Local government in Scotland

Local government in Scotland comprises thirty-two local authorities, commonly referred to as councils. Each council provides public services, including education, social care, waste management, libraries and planning.[1] Councils receive the majority of their funding from the Scottish Government, but operate independently and are accountable to their local electorates.[2] Councils raise additional income via the Council Tax, a locally variable domestic property tax, and Business rates, a non-domestic property tax.[3][4]

Councils are made up of councillors who are directly elected by the residents of the area they represent. Each council area is divided into a number of wards, and three or four councillors are elected for each ward.[1] There are currently 1,226 elected councillors in Scotland.[5]Local elections are normally held every five years and use the single transferable vote electoral system.[1] The most recent election was the 2022 Scottish local elections and the next election will be the 2027 Scottish local elections.

Council administrations typically comprise a group of councillors within the council who are able to command majority support.[6]Minority administrations and majority administrations may be formed.[7] Although coalition administrations are more typical, occasionally a majority administration is formed by a single political party, but this is uncommon due to the proportional voting system used in Scottish local elections.[7] Despite being uncommon on the Scottish mainland, it is possible for independent politicians to form an administration.[6]

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) is an umbrella organisation formed in 1975 to represent the views of Scotland's thirty-two councils to central government.[8]

History

Origins

The history of Scottish local government mainly surrounds involves the counties of Scotland. The counties have their origins in the sheriffdoms or shires over which a sheriff (a contraction of shire reeve) exercised jurisdiction.

Malcolm III appears to have introduced sheriffs as part of a policy of replacing native "Celtic" forms of government with Anglo Saxon and Frenchfeudal structures.[9] This was continued by his sons Edgar, Alexander I and in particular David I. David completed the division of the country into sheriffdoms by the conversion of existing thanedoms.[10][11]

From the seventeenth century the shires started to be used for local administration apart from judicial functions. In 1667 Commissioners of Supply were appointed in each sheriffdom to collect the land tax.[12] The commissioners eventually assumed other duties in the county. In 1858, police forces were established in each county under the Police (Scotland) Act 1857.

As a result of the dual system of local government, burghs (of which there were various types) often had a high degree of autonomy.

Modern history

The Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 abolished the two-tier structure of regions and districts created by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973

Between 1890 and 1975 local government in Scotland was organised with county councils (including four counties of cities) and various lower-level units. Between 1890 and 1929, there were parish councils and town councils, but with the passing of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1929, the functions of parish councils were passed to larger district councils and a distinction was made between large burghs (i.e. those with a population of 20,000 or more) and small burghs. This system was further refined by the passing of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1947.

Effective from 1975, the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 passed by the Conservative government of Edward Heath introduced a system of two-tier local government in Scotland (see Local government areas of Scotland 1973 to 1996), divided between large regional councils and smaller district councils. The only exceptions to this were the three island councils, Western Isles, Shetland and Orkney which had the combined powers of regions and districts. The Conservative government of John Major (1990–1997) decided to abolish this system and merge their powers into new unitary authorities. The new councils vary wildly in size – some are the same as counties, such as Clackmannanshire, some are the same as former districts, such as Inverclyde, and some are the same as the former regions, such as Highland. The changes took effect in 1996 with shadow councillors elected in 1995 to oversee the smooth transition of control.

In 2007, council elections moved to the single transferable vote system, with wards represented by either three or four councillors. The transition has resulted in no uncontested seats and has ended single-party controlled councils.[13]

In 2016, there were ward boundary changes in 25 local authority areas, following the Scottish Government accepting some of the recommendations of Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland.[14]

The Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 and the Scottish Elections (Reform) Act 2020 have given Boundaries Scotland increased flexibility to vary the size of wards. Mainland wards may now have between 2 and 5 councillors, and single councillor wards are permitted where such a ward includes an inhabited island.[15]

Responsibilities

Map of council areas

Governance and administration

Council headquarters of East Ayrshire Council located in the administrative centre of East Ayrshire, Kilmarnock

The power vested in local authorities is administered by elected councillors. There are currently 1,227 councillors,[14] each paid a part-time salary for the undertaking of their duties. In total, there are 32 unitary authorities, the largest being the Glasgow City with more than 600,000 inhabitants, the smallest, Orkney, with just over 20,000 people living there (population of 21,670 in 2015).[18]

Councillors are subject to a Code of Conduct instituted by the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 and enforced by the Standards Commission for Scotland.[19] If a person believes that a councillor has broken the code of conduct they make a complaint to the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland (CESPLS). The Commissioner makes a determination on whether there is a need for an investigation, and then whether or not to refer the matter to the Standards Commission.[20]

Provost

Each council elects a provost from among the members of the council to chair meetings and to act as a figurehead for the area.[21] A council may also elect a depute provost, though this is not required. In the four cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee the provost is called a Lord Provost, whilst in other councils the council may choose another title for their provost or conveners.[21] Most councils use the term 'provost', some use the term 'convener'.

The office of provost or convener is roughly equivalent to that of a mayor in other parts of the United Kingdom. Traditionally these roles are ceremonial and have no significant administrative functions. Lord provosts in the four city councils have the additional duty of acting as Lord Lieutenant for their respective city.

Leader of the Council

Since 2007 each council has been required to designate a "leader of the council" and a "civic head", who receive additional remuneration for holding those roles. The regulations direct that unless a council decides otherwise the leader is the convener and the civic head is the depute convener. In practice, most authorities appoint someone other than the convener as leader of the council, such that the political leader of the council is not also presiding over the debate at council meetings. The convener or provost usually takes the civic head role. The leader of the council is usually the leader of the largest political group, or in a coalition the leader of the largest party in that coalition. The Leader of the Council has no executive or administrative powers designated by statute.[22] Prior to 2007 many authorities recognised the leader of the largest political group or coalition administration as being leader of the council, but there was no legislative basis for the role.

Officers

Officers of a council are administrative, non-political staff of the council. Generally the composition of the council's officers are a matter for the council, but there are a number of statutory officers whose roles are defined by the central government.

The most significant of these officers is the Head of Paid Service, usually titled the Chief Executive. The Chief Executive is similar in function to a city manager, though certain councillors have executive authority and there is no clear division of powers.[23]

There is also a statutory Monitoring Officer, who usually heads the Legal Services division of the council, as well as a Chief Financial Officer.[23]

2022 election results

Summary of the May 2022 Scottish council election results
Party First-preference votes Councils 2017 seats2022 seats
Count Of total (%) Change Count Change Count Of total (%) Count Of total (%) Change
No overall controlN/a27 Decrease2 N/aN/a
SNP633,252 34.1% Increase1.8% 1 Increase1 431 35.1% 453 36.9% Increase22
Labour403,243 21.7% Increase1.6% 1 Increase1 262 21.4% 282 23.0% Increase20
Conservative364,824 19.6% Decrease5.7% 0 Steady276 22.5% 214 17.5% Decrease62
Liberal Democrats159,815 8.6% Increase1.7% 0 Steady67 5.5% 87 7.1% Increase20
Independents156,815 8.4% Decrease2.0% 3 Steady168 13.7% 152 12.4% Decrease15
Green110,791 6.0% Increase1.9% 0 Steady19 1.6% 35 2.9% Increase16
Alba12,335 0.7% 0 Steady0.0% New
Scottish Family6,857 0.4% 0 Steady0.0% New
West Dunbartonshire Community1,462 0.1% 0 Steady1 0.1% Steady
Scottish Socialist1,058 0.1% Increase0.1% 0 Steady0.0% Steady
TUSC1,022 0.1% 0 Steady0.0% Steady
British Unionist859 0.1% 0 Steady1 0.1% Increase1
Rubbish787 0.0% 0 Steady1 0.1% Steady
Independence for Scotland742 0.0% 0 Steady0.0% New
Libertarian698 0.0% 0 Steady0.0% Steady
Freedom Alliance 555 0.0% 0 Steady0.0% New
Volt UK421 0.0% 0 Steady0.0% New
Socialist Labour381 0.0% 0 Steady0.0% Steady
UKIP372 0.0% Decrease0.2% 0 Steady0.0% Steady
Women's Equality228 0.0% 0 Steady0.0% New
Social Democratic222 0.0% 0 Steady0.0% Steady
Sovereignty154 0.0% 0 Steady0.0% New
Communist119 0.0% 0 Steady0.0% New
Pensioner's75 0.0% 0 Steady0.0% New
Vanguard74 0.0% 0 Steady0.0% New
Workers61 0.0% 0 Steady0.0% New
Scottish Eco-Federalist24 0.0% 0 Steady0.0% New
Total 1,889,658 100.0 ±0.0 32 Steady1,223 1,227 1,226 100.00 Steady

Council control

Last updated 11 November 2025.[24]

Council Control Web
Aberdeen CityNOCSNP-LD coalition URL
AberdeenshireNOCCon-LD-ind. coalition URL
AngusNOCSNP-ind. coalition URL
Argyll & ButeNOCLD-Con-ind. coalition URL
ClackmannanshireNOCSNP minority URL
Dumfries & GallowayNOCSNP minority URL
Dundee CitySNP Majority URL
East AyrshireNOCSNP minority URL
East DunbartonshireNOCSNP minority URL
East LothianNOCLab minority URL
East RenfrewshireNOCLab-ind. minority URL
City of EdinburghNOCLab minority URL
FalkirkNOCSNP minority URL
FifeNOCLab minority URL
Glasgow CityNOCSNP minority URLArchived 3 August 2020 at the Wayback Machine
HighlandNOCSNP-ind. coalition URL
InverclydeNOCLab minority URL
MidlothianNOCSNP minority URL
MorayNOCCon minority URL
Na h-Eileanan SiarIndMajority URLArchived 3 August 2020 at the Wayback Machine
North AyrshireNOCSNP minority URL
North LanarkshireNOCLab minority URL
OrkneyInd.Ind-Grn coalition URL
Perth & KinrossNOCSNP minority URL
RenfrewshireNOCSNP minority URL
Scottish BordersNOCCon-ind. coalition URL
ShetlandInd.Majority URL
South AyrshireNOCCon minority URL
South LanarkshireNOCLab-LD-ind. minority URL
StirlingNOCSNP-Grn-ind coalition URL
West DunbartonshireLab Majority URL
West LothianNOCLab minority URL

2017 election results

Following boundary changes:

Summary of the 3 May 2017 Scottish council election results[25]
Party First-preference votes Councils +/- 2012 seats 2017 seats Seat change
Seats wonNotional Seats won Seat % vs Notional
Scottish National Party610,454 32.3% Steady0.0 0 Decrease1 425 438 431 35.1% Decrease7
Conservative478,073 25.3% Increase12.0% 0 Steady115 112 276 22.5% Increase164
Labour380,957 20.2% Decrease11.4% 0 Decrease3 394 395 262 21.4% Decrease133
Independents199,261 10.5% Decrease1.3% 3 Steady196 198 172 14.1% Decrease26
Liberal Democrats128,821 6.8% Increase0.2% 0 Steady71 70 67 5.5% Decrease3
Scottish Greens77,682 4.1% Increase1.8% 0 Steady14 14 19 1.6% Increase5
No Overall Control29 Increase4
Total 1,889,658100.0±0.032Steady1,2231,2271,227100.00Steady

Note: There were boundary changes in many of these councils. Notional seats and seat change are based on a notional 2012 result calculated by the BBC.[26] The methodology was officially revealed on 9 May 2017. The relevant explanation is available on the BBC Website. Comparisons with the actual results from 2012 are inconsistent, as the number of seats and seat changes will be different because of an increase in council seats across the country from 1,223 to 1,227 and the different boundaries.

The BBC notional calculation is as follows:[27]
Party 2012 seats 2012 notional
Scottish National Party425 438
Conservative115 112
Labour394 395
Liberal Democrats71 70
Scottish Greens14 14
Others 204 198
Total 1,223 1,227

Council control

Political control may be held by minority governments (min), coalitions (co), joint leadership arrangements (j.l.) or partnership working arrangements (p.w.).[28]

Last update 13 February 2022.[29][24]

Council Control WebTotalSNPCONLABLDSGPAlbaOtherVacantUpcoming by-elections
Aberdeen CityNOC CON+ALAB[s 1]+IND coURL4519 10 9[s 1]3 4
AberdeenshireNOC CON+LD+IND co URL7019 20 1 13 1 3 16
AngusNOC CON+IND+LD co URL289 8 1 10
Argyll & ButeNOC CON+LD+IND+ISP co[30]URL3611 8 5 11 1
ClackmannanshireNOC SNP min[31]URL187 5 4 1 1
Dumfries & GallowayNOC LAB+SNP co URL4310 16 10 1 6
Dundee CityNOC SNP min URL2913 3 8 2 3
East AyrshireNOC SNP min URL3214 6 9 3
East DunbartonshireNOC LD+CON co[32]URL227 5 2 6 1 1
East LothianNOC LAB min URL226 7 9
East RenfrewshireNOC SNP+LAB co URL185 5 4 4
City of EdinburghNOC SNP+LAB co[33]URL6316 17 11 6 7 5 1
FalkirkNOC SNP+IND co[34]URL3013 7 7 3
FifeNOC SNP+LAB j.l.[35]URL7529 13 23 7 2 1
Glasgow CityNOC SNP min[36]URLArchived 3 August 2020 at the Wayback Machine8535 7 30 6 2 5
HighlandNOC IND+LD+LAB co URL7419 10 3 11 1 29 1
InverclydeNOC LAB min URL225 2 8 1 2 4
MidlothianNOC LAB min URL187 5 6
MorayNOC SNP min URL267 9 1 8 1
Na h-Eileanan SiarIND IND URLArchived 3 August 2020 at the Wayback Machine316 1 1 1 22
North AyrshireNOC LAB min URL339 8 11 5
North LanarkshireNOC LAB min URLArchived 8 August 2016 at the Wayback Machine7726 8 31 3 9
OrkneyIND IND URL212 19
Perth & KinrossNOC CON min URL4013 18 1 5 3
RenfrewshireNOC SNP min URL4319 8 13 1 2
Scottish BordersNOC CON+IND co URL348 15 2 9
ShetlandIND IND URL221 21
South AyrshireNOC SNP+LAB+IND p.w. URL289 12 5 2
South LanarkshireNOC SNP min URL6425 11 17 3 8
StirlingNOC SNP+LAB URL237 9 4 1 1 1
West DunbartonshireNOC SNP+IND URL229 2 8 1 2
West LothianNOC LAB min URL3314 7 11 1
  1. ^ ab9 Aberdeen Labour (Councillors suspended by Labour from party for their coalition with Conservatives).

2012 election results

Council control

The 32 unitary authorities were controlled as follows. The figures incorporate the results from the 2012 local government election, plus gains and losses from subsequent local by-elections, and party defections.

Council Political control[37]LabSNPLDConGrnInd/Oth Total
Aberdeen CityLab-Con-Ind 17 16 5 2 0 3 43
Aberdeenshire[38]Conservative/Liberal Coalition 2 26 10 16 1 13 68
AngusSNP (minority) 1 14 1 4 0 9 29
Argyll and ButeInd-LD-Con 1 8 4 3 0 20 36
ClackmannanshireLab (minority) 8 9 0 1 0 0 18
Dumfries and GallowayLab-Ind (minority) 13 9 1 9 0 15 47
Dundee CitySNP 10 16 1 1 0 1 29
East AyrshireSNP-Con 14 15 0 2 0 1 32
East DunbartonshireLab-Con-LD 9 8 3 2 0 2 24
East LothianLab-Con-Ind 10 8 0 3 0 2 23
East RenfrewshireLab-SNP 8 4 0 6 0 2 20
City of EdinburghLab-SNP 21 17 2 11 5 2 58
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Outer Hebrides) Ind 2 4 0 0 0 25 31
FalkirkLab-Ind-Con 14 13 0 2 0 3 32
FifeLab (minority) 33 26 10 3 0 6 78
Glasgow CityLab 40 30 1 1 4 2 78
HighlandSNP-Lab 7 17 13 0 0 42 80
InverclydeLab (minority) 9 6 2 1 0 2 20
MidlothianSNP-Ind (minority) 8 8 0 0 1 1 18
MorayInd-Con 2 11 0 3 0 10 26
North AyrshireLab (minority) 12 11 0 1 0 6 30
North LanarkshireLab (minority) 31 22 0 0 0 17 70
OrkneyInd 0 0 0 0 0 21 21
Perth and KinrossSNP (minority) 4 18 5 11 0 3 41
RenfrewshireLab 20 16 1 1 0 2 40
Scottish BordersInd-SNP-LD 0 8 6 9 0 11 34
ShetlandInd 0 0 0 0 0 22 22
South AyrshireCon-Lab 9 9 0 10 0 2 30
South LanarkshireLab 38 21 1 3 0 4 67
StirlingLab-Con 8 9 0 4 1 0 22
West DunbartonshireLab 38 21 1 3 0 4 22
West LothianLab (minority) 16 15 0 1 0 1 32
TOTAL - 379 401 66 110 12 254 1222

2007 election results

Following the introduction of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 local elections are held using the single transferable vote, with this taking place for the first time in 2007. This change in voting system saw all but five councils end up with no one party in control. Labour retained control of Glasgow City and North Lanarkshire, while Orkney, Shetland and Na h-Eileanan Siar continue to be controlled by Independent councillors.

Council control

The 32 unitary authorities are controlled as follows. The figures incorporate the results from the 2007 local government election, plus gains and losses from subsequent local by-elections, and party defections.

Council Political control[37]LabSNPLDConGrnOth Total
Aberdeen CityLD-SNP 10 13 15 4 0 1 43
AberdeenshireSNP 2 28 12 14 1 11 68
AngusCon-LD-Lab-Oth 2 13 3 5 0 6 29
Argyll and ButeOth-LD-Con 0 10 8 3 0 15 36
ClackmannanshireLab (minority) 8 8 0 1 0 1 18
Dumfries and GallowayCon-LD (minority) 14 10 3 18 0 2 47
Dundee CitySNP (minority) 8 14 2 3 0 2 29
East AyrshireSNP (minority) 14 14 0 3 0 1 32
East DunbartonshireCon-Lab (minority) 6 8 3 5 0 2 24
East LothianSNP-LD 7 7 6 2 0 1 23
East RenfrewshireLab-SNP-Oth-LD 7 3 1 7 0 2 20
City of EdinburghLD-SNP 15 12 17 11 3 0 58
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Outer Hebrides) Ind2 4 0 0 0 25 31
FalkirkLab-Oth-Con 14 13 0 2 0 3 32
FifeSNP-LD 24 23 21 5 0 5 78
Glasgow CityLab 46 22 5 1 5 0 79
HighlandOth-LD-Lab 7 18 21 0 0 34 80
InverclydeLab-Con-Oth 9 5 4 1 0 1 20
MidlothianLab (minority) 9 6 3 0 0 0 18
MorayOth-Con 2 9 0 3 0 12 26
North AyrshireLab (minority) 12 8 2 3 0 5 30
North LanarkshireLab 40 23 1 1 0 5 70
OrkneyOth 0 0 0 0 0 21 21
Perth and KinrossSNP-LD 3 18 8 12 0 0 41
RenfrewshireSNP-LD 17 17 4 2 0 0 40
Scottish BordersOth-Con-LD 0 6 10 11 0 7 34
ShetlandOth 0 0 0 0 0 22 22
South AyrshireCon (minority) 9 8 0 12 0 1 30
South LanarkshireLab-Con-LD 30 24 2 8 0 3 67
StirlingLab-Con 8 9 0 4 0 1 22
West DunbartonshireSNP-Oth 10 9 0 0 0 3 22
West LothianSNP-Oth 14 13 0 1 0 4 32
TOTAL - 348 363 166 143 8 194 1222

Community councils

Community councils represent the interests of local people. Local authorities have a statutory duty to consult community councils on planning, development and other issues directly affecting that local community. However, the community council has no direct say in the delivery of services. In many areas they do not function at all, but some work very effectively at improving their local area. Elections for community councils are determined by the local authority but the law does state that candidates cannot stand on a party-political ticket.

See also

References

  1. ^ abc"Scotland council elections 2022: A really simple guide". BBC News. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  2. ^"Local government revenue". Scottish Government. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  3. ^"Scottish budget: Councils given 'complete flexibility' to raise tax rates". BBC News. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  4. ^"Fact check: the final BBC Scottish leaders' debate". The Ferret. 5 May 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  5. ^"About COSLA". COSLA. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  6. ^ abXander Richards (11 May 2022). "Who controls Scotland's councils? Which party will take power and where". The National. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  7. ^ ab"Local government". Institute for Government. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  8. ^"About COSLA". COSLA. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  9. ^John of Fordun wrote that Malcolm II introduced the shire to Scotland and also the thane class. Shires are certainly mentioned in charters by the reign of King Malcolm III, for instance that to the Church of Dunfermline, AD 1070–1093.
  10. ^Wallace, James (1890). The Sheriffdom of Clackmannan. A sketch of its history with a list of its sheriffs and excerpts from the records of court compiled from public documents and other authorities with preparatory notes on the office of Sheriff in Scotland, his powers and duties. Edinburgh: James Thin. pp. 7–19.
  11. ^The earliest sheriffdom south of the Forth which we know of for certain is Haddingtonshire, which is named in a charters of 1139 as "Hadintunschira" (Charter by King David to the church of St. Andrews of the church of St. Mary at Haddington) and of 1141 as "Hadintunshire" (Charter by King David granting Clerchetune to the church of St. Mary of Haddington). In 1150 a charter refers to Stirlingshire ("Striuelinschire"). (Charter by King David granting the church of Clackmannan, etc., to the Abbey of Stirling.)
  12. ^The sheriffdoms listed were Edinburgh (i.e. Midlothian), Hadingtoun (i.e. East Lothian), Berwick, Roxburgh, Selkirk, Peebles, Lanerk, Dumfreize, "the sherifdome of Wigtoun and stewartrie of Kirkcudbright", Air, Dumbartan, Bute, Renfrew, Striviling (i.e. Stirlingshire), Linlithgow (i.e. West Lothian), Perth, Kincairdine, Aberdene, Inverness and Ross, Nairne, Cromarty, Argyle, Fyfe and Kinross, Forfar (i.e. Angus), Bamf (i.e. Banff), Sutherland, Caithnes, Elgine (i.e. Moray), Orkney and Zetland (i.e. Shetland), Clakmannan. "Act of the convention of estates of the kingdome of Scotland etc. for ane new and voluntar offer to his majestie of seventie two thousand pounds monethlie for the space of twelve moneths". Records of the Parliaments of Scotland. University of St Andrews. 23 January 1667. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  13. ^"Adopting the Single Transferable Vote for local elections in England"(PDF). Electoral Reform Society. May 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  14. ^ abDavidson, Jenni (14 September 2016). "Council ward boundaries to be changed across Scotland". Holyrood. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  15. ^"News Release: Final Proposals for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands council areas submitted to Scottish Ministers" (PDF) (Press release). Boundaries Scotland. 28 May 2021
  16. ^Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 Overview on the website legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  17. ^Renting your property out - Your responsibilities Overview on mygov.scot, 15 July 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  18. ^"Orkney Islands Council Area - Demographic Factsheet"(PDF). National Records of Scotland. September 2016. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2 March 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  19. ^Ethical Standards in Public Life framework: "Ethical Standards in Public Life". The Scottish Government. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  20. ^Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland "Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland". Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  21. ^ abs.4, Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.
  22. ^Scottish Parliament. The Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (Remuneration) Regulations 2007 as made, from legislation.gov.uk.
  23. ^ abhttp://www.gov.scot/library/documents3/ethic-07.htm
  24. ^ ab"Open Council Data UK - compositions councillors parties wards elections".
  25. ^"BBC News :: Full Scottish council election results published". BBC News. 8 May 2017.
  26. ^"Scotland local elections 2017". BBC News. 4 May 2018.
  27. ^"How the BBC calculates local election results". 9 May 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  28. ^"Political control | COSLA". www.cosla.gov.uk. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  29. ^"Councils". 24 January 2020.
  30. ^Campbell, Rita (19 May 2017). "Economic growth and education priorities in Argyll". The Press and Journal. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  31. ^"Cooperation and collaboration on the agenda at Clacks Council". Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser. 7 June 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  32. ^"Protests as new Lib Dem/Tory coalition takes control at East Dunbartonshire Council". Kirkintilloch Herald. 22 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  33. ^Gordon, Rebecca (15 June 2017). "Leaders sign coalition agreement to run the Capital". edinburgh.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 12 October 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  34. ^"Council control - Falkirk". Falkirk Council. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  35. ^"Fife Council agree to SNP and Labour joint partnership". Dunfermline Press. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  36. ^Glasgow Young Scot, 20 Trongate (18 May 2017). "Councillor Eva Bolander chosen as Glasgow's Lord Provost". Archived from the original on 22 September 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  37. ^ ab"COSLA". Archived from the original on 29 September 2007.
  38. ^"Aberdeenshire Council - Local Election Results 2012". Archived from the original on 9 July 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2012.