Thursday May 21st 2026
West Lothian Council headquarters
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Stuart Sommerville
West Lothian councillors heard a “travellers charter” is going to be difficult to administer given existing regulations.
And one councillor expressed doubts that anything would work to stop disruption.
Labour’s Danny Logue said he had served on a previously set up committee. “It didn’t work then, and I don’t think it will work again,” he told a meeting of the full council.
The council has agreed a framework set up by a working group to deal with unauthorised traveller encampments.
The working group was set up in the wake of several encampments last year – in Linlithgow, Livingston and Broxburn which saw the council paying out thousands of pounds for clean up costs
Initial contact already established at two recent encampments in the county has suggested a reluctance to use specific sites.
There was broad agreement that the working group, set up last September, had been a useful exercise. It helped clarify existing rules and enabled the council to discuss best practice with other local authorities.
Linlithgow Lib Dem, Sally Pattle said “current events” proved how vital the work had been.
In her report to the council depute Chief Executive Dr Elaine Cook said: “The provision of an established code of conduct helps to form the basis of a mutual agreement between West Lothian Council and traveller encampments, helping to highlight what supports and resources can be provided by the council, while in return ensuring that encampments are aware of the same code of conduct that is expected by any other resident within West Lothian.”
Dr Cook added: “It is worth noting that the council has sought to engage with these most recent traveller encampments in an attempt to obtain views and feedback on the proposed framework approach and accompanying mutual agreement.
“Safer Neighbourhood Team officers discussed the proposed framework at two unauthorised encampments, one at Bankton Mains, Murieston, and the other at Xcite Bathgate.
“There were no issues or concerns raised around the concept of the mutual agreement and what this would entail between travellers and the council. Discussions also included the concept of identified safe sites/stopping places. Representatives from both encampments did express some uncertainty around this approach, noting that it does not traditionally align with travelling lifestyles.”
Dr Cook added: “Officers gave reassurance that West Lothian Council recognises the rights of Gypsy/Travellers to practice their chosen lifestyle, including travelling and camping across Scotland.
“It was also highlighted that as a local authority, it was important to balance this alongside the needs of settled communities, with the working group investigating safe and suitable land that could be used by travellers, and that could better accommodate this lifestyle.”
Councillor Angela Doran-Timson, (Conservative) had originally proposed writing to the Scottish Government to demand legal changes to give the council more powers to deal with unauthorised encampments.
That motion had been defeated by alternative proposals from the SNP’s Andrew Miller which led to the working group looking to make better use of existing legislation.
Councillor Doran-Timson said: “The working group has done a great deal of work. However I do have a concern that if measures do not work, what will we do next? I would hope that we could see a change in legislation to give more powers to councils.”
Councillor Miller said: “I think the working group has done a lot of really positive work and progress. I think it is a positive start and a journey worth travelling.”
Councillor Pattle said: “I want to thank all of the officers and other agencies that have come together. It has been a really positive experience and I really value the input by every single person around the table.
“Current events have shown to me just how necessary this piece of work is. We need to look at different ways of working with the travelling community and also the settled community to ensure minimum amount of friction between them, and also any attempt we can to minimise the cost to the council going forward.”
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