2017 Moray Council election

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2017 Moray Council election
Coat of arms of Moray Area Council.svg
←  2012 4 May 2017 (2017-05-04) 2022  →
All 26 seats to Moray Council
14 seats needed for a majority
 First partySecond party
 
Leader Graham Leadbitter & Shona Morrison Tim Eagle
Party SNP Conservative
Leader's seat Elgin South & Fochabers Lhanbryde Buckie
Last election10 seats, 39.4%3 seats, 17.5%
Seats before1110
Seats won98
Seat changeDecrease2.svg1Increase2.svg5
Popular vote10,51812,010
Percentage31.6%36.1%
SwingDecrease2.svg 7.9%Increase2.svg 18.6%
 Third partyFourth party
 
LeaderGeorge AlexanderJohn Divers
Party Independent Labour
Leader's seat Forres Elgin City South
Last election10 seats, 28.8%3 seats, 9.2%
Seats before32
Seats won81
Seat changeDecrease2.svg2Decrease2.svg2
Popular vote8,0221,483
Percentage24.1%4.3%
SwingDecrease2.svg 4.8%Decrease2.svg4.9%
Moray Council election 2017.svg
The 8 multi-member wards
Council Leader before election

Stewart Cree
Independent

Council Leader after election

George Alexander
Independent

The 2017 elections to Moray Council were held on Thursday 4 May 2017, on the same day as the 31 other local authorities in Scotland. It was the third successive Local Council election to run under the STV Electoral System. The election used the eight wards created under the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, with 26 Councillors being elected. Each ward elected either 3 or 4 members, using the STV electoral system - a form of proportional representation.

Contents

Following the election, a Conservative-Independent administration was formed. Independent councillor George Alexander was appointed Leader of the council, while Conservative councillor James Allan was appointed Convenor of the council.

In May 2018, all but one of the Conservative councillors left the administration, leaving the independents and Convenor James Allan in a minority administration. Following negotiations with other groups, the SNP formed a minority administration in June 2018, with Graham Leadbitter taking on the role of Council Leader and Shona Morrison being appointed Convenor, the first women to take on the role in Moray Council's history.

Background

Previous election

At the previous election in 2012, the Scottish National Party saw their seat count increase by 1, and became the largest grouping on the council by vote share. The Independent group lost 2 seats and the Conservatives held all of their seats. Labour increased their representation on the council by 1. Due to the SNP not having enough seats to form an administration, the previous coalition between the Conservatives and the Independents group stayed as the Council's administration.

2012 Moray Council election result
PartySeatsVote share
SNP 1039.4%
Independent 1028.8%
Conservative 317.5%
Labour 39.2%

Source: [1] [2]

Composition

There were 5 by-elections in the 2012-17 term. There were 2 by-elections in the Heldon & Laich ward ward: one resulted in an Independent gain from SNP, and the other was an Independent hold. There were 2 further by-elections in the Buckie ward: one resulted in an SNP gain from Independent, and the other resulted in an Independent hold. The other by-election was held in the Elgin City North ward, which resulted in an SNP gain from Labour.

Composition of Moray Council
Party2012 electionDissolution
SNP 1011
Independent 103
Conservative 310
Labour 32

Source: [2]

Results

2017 Moray Council election result
PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  SNP 901Decrease2.svg134.631.610,518Decrease2.svg7.8
  Conservative 850Increase2.svg530.836.112,010Increase2.svg18.6
  Independent 802Decrease2.svg230.824.18,022Decrease2.svg4.8
  Labour 102Decrease2.svg23.84.31,438Decrease2.svg4.9
  Scottish Green 000Steady2.svg0.02.6853Decrease2.svg0.2
  Liberal Democrats 000Steady2.svg0.01.2410Increase2.svg0.6
Total26 33,296

Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes. The net gain/loss and percentage changes relate to the result of the previous Scottish local elections in 2012. This may differ from other published sources showing gain/loss relative to seats held at dissolution of Scotland's councils.

Source: [3] [4]

Ward results

Speyside Glenlivet

Speyside Glenlivet – 3 Seats
PartyCandidateFPv%Count
1234
Conservative Walter Wilson35.91,307   
Independent Derek Ross23.68581,107  
SNP Louise Laing21.3776782 821 1,458
SNP Angus Anderson19.2698705 727  
Electorate: 7,365  Valid: 3,639  Spoilt: 77  Quota: 910  Turnout: 50.5%  

    Source: [5] [6]

    Keith and Cullen

    Keith and Cullen – 3 Seats
    PartyCandidateFPv%Count
    1234
    Conservative Donald Gatt32.71,208   
    SNP Theresa Coull29.51,088   
    Independent Ron Shepherd (incumbent)18.02665765 783 1,069
    SNP Iain Grieve10.2375382 510 570
    Independent Rob Barsby9.6354442 447  
    Electorate: 8,118  Valid: 3,690  Spoilt: 62  Quota: 923  Turnout: 46.2%  

      Source: [7] [8]

      Buckie

      Buckie – 3 seats
      PartyCandidateFPv%Count
      1234
      Conservative Tim Eagle 33.81,060   
      Independent Gordon Cowie (incumbent)21.4673826  
      SNP Sonya Warren (incumbent)22.8716728 734 1,369
      SNP Gordon McDonald (incumbent)22.0691702 710  
      Electorate: 7,962  Valid: 3,140  Spoilt: 47  Quota: 786  Turnout: 40.0%  

        Source: [9] [10]

        Fochabers Lhanbryde

        Fochabers Lhanbryde – 3 seats
        PartyCandidateFPv%Count
        1234567
        Conservative Marc Macrae42.71,747      
        SNP Shona Morrison 16.7682702 708 738 759 794 872
        SNP David Bremner17.4711722 729 752 760 792 862
        Independent Ian Taylor6.7274361 374 441 578 701  
        Liberal Democrats Donald Cameron5.2211318 394 445 511   
        Independent Kenneth Gillespie4.1166282 294 344    
        Independent Sean Morton (incumbent)5.3215284 289     
        Liberal Democrats Peter Horton2.083142      
        Electorate: 8,089  Valid: 4,089  Spoilt: 71  Quota: 1,023  Turnout: 51.4%  

          Source: [11] [12]

          Heldon & Laich

          Heldon and Laich – 4 seats
          PartyCandidateFPv%Count
          1234567
          Conservative James Allan37.91,953      
          Independent John Cowe (incumbent)15.37891,045     
          SNP Amy Patience18.9976996 997 1,014 1,110  
          Independent Ryan Edwards10.5541662 668 706.01 769 788 1,170
          Independent Dennis Slater (incumbent)10.2527658 663 693 760 778  
          Scottish Green James Mackessack-Leitch4.7240286.8 288 347    
          Liberal Democrats John Mitchell2.3116201 201     
          Electorate: 10,737  Valid: 5,142  Spoilt: 44  Quota: 1,029  Turnout: 48.3%  

            Source: [13] [14]

            Elgin City North

            Elgin City North – 3 seats
            PartyCandidateFPv%Count
            123456
            Conservative Frank Brown32.91,181     
            Independent Sandy Cooper14.9532606 767 933  
            SNP Paula Coy17.7634639 672 714 720 1,279
            SNP Patsy Gowans (incumbent)15.0537540 557 630 634  
            Labour Nick Taylor11.9429477 536    
            Independent Billy Adams7.4266339     
            Electorate: 9,237  Valid: 3,579  Spoilt: 65  Quota: 895  Turnout: 39.5%  

              Source: [15] [16]

              Elgin City South

              Elgin City South – 3 seats
              PartyCandidateFPv%Count
              12
              Conservative Ray McLean35.91,460 
              SNP Graham Leadbitter (incumbent)30.71,245 
              Labour John Divers (incumbent)24.81,0091,126
              Independent Sean Malone8.5347531
              Electorate: 9,551  Valid: 4,061  Spoilt: 42  Quota: 1,016  Turnout: 43.0%  

                Source: [17] [18]

                Forres

                Forres - 4 seats
                PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                1234567
                Conservative Claire Feaver35.42,094      
                SNP Aaron McLean (incumbent)23.51,389      
                Independent George Alexander (incumbent)16.69811,247     
                Scottish Green Fabio Villani10.4613671 767 773 778 835  
                Independent Lorna Creswell (incumbent)9.4555739 779 815 841 1,015 1,505
                Independent Jeff Hamilton4.1243335 349 360 381   
                Independent Terry Monaghan0.63654 60 62    
                Electorate: 12,116  Valid: 5,911  Spoilt: 47  Quota: 1,183  Turnout: 49.2%  

                  Source: [19] [20]

                  Aftermath

                  As no single party was able to form an administration on its own, a coalition administration between the Conservatives and the Independent group was formed, which was a continuation of the coalition administration since 2007. An Independent councillor was appointed council leader and a Conservative councillor was appointed Convenor.

                  However, in May 2018, the Conservative-Independent administration collapsed. After negotiations with other groups, the SNP formed a minority administration in June 2018, with SNP co-leader Cllr. Graham Leadbitter taking on the role of Council Leader and SNP co-leader Cllr. Shona Morrison being appointed Convenor.

                  On 21 October 2017, Speyside Glenlivet Conservative Cllr Walter Wilson resigned from the party group following disagreements with colleagues in the party group. He sat as an Independent. [21]

                  By-elections

                  Elgin City North by-election

                  On 10 May 2017, Elgin City North Independent Cllr Sandy Cooper resigned his seat less than a week after being elected in the 2017 elections. A by-election took place on 13 July 2017. [22] The seat was won by Conservative candidate, Maria Mclean.

                  Elgin City North by-election (13 July 2017) - 1 seat
                  PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                  123
                  Conservative Maria McLean40.0923970 1,061
                  SNP Patsy Gowans38.8895904 994
                  Labour Nick Taylor15.8365389  
                  Independent Terry Monaghan5.4124  
                  Electorate: 9,354  Valid: 2,307  Spoilt: 17  Quota: 1153.5  Turnout: 24.8%  

                    Source: [23] [24]

                    Keith and Cullen by-election

                    On 24 October 2019 Keith and Cullen Independent Cllr Ron Shepherd retired due to ill-health. [25] A by-election was held on 21 November 2019 and it was won by the Conservative's Laura Powell.

                    Keith and Cullen by-election (21 November 2019) - 1 seat
                    PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                    123
                    Conservative Laura Powell41.51,1421,177 1,339
                    SNP Jock McKay38.11,0471,077 1,184
                    Independent Rob Barsby12.7349430  
                    Liberal Democrats Ian Aitchison7.7212  
                    Electorate: 8,191  Valid: 2,778  Spoilt: 28  Quota: 1,376  Turnout: 33.9%  

                      Source: [26] [27]

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                      References

                      1. ↑ Faulds, Allan. "Moray Council 2022". Ballot Box Scotland. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
                      2. 1 2 Teale, Andrew. "Local Election Results 2012". Local Elections Archive Project. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
                      3. ↑ Teale, Andrew. "Local Election Results 2017". Local Election Archive Project.
                      4. ↑ "Moray Council Election Results 2017". Moray.gov. 25 April 2017. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
                      5. ↑ "Declaration of Results - Ward 1 - Speyside Glenlivet" (PDF). Moray Council. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
                      6. ↑ "Transfers Report - Ward 1 - Speyside Glenlivet" (PDF). Moray Council. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
                      7. ↑ "Declaration of Results - Ward 2 - Keith and Cullen" (PDF). Moray Council. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
                      8. ↑ "Transfers Report - Ward 2 - Keith and Cullen" (PDF). Moray Council. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
                      9. ↑ "Declaration of Results - Ward 3 - Buckie" (PDF). Moray Council. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
                      10. ↑ "Transfers Report - Ward 3 - Buckie" (PDF). Moray Council. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
                      11. ↑ "Declaration of Results - Ward 3 - Fochabers Lhanbryde" (PDF). Moray Council. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
                      12. ↑ "Transfers Report - Ward 4 - Fochabers Lhanbryde" (PDF). Moray Council. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
                      13. ↑ "Declaration of Results - Ward 5 - Heldon and Laich" (PDF). Moray Council. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
                      14. ↑ "Transfers Report - Ward 5 - Heldon and Laich" (PDF). Moray Council. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
                      15. ↑ "Declaration of Results - Ward 6 - Elgin City North" (PDF). Moray Council. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
                      16. ↑ "Transfers Report - Ward 6 -Elgin City North" (PDF). Moray Council. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
                      17. ↑ "Declaration of Results - Ward 7 - Elgin City South" (PDF). Moray Council. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
                      18. ↑ "Transfers Report - Ward 7 - Elgin City South" (PDF). Moray Council. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
                      19. ↑ "Declaration of Results - Ward 8 - Forres" (PDF). Moray Council. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
                      20. ↑ "Transfers Report - Ward 8 - Forres" (PDF). Moray Council. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
                      21. ↑ "Councillor criticised over Moray budget comments". BBC News. 21 November 2017.
                      22. ↑ Davidson, Peter. "Councillor steps down after less than week in job". Evening Express. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
                      23. ↑ "Moray Council Local Government By-Election" (PDF). Moray Council. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
                      24. ↑ "Local Government By-Election Ward 6 - Elgin City North" (PDF). Moray Council. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
                      25. ↑ "End of an era as Shepherd calls it a day". 24 September 2019.
                      26. ↑ "The Moray Council Local Government By-Election" (PDF). Moray Council. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
                      27. ↑ "Local Government By-Election Ward 2 - Keith and Cullen" (PDF). Moray Council. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
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