2022 Falkirk Council election

Last updated

2022 Falkirk Council election
Falkirk Council.svg
  2017 5 May 2022 (2022-05-05)2027 

All 30 seats to Falkirk Council
16 seats needed for a majority
 First partySecond party
 
LeaderCecil MeiklejohnRobert Bissett
Party SNP Labour
Leader's seat Falkirk North Falkirk North
Last election12 seats, 38.8%9 seats, 23.1%
Seats before127
Seats after129
Popular vote21,06612,179
Percentage39.7%23.0%
SwingIncrease2.svg0.9%Decrease2.svg0.1

 Third partyFourth party
 
LeaderJames KerrN/A
Party Conservative Independent
Leader's seat Upper Braes
Last election7 seats, 24.5%2 seats, 9.8%
Seats before74
Seats after54
Popular vote10,3266,018
Percentage19.5%11.4%
SwingDecrease2.svg5.0 %Increase2.svg1.6%

FalkirkCouncilStructureMay2022.svg

Council Leader before election

Cecil Meiklejohn
SNP

Council Leader after election

Cecil Meiklejohn
SNP

The 2022 elections to Falkirk Council were held on 5 May 2022 on the same day as the 31 other Scottish local government elections. The election will use the nine wards created following the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland's 5th Review, with 30 councillors being elected. Each ward elected either three or four members, using the STV electoral system. [1]

Contents

At the last election in 2017, the Scottish National Party (SNP) won the most seats and formed a minority administration. [2]

Background

Previous election

At the previous election in 2017, the Scottish National Party (SNP) became the largest party, despite losing one seat, overtaking Labour who lost five seats. Two independents were elected, one less than 2012 while the Conservatives gained five seats. [3]

2017 Falkirk Council election result
PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  SNP 12Steady2.svg1Decrease2.svg140.038.820,861Decrease2.svg1.6
  Labour 9Steady2.svg5Decrease2.svg530.023.112,421Decrease2.svg14.6
  Conservative 75Steady2.svgIncrease2.svg523.324.513,168Increase2.svg13.3
  Independent 2Steady2.svg1Decrease2.svg16.79.85,308Decrease2.svg0.7
  Scottish Green 0Steady2.svgSteady2.svgSteady2.svg0.03.61,933New
Total30 53,754
Notes [3]

Composition

Since the previous election, several changes in the composition of the council occurred. Labour councillor John McLuckie and Conservative councillor James Kerr were suspended by their respective parties after having been charged by the police following an investigation into planning irregularities in Falkirk. [4] SNP councillor Niall Coleman resigned from the party to become an independent. [5] Two by-elections were held and resulted in an SNP hold [6] and an SNP gain from Labour. [2]

Party2017 resultDissolution
SNP 1212
Labour 97
Conservative 77
Independents24

Retiring councillors

WardPartyRetiring councillor
Grangemouth Labour Allyson Black
Denny and Banknock LabourJim Blackwood
Carse, Kinnaird and Tryst LabourJoan Coombes
Bonnybridge and Larbert Independent Niall Coleman
Falkirk North SNP David Alexander
IndependentDennis Goldie
Falkirk South Conservative John Patrick
Lower Braes ConservativeMalcolm Nicol
Upper Braes SNPGordon Hughes

Results

2022 Falkirk Council election
PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  SNP 12Steady2.svg0Steady2.svg0Steady2.svg040.039.721,066Increase2.svg0.9
  Labour 9Steady2.svg0Steady2.svg0Steady2.svg030.023.012,179Decrease2.svg0.1
  Conservative 5Steady2.svg0Decrease2.svg2Decrease2.svg216.719.510,326Decrease2.svg5.0
  Independent 4Increase2.svg2Steady2.svg0Increase2.svg213.311.46,018Increase2.svg1.6
  Scottish Green 0Steady2.svg0Steady2.svg0Steady2.svg00.04.52,365Increase2.svg0.9
  Liberal Democrats 0Steady2.svg0Steady2.svg0Steady2.svg00.01.1603New
  Alba 0Steady2.svg0Steady2.svg0Steady2.svg00.00.8424New
 Other0Steady2.svg0Steady2.svg0Steady2.svg00.00.127Steady2.svg0.0
Total30 53,008

Ward summary

Results of the 2022 Falkirk Council election by ward
Ward%
Cllrs
%
Cllrs
%
Cllrs
%
Cllrs
%
Cllrs
%
Cllrs
%
Cllrs
%
Cllrs
Total
Cllrs
SNP Lab Conservative Green Lib Dem Ind Alba Others
Bo'ness and Blackness 21.74118.64115.1202.4401.61040.5813
Grangemouth 44.85123.38115.2302.42015.0610.5403
Denny and Banknock 46.49220.66116.1603.15013.5414
Carse, Kinnaird and Tryst 44.37224.55124.0614.1402.8804
Bonnybridge and Larbert 33.88117.60118.4104.91025.2213
Falkirk North 47.41228.86113.2715.9004.5504
Falkirk South 41.66122.34128.5615.6701.7703
Lower Braes 39.35127.00123.3415.7803.2401.3003
Upper Braes 34.88123.13121.8615.6002.53010.8801.1503
Total30

Ward results

Bo'ness and Blackness

Bo'ness and Blackness - 3 seats [7]
PartyCandidateFPv%Count
12345
Independent Ann Ritchie (incumbent)40.512,262
SNP Stacey Devine21.701,2121,434.54
Labour David Aitchison (incumbent)18.641,0411,229.03 1,238.47
Conservative Lynn Munro (incumbent)15.10843950.83 951.93 984.18 995.82
Scottish Green Debra Pickering2.44136136 193.94 245.43 211.02
Liberal Democrats Nicholas William Pitts1.6190125.3 126.18
Electorate: 12,389  Valid: 5,584  Spoilt: 70  Quota: 1,394  Turnout: 45.6%  

    Grangemouth

    Grangemouth - 3 seats [7]
    PartyCandidateFPv%Count
    12345678
    SNP David Balfour (incumbent)35.851,808
    Labour Alan Nimmo [LOB] 23.381,1791,211.98 1,217.28 1,244.09 1,281.31
    Conservative Mandy Bryson13.58685694.08 708.01 702.38 725.98 729.38
    Independent Robert Spears (incumbent)12.12611645.79 647.79 668.61 731.75 738.42 1,071.96 1,391.08
    SNP John Haston9.00454873.93 876.23 942.91 960.45 962.68 984.84
    Independent Marc Bozza3.11157165.78 169.77 176.68
    Scottish Green Rhys Stenhouse2.42122137.73 138.43
    UKIP Martin Stuart0.542727.61
    Electorate: 12,741  Valid: 5,043  Spoilt: 161  Quota: 1,261  Turnout: 40.5%  

      Denny and Banknock

      Denny and Banknock - 4 seats [7]
      PartyCandidateFPv%Count
      1
      SNP Paul Garner (incumbent)29.421,868
      SNP Fiona Collie (incumbent)17.071,0841,571.69
      Conservative Nigel Harris (incumbent)16.161,0261,033.67 1,041.5 1,056.96 1,073.66 1,092.16
      Labour Alf Kelly14.00889903.71 935.17 1,011.42 1,368.98
      Independent Brian McCabe13.54860890.68 929.43 1,031.31 1,072.02 1,106.23 1,610.76
      Labour James Marshall6.66423433.27 444.87 461.56
      Scottish Green Rachel Hart3.15200223.01 346.01
      Electorate: 15,534  Valid: 6,350  Spoilt: 128  Quota: 1, 271  Turnout: 43.8%  

        Carse, Kinnaird and Tryst

        Carse, Kinnaird and Tryst - 4 seats [7]
        PartyCandidateFPv%Count
        1234567
        SNP Gary Bouse (incumbent)27.321,961
        Labour Margaret Anslow24.551,7621,762 1,436.
        SNP Laura Murtagh (incumbent)17.051,2241,670.56
        Conservative Jim Flynn (incumbent)15.061,0811,088.49 1.143.63 1,150.23
        Conservative Robert Kemp9.00646649.75 674.35 678.09 711.89 778.53
        Scottish Green Tom McLaughlin4.14297326.45 270.98 370.48 492.89 610.00
        Liberal Democrats Sean McCay2.88207215.57 278.97 314.47
        Electorate: 17,252  Valid: 7,178  Spoilt: 156  Quota: 1,436  Turnout: 42.5%  

          Bonnybridge and Larbert

          Bonnybridge and Larbert - 3 seats [7]
          PartyCandidateFPv%Count
          123456
          Independent Billy Buchanan (incumbent)25.221,423
          SNP Bryan Deakin21.481,2121,214.26 1,276.53 1,988.19
          Conservative David Grant (incumbent)18.391,0381,040.52 1,056.57 1,064.59 1,084.79
          Labour Jack Redmond17.60993996.38 1,072.64 1,111.79 1,327.54 1,942.15
          SNP Jim Muir12.40700700.94 797.07
          Scottish Green David Robertson4.91277277.94
          Electorate: 13,094  Valid: 5,643  Spoilt: 87  Quota: 1,411  Turnout: 43.8%  

            Falkirk North

            Falkirk North - 4 seats [7]
            PartyCandidateFPv%Count
            1
            SNP Cecil Meiklejohn (incumbent)35.012,260
            Labour Robert Bissett (incumbent)22.681,464
            Conservative James Bundy13.27857863.85 867.95 880.64 912.95 947.87 1,277.89
            SNP Iain Sinclair12.418011,625.50
            Labour Robbie Burgess6.18399423.41 466.48 604.17 651.31 929.0
            Scottish Green Judith McLaughlin5.90381424.26 553.38 557.96 631.1
            Alba Zohaib Arshad4.55294307.28 345.31 348.36
            Electorate: 16,749  Valid: 6,456  Spoilt: 174  Quota: 1,292  Turnout: 39.6%  

              Falkirk South

              Falkirk South - 3 seats [7]
              PartyCandidateFPv%Count
              12345
              SNP Lorna Binnie (incumbent)30.181,843
              Conservative Sarah Patrick28.561,744
              Labour Euan Stainbank22.341,3641,380.46 1,478.63 1,524.51 1,652.32
              SNP Emma Russell (incumbent)11.48701959.03 964.61 977.33
              Scottish Green Hunter Thomson5.67346359.16 377.86 408.23
              Independent Richard Wilson1.77108111.09 138.58
              Electorate: TBC  Valid: 6,106  Spoilt: 102  Quota: 1,527  Turnout: 46.3%  

                Lower Braes

                Lower Braes - 3 seats [7]
                PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                123456
                Labour Anne Hannah27.001,393
                SNP Gordon Forrest23.361,2051,213.21 1,237.65 1,248.06 1,330.98
                Conservative James Kerr [UPB] 23.341,2041,225.29 1,237.65 1,297.984 1,330.97
                SNP Adanna McCue (incumbent)15.99825830.32 841.55 848.75 848.91
                Scottish Green Doug Sheehan5.78298309.76 378.19 320.97
                Liberal Democrats Hunter Ashley3.24167195.32 201.86
                Alba Scott Fallon1.306769.44
                Electorate: 12,003  Valid: 5,159  Spoilt: 48  Quota: 1,290  Turnout: 43.6%  

                  Upper Braes

                  Upper Braes - 3 seats [7]
                  PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                  1
                  SNP Jim Robertson34.881,918
                  Labour Siobhan Paterson23.131,2721,365.42 1,370.55 1,384.12
                  Conservative Claire Brown21.861,2021,214.45 1,219.45 1,224.46 1,225.95 1,233.53 1,259.08 1,406.68
                  Independent John McLuckie (incumbent)8.35459489.57 499.27 548.80 550.05 568.17 603.26
                  Scottish Green Rachel Kidd5.60308516.93 520.78 535.32 536.81 586.76 644.66 740.41
                  Liberal Democrats Austin Reid2.53139161.65 161.65 168.21 170.22 177.23
                  Independent Ian Kennedy1.628998.34 114.04
                  Alba Colin Todd1.1563110.56 114.13 118.13 118.39
                  Independent Mark Tunnicliff0.894955.23
                  Electorate: 12,734  Valid: 5,499  Spoilt: 79  Quota: 1,375  Turnout: 43.8%  

                    Notes

                    1. ^
                      LOB: Sitting councillor for Lower Braes.
                    2. ^
                      UPB: Sitting councillor for Upper Braes.

                    Related Research Articles

                    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Moray Council election</span>

                    Elections to the Moray Council were held on 3 May 2012, the same day as the other 31 local authorities in Scotland. 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.

                    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Fife Council election</span>

                    Elections to Fife Council were held on 3 May 2012, the same day as the other Scottish local government elections. The election used the 23 wards created as a result of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, with each ward electing three or four Councillors using the single transferable vote system form of proportional representation, with 78 Councillors elected.

                    Elections to Clackmannanshire Council were held on 3 May 2012, the same day as the 31 other local authorities in Scotland. The election used the five wards created under the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, with 18 Councillors being elected. Each ward elected either 3 or 4 members, using the STV electoral system.

                    Elections to Falkirk Council were held on 3 May 2012, the same day as the 31 other local authorities in Scotland. The election used the nine wards created under the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, with 32 councillors being elected. Each ward elected either 3 or 4 members, using the STV electoral system.

                    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 West Lothian Council election</span> Scottish local election

                    The 2012 West Lothian Council election took place on 3 May 2012 to elect members of West Lothian Council. The election will use the 9 wards created as a result of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, with each ward electing three or four Councillors using the single transferable vote system form of proportional representation, with 33 Councillors being elected. The Bathgate Ward gained an additional seat for the 2012 elections. The election saw Labour remain the largest party on the Council as they gained 2 seats. The Scottish National Party also made 2 net gains and significantly increased their vote share, outpolling Labour in terms of votes cast. The Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party retained their single seat on the Council and so to did the Independents. The Action to Save St. John's Hospital group were completely wiped out from the authority losing all of their 3 seats.

                    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Dumfries and Galloway Council election</span> Local election in Scotland

                    The 2012 Dumfries and Galloway Council election took place on 3 May 2012 to elect members of Dumfries and Galloway Council. The election used the thirteen wards created as a result of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, with each ward electing three or four councillors using the single transferable vote system form of proportional representation, with 47 councillors being elected.

                    Elections to North Lanarkshire Council were held on 3 May 2012 on the same day as the 31 other local authorities in Scotland. The election used the twenty wards created under the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, with 70 Councillors being elected. Each ward elected either 3 or 4 members, using the STV electoral system.

                    Elections to East Dunbartonshire Council were held on 3 May 2012, the same day as the 31 other local authorities in Scotland. The election used the eight wards created under the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, with 24 Councillors being elected. Each ward elected 3 members, using the STV electoral system.

                    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 City of Edinburgh Council election</span>

                    The elections to the City of Edinburgh 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 single transferable vote (STV) electoral system.

                    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 South Ayrshire Council election</span>

                    The 2017 local council election to South Ayrshire Council was 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 in South Ayrshire to run under the STV Electoral System. Following the election, a coalition administration was formed between the SNP, Labour and Independent councillors, despite the fact that the Conservatives remained the largest party on the council, increasing their lead over the SNP by 2 seats.

                    The 2017 elections to Inverclyde 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 seven wards created under the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, with 22 Councillors being elected, an increase of 2 from 2012 and an additional ward. Each ward elected either 3 or 4 members, using the STV electoral system.

                    2017 Elections to Falkirk Council were held on 4 May 2017, the same day as the 31 other local authorities in Scotland. The election used the nine wards created under the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, with 30 councillors being elected, a reduction of 2 members from 2012. Each ward elected either 3 or 4 members, using the STV electoral system.

                    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Stirling Council election</span>

                    2017 Elections to Stirling Council were held on 4 May 2017, the same day as the 31 other local authorities in Scotland. The election used the seven wards created under the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, with 23 councillors being elected, an increase of 1 from 2012. Each ward elected either 3 or 4 members, using the STV electoral system. Following the Fifth Electoral Review by the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland, minor changes were made to several of the ward boundaries and one additional Councillor was added moving the total number of Councillors from twenty-two to twenty-three.

                    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Renfrewshire Council election</span> Scottish local election


                    The 2017 Renfrewshire Council election took place on 4 May 2017 to elect members of Renfrewshire Council. The election was first to use the twelve wards created as a result of the 2015-16 Boundary Commission review, with each ward electing three or four Councillors using the single transferable vote system, a form of proportional representation, with 43 Councillors being elected, a net increase of 3 members compared to the 2012 Council.

                    2017 Elections to North Lanarkshire Council were held on 4 May 2017, on the same day as the 31 other local authorities in Scotland. The election utilised twenty-one wards with 77 Councillors being elected. This represented an increase of 7 seats and 1 additional ward when compared to 2012. Each ward elected either 3 or 4 members, using the STV electoral system.

                    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Dumfries and Galloway Council election</span>

                    The 2017 Dumfries and Galloway Council election took place on 4 May 2017 to elect members of Dumfries and Galloway Council. The election used the twelve wards created as a result of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, with each ward electing three or four councillors using the single transferable vote system form of proportional representation, with 43 councillors being elected, a reduction of 4 members and 1 ward since 2012.

                    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 City of Edinburgh Council election</span> City of Edinburgh Council election

                    2022 Elections to the City of Edinburgh Council took place on 5 May 2022 on the same day as the 31 other Scottish local government elections. As with other Scottish council elections, it was held using single transferable vote (STV) – a form of proportional representation – in which multiple candidates are elected in each ward and voters rank candidates in order of preference.

                    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Renfrewshire Council election</span>

                    The 2022 Renfrewshire Council elections took place on 5 May 2022, as part of the 2022 Scottish local elections on the same day as the 31 other Scottish local authorities were up for election. The election used the 12 wards created under the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 and last changed as part of the as a result of the 2015-16 Boundary Commission review, with 43 councillors being elected. Each ward elected either 3 or 4 members, using the STV electoral system.

                    2022 Elections to North Lanarkshire Council took place on 5 May 2022 on the same day as the 31 other Scottish local government elections. The election used the 21 wards created following the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland's 5th Review, with 77 councillors being elected. Each ward elected either 3 or 4 members, using the STV electoral system.

                    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Stirling Council election</span>

                    2022 Elections to Stirling Council were held on 5 May 2022, the same day as the 31 other local authorities in Scotland. The election used the seven wards created under the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, with 23 councillors being elected. Each ward elected either 3 or 4 members, using the STV electoral system.

                    References

                    1. "Elections & voting - Local Government Elections 2022". Falkirk Council. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
                    2. 1 2 Webster, Laura (15 October 2021). "SNP secure Falkirk by-election win as Labour's support 'collapses'". The National. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
                    3. 1 2 Teale, Andrew. "Local Elections Results 2017 Falkirk". Local Elections Archive Project. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
                    4. "Falkirk councillors charged over planning concerns". BBC News. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
                    5. Trimble, James (13 March 2022). "Falkirk councillor resigns from SNP". Falkirk Herald. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
                    6. "Bonnybridge and Larbert (Fk) By-Election 15/02/18". Ballot Box Scotland. 22 January 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
                    7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Falkirk Council 2022 Election Results". Falkirk Council. Retrieved 29 July 2022.