Download REHIS Journal 20/2 (Summer 2008) - The Royal ...

Environmental Health ScotlandGrampian Fire and Rescue. Joan had previouslybeen employed as a Diversity Officer withinGrampian Police and had considerableexperience in dealing with the travellingcommunity. In short, Joan suggested that the vastmajority of problems were caused by a small minorityof gypsy travellers and urged local authorities to workwith the gypsy community as a whole to resolveproblems; although she did concede that there wasno easy solution to the variety of problems which areencountered.The afternoon session of the final day provided anopportunity for all groups involved in LandlordRegistration to have their say. Alison Byrne fromthe Scottish Government provided clarification onsome areas of concern and also advised that there wasto be a review of the legislation this year. The localauthority view was provided by Ian Blair of InverclydeCouncil, and John Blackwood from the ScottishAssociation of Landlords was able to provide asummary of how the landlords themselves viewedthe new legislation. In summary, John was fullysupportive of the registration scheme but highlightedthe teething problems which had affected bothlocal authorities and landlords at the start. The finalsession of the course covered the issue of migrantworkers. Tom McCrossan of the Gangmasters LicensingAuthority (GLA) provided an overview of the roleof the GLA. Essentially, the main purpose of theGLA is to ensure the welfare of workers, primarilymigrant workers. At present the GLA only hasauthority over those persons employed within thefood industry, although there is a suggestion thattheir remit will be extended to include other workingenvironments and that they will be included underthe umbrella of the Health and Safety Executive.In conclusion, Tom encouraged all local authoritiesto work closely with the GLA where they hadconcerns over the welfare of migrant workers. Apractical application of this was demonstrated bythe final speaker of the day - Craig Easson of AngusCouncil. Craig covered the investigation undertakenfollowing a fatality of a migrant worker within acaravan in April 2007, and demonstrated the levelof partnership working required to ensure suitableand safe living standards are provided for migrantworkers. In addition, he also recommended that, toaddress the problems of living accommodation forseasonal workers, local authorities should apply for anexemption to ensure that caravans located on farmland and used by farm workers come under the termsof the Caravan Sites and Control of DevelopmentAct 1960, and will therefore require to be licensed.In conclusion, the two day course provided the delegateswith details of new and topical legislation and practicalapplications of how they could be implemented.The feedback received from those who attended hasbeen very positive and, in light of this, the event isscheduled to return in spring 2010. By this time theprovisions of the new Public Health Bill and Housing(Scotland) Act will have been implemented andit is anticipated that this will once again provide themain schedule for the day(s). Finally, should anyperson wish a copy of any of the presentationsgiven during this year’s event, they are available bycontacting Kevin Freeman at the REHIS office.***REHIS AnnualPresentation of Awardswill take place on the evening ofWednesday 19 November 2008Venue to be announcedREHIS Annual General Meetingwill take place on the afternoonof Thursday 20 November 2008Venue to be announced32