52-553: Aberdeen City Council is the local authority for Aberdeen City , one of the 32 council areas of Scotland . In its modern form it was created in 1996. Aberdeen was formerly governed by a corporation from when it was made a burgh in the twelfth century until 1975. Between 1975 and 1996 the city was governed by City of Aberdeen District Council, a lower-tier authority within the Grampian region. The council has been under no overall control since 2002. Since 2022 it has been led by
104-516: A Liberal Democrat and Conservative coalition, holding 23 of the 43 seats on the council. Prior to the 2003 election, the council had been considered a Labour stronghold. Following the May 2007 election , contested for the first time using a system of proportional representation , the Liberal Democrats and Scottish National Party (SNP) formed a coalition to run the council, holding 27 of
156-399: A Scottish National Party and Liberal Democrat coalition. It meets at Aberdeen Town House and has its main offices at the neighbouring Marischal College . Aberdeen was made a royal burgh by David I (reigned 1124–1153). The burgh of Aberdeen was governed by a corporation, also known as the town council. Elections for the council were only introduced in 1833. Prior to that the council
208-408: 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
260-471: A group of councillors within the council who are able to command majority support. Minority administrations and majority administrations may be formed. 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. Despite being uncommon on
312-405: A larger area than the pre-1975 city, taking in the parishes of Dyce , Newhills , Old Machar, and Peterculter from Aberdeenshire and Nigg from Kincardineshire. All except Dyce had previously ceded territory to the city in pre-1975 boundary changes. The parish of Nigg added in 1975 just covered the residual rural parts of the old parish around Cove Bay ; Nigg village itself had been absorbed into
364-783: A notional 2012 result calculated by the BBC. 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. Political control may be held by minority governments (min), coalitions (co), joint leadership arrangements (j.l.) or partnership working arrangements (p.w.). Last update 13 February 2022. The 32 unitary authorities were controlled as follows. The figures incorporate
416-485: Is administered by elected councillors. There are currently 1,227 councillors, 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). Councillors are subject to a Code of Conduct instituted by
468-741: Is an outer suburb of Aberdeen , Scotland , about eight miles (13 km) from the city centre. It lies on the north bank of the River Dee , at its confluence with the Culter Burn. Following the 1996 Scottish council boundary changes it became part of the Lower Deeside ward in the Aberdeen City council area . About one mile (2 km) south west of Peterculter is the site of the Roman marching camp at Normandykes . King William
520-497: Is divided into a number of wards , and three or four councillors are elected for each ward. There are currently 1,227 elected councillors in Scotland . Local elections are normally held every five years and use the single transferable vote electoral system. 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
572-465: Is largely ceremonial. Political leadership is instead provided by the leader of the council . The leaders since 1996 have been: Aberdeen City Council currently comprises 45 councillors, who represent the city's wards , and is headed by the Lord Provost . Prior to the 2012 council election there were 43 members of Aberdeen City Council. Between 2003 and 2007, the council was under the control of
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#1732787069670624-646: The 2022 election a Scottish National Party and Liberal Democrats coalition took control of the council. The first election to the City of Aberdeen District Council was held in 1974, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new system came into force on 16 May 1975. A shadow authority was again elected in 1995 ahead of the change to council areas which came into force on 1 April 1996. Political control since 1975 has been as follows: City of Aberdeen District Council Aberdeen City Council The role of Lord Provost of Aberdeen
676-594: The Cairngorm National Park , Culter is a base for tourists. In the town itself there are choices of many local walks , including its connection to the Deeside Way at the site of the former Culter railway station , as well as the forest area known locally as "Sandy Hilly", or "The Muggie Widds" (St. Margaret Woods), the entrance to which sits beside the Bucklerburn region. For sport, there
728-637: 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 . There is also a statutory Monitoring Officer, who usually heads the Legal Services division of the council, as well as a Chief Financial Officer. Last updated 10 March 2023. Following boundary changes: Note: There were boundary changes in many of these councils. Notional seats and seat change are based on
780-700: 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
832-673: The Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 and enforced by the Standards Commission for Scotland . 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
884-496: The May 2012 election , the control of the council shifted back to the Labour Party, supported in a coalition by three Conservative and three Independent councillors, giving the administration 23 seats. The Labour/Conservative/Independent coalition continued after the 2017 election , but with a change in the balance of power within the coalition. Labour were reduced to nine councillors (subsequently suspended from membership by
936-458: 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. 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
988-470: The council areas of Scotland . Aberdeen is divided into 13 multi-member wards, electing a total of 45 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 . As of 4 May 2017, the current wards and representative numbers are: Note: The net gain/loss and percentage changes relate to
1040-403: 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 French feudal structures. This was continued by his sons Edgar , Alexander I and in particular David I . David completed the division of
1092-501: The 2022 election and a subsequent by-election in February 2023 and changes of allegiance up to October 2023, the composition of the council was: The next election is due in 2027. Council meetings are held at Aberdeen Town House on Broad Street , which was built in 1874 and substantially extended in 1975, including a new council chamber. The council's main offices are now in the neighbouring Marischal College . The council moved into
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#17327870696701144-692: The 43 seats (following an SNP by election gain from the Conservatives on 16 August 2007, the coalition held 28 of the 43 seats). Two Liberal Democrat councillors became independents during this period due to personal controversies, while the four strong Conservative group split in August 2010, with two councillors forming the Scottish Conservative Group and two others the Aberdeen Conservative Group. After
1196-614: The Lion bestowed the church of Kulter, "iuxta Abirdene", upon the Abbey and monks of St Mary of Kelso , about 1165–1199. The gift was afterwards confirmed by Mathew, Bishop of Aberdeen, within whose diocese the church sat. Alan of Soltre, chaplain, who had probably been an ecclesiastic of the hospital, or monastery of Soutra , in Lothian , was presented by the Abbot of Kelso, to the vicarage of
1248-544: The River Dee. Following the absorption of Torry on the south bank of the river in 1891, the city straddled the two counties. Aberdeen was made a county of itself in 1899, removing the city from the two counties for lieutenancy and other purposes as well as local government functions. The city boundaries were subsequently enlarged several times, gaining further territory from both Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire, notably in 1935, 1952 and 1970. Local government across Scotland
1300-505: The SNP and Liberal Democrats agreed to form a partnership to lead the Council for the next five years. At the Council's statutory meeting on 18 May 2022, SNP councillor David Cameron was elected Lord Provost and Liberal Democrat Councillor Steve Delaney was elected Depute Provost. SNP Group Leader Alex Nicoll and Liberal Democrat Group Leader Ian Yuill became Co-Leaders of the Council. Following
1352-605: The Scottish Government accepting some of the recommendations of Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland . 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. The power vested in local authorities
1404-606: The Scottish Labour Party for forming a coalition with the Conservatives), whilst the Conservatives had eleven councillors elected. These Conservative and suspended "Aberdeen Labour" councillors were joined in coalition by three Independent councillors, one of who had left the Liberal Democrats just days after the council election. In December 2019 a councillor elected as a Conservative became an Independent following his conviction for sexual assault. This led to
1456-411: The Scottish mainland, it is possible for independent politicians to form an administration. The Convention of Scottish Local Auuthorities (COSLA) is an umbrella organisation formed in 1975 to represent the views of Scotland's thirty-two councils to central government. The history of Scottish local government mainly surrounds involves the counties of Scotland . The counties have their origins in
1508-527: The burn at that point to flee pursuing Hanoverian troops (given the width of the stream there, the story - which has its local variants in many parts of Scotland - is unlikely to have much basis in fact). The outlaw Gilderoy is a more likely historical figure for the story. The original statue is thought to have been a modified ship's figurehead. The statue was replaced in 2017 by a resin effigy, wearing ancient Macgregor tartan. Due to its nearness to Aberdeen City and being only about thirty miles (50 km) from
1560-572: The church of Culter, 1239–1240. In 1287–1288, an agreement was made between the Abbot and Convent of Kelso and the brotherhood of the Knights of Jerusalem, regarding the Templars' lands of Blairs and Kincolsi (Kincousie, now Kincaussie), on the south side of the Dee, by which a chapel, built by the Templars at their house of Culter, was recognised as a church, with parochial rights, for the inhabitants of
1612-620: The city in 1935. The parish of Old Machar was named after St Machar's Cathedral in Old Aberdeen, which had been absorbed into the city in 1891; the parish of Old Machar that was absorbed in 1975 was just the residual part of the cathedral's old parish which lay north of the River Don , including Bridge of Don . Local government was reorganised again in 1996 under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 , which abolished
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1664-455: The council, but there was no legislative basis for the role. 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
1716-410: The country into sheriffdoms by the conversion of existing thanedoms . 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. The commissioners eventually assumed other duties in the county. In 1858, police forces were established in each county under
1768-462: 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. Prior to 2007 many authorities recognised the leader of the largest political group or coalition administration as being leader of
1820-401: 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. Peterculter Peterculter / ˌ p iː t ər ˈ k uː t ər / , also known as Culter ,
1872-503: The functions affecting the burgh which operated at county level were relatively few, largely being limited to judicial functions and lieutenancy . When elected county councils were created in 1890 under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889 , Aberdeen Corporation was deemed capable of running county-level local government functions, and so the burgh was excluded from the area administered by Aberdeenshire County Council. In 1891 Aberdeen's boundaries were significantly enlarged, absorbing
1924-546: The majority of their funding from the Scottish Government , but operate independently and are accountable to their local electorates. Councils raise additional income via the Council Tax , a locally variable domestic property tax , and Business rates , a non-domestic property tax. Councils are made up of councillors who are directly elected by the residents of the area they represent. Each council area
1976-541: The matter to the Standards Commission. Each council elects a provost from among the members of the council to chair meetings and to act as a figurehead for the area. 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. Most councils use
2028-493: The neighbouring burghs of Old Aberdeen and Woodside , plus the Torry area on the south bank of the River Dee . The act of parliament which expanded the burgh also confirmed that Aberdeen was entitled to be called a city; it had commonly been described as a city prior to that, but (like most Scottish cities) without official recognition. The historic county boundary between Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire in this area followed
2080-420: 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
2132-504: The regions and districts created in 1975 and established 32 single-tier council areas across Scotland. The existing City of Aberdeen District became one of the new council areas. The 1994 Act named the new council area 'City of Aberdeen', but this was changed to 'Aberdeen City' by a council resolution on 9 May 1995, before the new council area came into force, allowing the new council to take the name 'Aberdeen City Council'. The council has been under no overall control since 2002. Following
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2184-440: The renovated former college building in 2011. Before May 2007, councillors represented 43 single-member wards election on a first-past-the-post basis. On 3 May 2007, the single transferable vote system was used for the first time and multi-member wards were introduced, each ward electing three or four councillors. The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland completed its final recommendations for new wards for all
2236-1256: The result of the previous Scottish local elections on 3 May 2007. This may differ from other published sources showing gain/loss relative to seats held at dissolution of Scotland's councils. Local government in Scotland Charles III William , Duke of Rothesay Swinney government The Rt Hon John Swinney MSP The Rt Hon John Swinney MSP Kate Forbes MSP Sixth session Alison Johnstone MSP Angela Constance MSP Dorothy Bain KC The Rt Hon Lord Carloway KC PC United Kingdom Parliament elections European Parliament elections Local elections Referendums Starmer ministry The Rt Hon Keir Starmer MP The Rt Hon Ian Murray MP 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 . Councils receive
2288-404: The results from the 2007 local government election, plus gains and losses from subsequent local by-elections, and party defections. 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
2340-667: The results from the 2012 local government election, plus gains and losses from subsequent local by-elections, and party defections. 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. The 32 unitary authorities are controlled as follows. The figures incorporate
2392-525: The ruling coalition becoming a minority administration comprising only 22 of the 45 councillors. Between 2017 and 2021 the council had Co-Leaders Douglas Lumsden (Conservative) and Jenny Laing (“Aberdeen Labour”) as a result of the coalition agreement. Following Douglas Lumsden's election to the Scottish Parliament in May 2021 Jenny Laing became sole Leader of the council. After the 2022 election
2444-418: The said lands. It was this agreement that changed the existing parish of Culter into two separate parishes with two separate names, the other being Maryculter . High up on the steep, rocky bank of the Culter Burn, near the western exit of the town, was a colourful and well-tended kilted wooden figure holding a broadsword and targe , representing Rob Roy Macgregor , who, according to local legend, leapt across
2496-612: 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. In 2016 there were ward boundary changes in 25 local authority areas, following
2548-504: 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. Since 2007 each council has been required to designate
2600-429: Was not an elected body; when vacancies arose the existing council appointed successors. As Aberdeen grew, the council's powers were inadequate to cater for the needs of the growing urban area. A separate police commission was established in 1795 with powers to levy taxes and provide infrastructure ('police' in this context being its older meaning of civic government rather than law enforcement). The first police commission
2652-536: Was reorganised in 1975 under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 , which replaced the counties, burghs and landward districts with a two-tier system of regions and districts . One of the districts was called 'City of Aberdeen', which formed part of the Grampian region. City of Aberdeen District Council was therefore a lower-tier district authority, with upper-tier regional functions being provided by Grampian Regional Council. The City of Aberdeen district covered
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#17327870696702704-472: Was short-lived, but it was resurrected in 1818 after the town council went bankrupt in 1817. From 1818 until 1871 there was a dual system of local government, with the town council and police commission having different roles in Aberdeen's administration. The police commission was eventually abolished in 1871 and its functions absorbed by the town council. Aberdeen was historically part of Aberdeenshire , but
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