Glasgow hosted almost 700 marches in four years

It comes after a Scottish Government report on processions said there are “significant pressures” on the city council in dealing with the events amid “considerable tensions.”

Among the processions the council was notified about last year, there were 122 from the Orange Order, 21 from the Apprentice Boys of Derry, 14 from the Black Institute, seven Republican marches and 49 described as ‘other.’’

A council report due to go in front of the well-being, equalities, culture, engagement and city policy committee next week listed 695 parades that have taken place over the last four years. See below for the full list.

Last year 94 occurred in the Anderston, City and Yorkhill ward, 39 in Calton, 28 in Govan and 19 in Partick East, Kelvindale.

The council is waiting on a report from the Scottish Government action group on processions and Holyrood guidance before concluding a review of its own policy and code of conduct.

The council report said: “While the vast majority of processions pass without difficulty and in compliance with the requirements set out in the code of conduct, it is acknowledged that in a small number of cases there have been complaints and concerns regarding the conduct of participants or followers.

It added: “It is also recognised that there are a number of challenges to the city posed by processions, which include disruption to public transport and traffic flow, particularly where the procession passes through the city centre, as well as disruption to businesses, retail and tourism.”

The Scottish Government independent working group report on processions set out 18 recommendations last year.

The report said there is the potential for the processions committee in Glasgow to involve “independent civic actors.”

The Scottish Government report said it “is very clear is that whilst there are considerable tensions over the facilitation of processions in some areas, most particularly Glasgow, there are other areas where there are few if any problems.”

It added: “But there are some very significant issues in Glasgow and surrounding areas that arise from long-standing issues around sectarianism and a football sub-culture in the city into which issues of the future of Scotland and Brexit have fed. We have made it clear that divisions that exist in Scotland are not the same, not as deep, as those in Northern Ireland but there are some indications of increased political antagonism damaging social cohesion.”

The consultation on the impact of processions has been carried out in the city.

The council must respect the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, as outlined in the European Convention on Human Rights.

Number of procession notifications submitted to the council in the last four years;

ORGANISATION 2019/2020 – 2020/2021 – 2021/2022 – 2022/2023

• Orange Order 145, 0, 77, 122
• Apprentice Boys of Derry 29, 0, 12, 21
• Black Institute 23, 0, 3, 14
• Republican Marches 13, 0, 7, 7
• Trade Union 2 , 0, 1, 3
• Other 79, 0, 38, 49
• Bands 12, 0, 11, 10
• Funeral 7, 0, 3, 7
• Totals 310, 0, 152, 233