Scottish Government

ANNEX 2: PROFILE OF CONSULTEES

7.7 The review involved an extensive consultation exercise with a range of stakeholders to gauge views on the purpose of the Count, the accuracy of data collected, and potential future priorities for the Count in terms of its administration and the range of information collected.

7.8 A primarily web-based survey was undertaken to gauge the experience and views of local authority officers involved in administering the Count, and ScotStat members with a potential interest in outputs from the Count. The survey included a balance of "closed" questions to capture quantitative data and "open" questions giving respondents an opportunity to give a more qualitative response. A total of 30 responses were received.

7.9 Consultation with other local authority officers and individuals within a range of national agencies was undertaken primarily through a series of telephone interviews. One or more individuals from the following agencies participated.

• Scottish Government Rural Affairs Dept;
• Scottish Government Equalities Unit;
• Centre for Housing Market Analysis;
• General Registrar of Scotland;
• Equality and Human Rights Commission;
• Convention of Scottish Local Authorities;
• Strathclyde, Grampian and Lothian & Borders Police (via ACPOS);
• Oxfam;
• Scottish Housing Best Value Network;
• Scottish Traveller Education Programme;
• Showman's Guild (Scottish Section); and
• Gypsy/Traveller Representatives.

7.10 The consultation exercise also included the views of Gypsies/Travellers through a combination of in-person and telephone interviews. This work sought to ensure a broad range of individuals were given the opportunity to contribute to the review, in terms of geographic location and living circumstances. Particular effort was made to reach 'hard to reach' Gypsies/Travellers on private sites, unauthorised encampments or in housing. In light of the timing of the research during winter months it was difficult to anticipate the number of families likely to be available to take part in the review.

7.11 A total of 44 Gypsies/Travellers participated in the research across six local authority areas selected to ensure a balance of areas in terms of type of Gypsy/Traveller accommodation provision and nature of area (eg urban, rural). The tables over the page below provide an overview of Gypsy/Traveller participants.

Profile of Gypsy/Traveller consultees