Scottish housing watchdog finds “serious failings” at two Perth and Kinross Council Gypsy Traveller sites

The Scottish Housing Regulator has identified serious failings by Perth and Kinross Council in its management of Double Dykes and Bobbins Mill Gypsy Traveller sites, following two separate investigations. 

Residents from both sites complained to the Regulator due to their concerns about poor accommodation standards, and the way that Perth and Kinross Council engaged with them. 

After completing their investigations, the Regulator found that on both sites, the Council had failed to meet its obligations under the Scottish Social Housing Charter and that the sites did not meet the Scottish Government’s Minimum Site Standards. 

This is not the first time the Regulator has warned Scottish Councils over serious failings on their Traveller sites.

Near the end of last year Fife Council was warned by the Regulator over its ongoing refurbishment of Tarvit Mill Gypsy Traveller site and its treatment of the residents. The residents of all three sights have been supported by the Scottish charity Making Rights Real.

Clare MacGillivray, Director of Making Rights Real, welcomed the investigation. 

“We have been working alongside residents for the past three years about their human rights concerns. In the last year, we have supported Gypsy Traveller communities on three different sites to raise their complaints with the Scottish Housing Regulator,” said MacGillivray. 

“In all three cases, their complaints have been upheld. This is hugely concerning and speaks to a systemic failure to meet the basic housing needs of Gypsy Travellers. This is a wake-up call for landlords that tenants’ rights must be upheld,” she added.   

“We know that other Gypsy Traveller communities are concerned about the standard of accommodation on local authority run sites, and we hope more will now come forward with their concerns to the Regulator.” 

Anastasia Crickley, Chair of Minority Rights Group International and former Chair of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination said 

“I was pleased to see the Scottish Housing Regulator has made its decision about Serious Concerns raised by Gypsy Travellers in Perth and Pitlochry around the standard of accommodation and right to participate. I have seen these conditions over the past three years firsthand having been involved with the group’s human rights monitoring work. I commend the courage and bravery of the Travellers who have spoken out, and for the support from Making Rights Real.”   

Fife Council is now engaging with the Regulator and is working constructively to address the residents’ concerns and deliver the necessary improvements, the Regulator has noted.

According to the Regulator, the Council is progressing modernisation and improvement works which include plans to replace residents’ accommodation and other upgrades at the Double Dykes site and it will receive public subsidy from Scottish Government to help achieve this. The Council also has plans to carry out a feasibility study to identify potential future improvements to the Bobbin Mill site.  

George Walker, Chair of the Regulator, said: “Being able to bring serious concerns to us is an important safeguard for tenants where a group of tenants have serious concerns and their landlord has not put this right.

We investigated the serious concerns raised with us at the Double Dykes and Bobbin Mill Gypsy/Traveller sites about the quality of accommodation and poor communication.

We will engage with Perth & Kinross Council as it takes forward the necessary improvements to address the failings at both sites.”

Making Rights Real press release with additional reporting by TT News

(Photograph: The entrance to Double Dykes Gypsy Traveller site in Perth. From Google Maps, date unknown)