widely agreed that more sites are needed. I know that the issue is sensitive, but the situation is incredibly disappointing.
The frustration with the response is that there are no timeframes. I am pleased that we will ask about that, because we have given the Government long enough to see what meaningful engagement will take place. The Minority Ethnic Carers of People Project has highlighted that there are no Gypsy Travellers on the Gypsy Traveller working group, which is incredible. I do not see how the Government, COSLA or anyone can think that that is good and meaningful. It is a slap in the face to all those who worked on both reports and gave evidence to the committee. It is shocking that we are going down the same path as has been taken in the past decade.
The response gives an update on hand-held records but gives no information on why, because some people said that the proposal would not work, it will not happen. Who are those people? What was the meaningful engagement? Were both sides of the argument listened to? There is no evidence.
The response refers to the Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill, which has now been enacted. When will we use that? What are the timeframes? The Government speaks about the bill coming forward and about what it hopes to do, but the act is now in place. The act has just been passed, so we would not expect it to have brought about great changes yet, but what will be the timeframes for using it? It should not be used simply as a headline.
I was entertained by John Mason’s comment about two years being an unacceptable timescale. Two years would be the blink of an eye in relation to how the issue has been dealt with until now.
A serious problem is highlighted by the response and what has gone before it for the whole time that the Parliament has existed and possibly before that. The desire is to follow the accepted route of consulting and including people and doing all that. We have been round the circle so often that it has become clear that that is not working. Leadership is needed. We need to encourage those who are in a position to demonstrate leadership to do so. That will involve a timescale, which we need to try to set.
I would like a minister to allow the issue to go to the top of their in-tray and stay there for a while, rather than be buried. I understand that Shona Robison is now the relevant cabinet secretary. She has a number of responsibilities, but the Commonwealth games will soon be over. I would like to challenge her to make Gypsy Travellers her next priority.
I agree with that sentiment. As well as bringing COSLA here, we should hear from the cabinet secretary. As with all things on the timetable, that will have to happen in the autumn. There would be value in announcing that invitation well in advance, so that it is in her diary and that of COSLA and so that it provides a focus for achieving something before then, so that they can come to the committee and point to at least some movement in their areas of responsibility.
Would members be happy if we initially wrote to ask the Government and COSLA for details of their timelines before bringing them in to speak to us?
Members indicated agreement.
Agenda item 3 is consideration of the Scottish Government’s response to our “Gypsy/Travellers and Care” and “Where Gypsy/Travellers Live” inquiry reports. We will also consider correspondence from the stakeholders, which is contained in paper 3.
We are asked to discuss whether we want to request the Scottish Government to propose timelines for the working groups, and whether to request further information on the proposed framework for Gypsy Traveller accommodation. We are also asked to consider at a later date whether to seek evidence from working groups and stakeholders on proposed timelines. Does anyone want to comment?
My frustration about this issue knows no bounds, so I will be very brief. We will find it a challenge to get any meaningful engagement from some of the stakeholders who are sick to death of being asked questions, giving answers and then being ignored. I would therefore encourage some genuine action from the people who have received the report, because nothing has changed; attitudes have not changed at all.
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