Perth and Kinross Council Comhairle Pheairt is Cheann Rois | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
Term limits | 5 years |
| History | |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Preceded by | Tayside |
| Leadership | |
Dennis Melloy, Scottish Conservatives | |
Leader of the Council | Murray Lyle, Scottish Conservatives |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 40 |
) | |
Political groups |
|
| Elections | |
| Single transferable vote | |
Last election | 5 May 2017 |
Next election | 5 May 2022 |
| Website | |
| www | |
Perth and Kinross Council (Scots Gaelic: Comhairle Pheairt is Cheann Rois) is the local government council for the Perth and Kinross council area of Scotland. It employs around 6,000 people.
The council was created in 1996, under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, when the Tayside region was divided between three new unitary council areas: Perth and Kinross, Angus, and Dundee City.
The current Perth and Kinross council headquarters are located in Perth at the bottom of the High Street, near Tay Street, although many public enquiries and council services are handled from the nearby Pullar House at Mill Street.
Elections
General elections to the council are held on a four-year cycle. The most recent poll was held in 2017, on Thursday 4 May. The next local election will be held in 2022.
As a result of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 and the recommendations put forth by the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland, there are twelve wards within the Perth and Kinross council area. The 2007 general election was the first to use the single transferable vote system of election and multi-member wards, each ward electing three or four councillors. This system was introduced as a result of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, and is designed to produce a form of proportional representation.
Political composition
The council is currently led by a minority Conservative administration.[1] As of April 2020, two Conservative councillors choose to sit with the opposition.[2]
Since the election 2017 there have been several changes to the composition of the council.
- Michael Jamieson (Conservative) resigned in September 2017, replaced by Audrey Coates (Conservative) in a November 2017 by-election.[3]
- Ian Campbell (Conservative) died in February 2018, replaced by John Duff (Conservative) in an April 2018 by-election.[4]
- Dave Doogan (SNP) resigned in February 2020 having been elected as MP for Angus in the recent general election.[5] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic a by-election scheduled for May 2020 was delayed until November, where the seat was taken by Ian Massie (SNP).[6][7]
- Bob Band (SNP) died in March 2020, replaced by Liz Barrett (Liberal Democrat) in a November 2020 by-election.[7]
- Henry Anderson (SNP) died in December 2020 from COVID-19 and his seat remains vacent pending a by-election.[8]
| Party | 2017 Election | December 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | 17 | 15+2 ( 0) | |
| Scottish National Party | 15 | 13 ( 2) | |
| Liberal Democrat | 4 | 5 ( 1) | |
| Independent | 3 | 3 (0) | |
| Labour | 1 | 1 (0) |
References
- ^ "The Political Makeup". Perth and Kinross Council. Archived from the original on 1 September 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
- ^ Buchan, Jamie. "EXCLUSIVE: Renegade Tory councillors cleared of all bullying and intimidation allegations". The Courier. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
- ^ Buchan, Jamie. "Perth City South by-election winner announced". The Courier. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
- ^ Buchan, Jamie. "Tories claim victory at Highland Perthshire by-election". The Courier. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
- ^ Buchan, Jamie. "SNP's former leader in Perth and Kinross to quit as councillor after successful General Election campaign". The Courier. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
- ^ Gardiner, Ross. "Perth by-election to replace new Angus MP Dave Doogan postponed". The Courier. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
- ^ a b Gardiner, Ross. "Lib Dems and SNP win twin Perth by-elections". The Courier. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
- ^ Gardiner, Ross. "Tributes flood in as much loved Perthshire councillor loses battle with coronavirus". The Courier. Retrieved 1 January 2021.