'More public say': parades review

Sir John Orr has canvassed many views on the parades issue

Ordinary people should have a greater say in the planning of contentious marches in Scotland.

The claim is one of 38 recommendations made by former chief constable Sir John Orr's parades review.

He says the system for dealing with applications for permission to march needs to be modernised.

Sir John said: "I believe these recommendations will professionalise and improve the way decisions on processions are made in Scotland."

The former head of Strathclyde Police said that there should be more responsibility and accountability for those who wished to march.

In his 300-page report on Monday, he suggested that local authorities should be able to require organisers to take out insurance or provide a "behaviour bond".

The right to march is a powerful visible sign of a robust democracy -but hand in hand with those rights come responsibilities. Cathy Jamieson Justice Minister Key recommendations of review Reaction to the review

The notification period for a march is currently seven days, but Sir John suggests that should be extended to 28 days.

Sir John also wants to see an individual nominated on the day of a march who is responsible for the conduct of bands taking part.

There were 1,712 processions in Scotland in 2003 with policing costs put at £1.5m.

The Scottish Executive has accepted the recommendations in full. Ministers will now consult "quickly" on the recommendations and establish monitoring arrangements which can be implemented once the appropriate legislation is ready.

Ms Jamieson said: "The right to march is a powerful visible sign of a robust democracy. But hand-in-hand with those rights come responsibilities. That is the balance that needs to be struck."

Most of the marches in Scotland involve the Orange Order

Ian Wilson, the grand master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland, said the review had been conducted in a "thorough and professional" manner.

Mr Wilson added that it was right to look at the planning of marches, but decisions needed to be fair and the same criteria used in all cases.

James Slaven, the national organiser for Cairde Na hEireann (Friends of Ireland) support groups, said he broadly welcomed the idea of tighter guidelines.

He added: "It must be pointed out that Republican marches form less than 1% of total marches throughout any year in Scotland."

The Catholic Church also welcomed the proposals.

Monsignor Peter Smith, from the Archdiocese of Glasgow, said: "I think that to have the ability to discuss things in a reasonable way is going to make a big difference."

Sir John divided his recommendations into five categories:

• The period of notice required for a march

• Informing and involving the community

• Decision-making

• Numbers involved and effects on communities

• The cost of policing.

He said: "Once implemented, these arrangements will lead to a fairer, more transparent and inclusive process where decision makers and organisers take their responsibilities seriously and are accountable for their actions.

"This is a process that is appropriate for a multi-cultural Scotland in the 21st century."

The report recommends a beefed up decision-making role for local authorities.

Telephone survey

Cosla, the umbrella body for Scotland's councils, welcomed the report, but called for more resources to implement the changes.

Its president Pat Watters said: "Ministers must provide the necessary resources to implement these recommendations. They must also introduce the legislation councils need to act on community views.

"At present, we can consult until the cows come home, but the law does not allow us to reach a compromise or re-route marches on that basis."

Liberal Democrat MSP Donald Gorrie, who has supported efforts to stamp out sectarianism in Scotland, said he welcomed the executive's commitment to accept all Mr Orr's recommendations.

He added: "It is good to give greater scope and powers for local consultation and decision-making by councils, about the way parades are managed in their area.

"Now the executive, councils, marching organisations, police and local communities will have the tools to create a better system, balancing the rights of free speech with the rights and freedoms of local communities."

There were 361 written responses to the review and a telephone attitude survey of 676 people was carried out.

In addition, Sir John met about 125 people during 45 meetings.

His inquiry also took him to Northern Ireland, where there is a parades commission, set up five years ago to regulate disputes on controversial marches.