The Gypsy/Traveller Sub-Committee was scheduled to convene on Wednesday, 17 September 2025, to address several key issues affecting the Gypsy/Traveller community, including an update on the Local Housing Strategy and a health needs assessment presented by NHS Scotland. The meeting was also scheduled to cover equality duties and the approval of the minute from the previous meeting.

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Health Needs Assessment

A report on the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Health Needs Assessment undertaken by NHS Grampian¹ was scheduled to be presented. The assessment aimed to identify the needs of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities living in and visiting Grampian, and to provide recommendations to improve health outcomes.

The report focused on priority areas outlined in the Improving the Lives of Scotland's Gypsy/Travellers 2: Action Plan 2024-2026, including:

• Screening
• Vaccinations
• Women's health
• Mental health
• Primary care
• Long-term conditions

The report noted that a health day was planned for 20 September 2025, to allow further consultation on the action plan with the community.

Local Housing Strategy - Gypsy/Traveller Action Plan Update

The Sub-Committee was expected to discuss the progress of projects within the Gypsy/Traveller Action Plan, which is part of the current Local Housing Strategy. The Local Housing Strategy - Gypsy Traveller Sub-Committee report included updates on actions under five themes, with key areas including:

• Accommodation and Planning: This included a consultation with the Gypsy/Traveller community to assess future site provision needs, including location preferences and desired facilities. The Scottish Government has advised that future funding for Gypsy/Traveller accommodation will be delivered through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme from 2026/27 onwards.
• Social Security, Work and Combatting Poverty: The Unauthorised Encampment procedure had recently been reviewed, incorporating recommendations from the Negotiated Stopping evaluation[^2]. [^2]: Negotiated Stopping is a scheme that aims to manage unauthorised encampments by providing basic amenities in agreed locations for short periods. To the end of July 2025, five unauthorised encampments had been reported in Aberdeenshire, with the team working with each of the families to ensure that they were aware of formal site provision and offered appropriate support.
• Gypsy/Traveller Officer Group: The Gypsy/Traveller Officer Group, including members from Education, Housing, Environmental Health, Community Learning and Developments, Planning, Corporate Equalities, Social Work, Legal, NHS and Police Scotland, had met regularly to discuss the action plan and review the unauthorised encampment procedure.

The report stated that the Aberdeenshire action plan aligns with the Scottish Government and COSLA joint action plan 'Improving the Lives of Scotland's Gypsy/Travellers' 2 action plan 2024 – 2026' and the Local Housing Strategy 2024- 2029.

The Gypsy/Traveller Sub Committee Action Plan detailed progress on specific actions, including:

• Accommodation and Planning: Reviewing and updating the Site Provision Strategy, identifying suitable land for an additional Gypsy/Traveller site in Central Aberdeenshire, and supporting Gypsy/Travellers requesting assistance with planning applications.
• Education: Promoting access to early years provision, supporting transitions to Secondary Education, and continuing targeted support to schools when requested.
• Health: Working with NHS colleagues on Health Issues in the Community, establishing Community Information Points at Aikey Brae and Greenbanks sites, and engaging with the Minority Ethnic Carers of People Project (MECOPP).
• Social Security, Work and Combatting Poverty: Providing advice, support, and signposting for Gypsy/Travellers, monitoring Gypsy/Traveller encampments, and developing solutions with the Gypsy/Traveller community to provide good quality training and advice to frontline public sector staff.
• Empower Communities, Improve Representation, and Tackle Racism and Discrimination: Combating prejudice against the Gypsy/Traveller community, consulting regularly with Gypsy/Traveller communities on accommodation and services, and involving Gypsy/Travellers in the design and delivery of any new accommodation proposals.

The GypsyTraveller Sub Committee Action Plan IIA noted positive impacts including children's wellbeing and rights, equalities and a fairer Scotland duty impact, addressing health inequalities, sustainability and climate change, and positive contributions to the town centre at Greenbanks.

Public Sector Equality Duty

The committee was asked to consider the Public Sector Equality Duty with specific regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment, and victimisation; advance equality of opportunity; and foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.