Composition
Between 2003 and 2007 the council was under the control of 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 the 43 seats (following an SNP by election gain from the Conservatives on 16 August 2007, the Lib Dem/SNP coalition held 28 of the 43 seats). Two Liberal Democrat councillors became independents during this period due to personal controversies, while the Conservative Group split in August 2010 with two councillors forming the Independent Alliance Group.
After the Scottish Local Government Elections in 2012 the control of the council shifted back to the Labour Party. This caused disappointment for SNP after successfully gaining all constituencies in the North East at the 2011 Scottish Parliamentary elections but failing to win control of a number of Councils in Scotland including Aberdeen in 2012. The Council is now controlled by a Labour-Conservative coalition supported by three independents, giving the administration 23 seats.
Aberdeen City Council comprises forty-three councillors who represent the city's wards and is headed by the Lord Provost who is currently Lord Provost George Adam. The Leader of the Council is Barney Crockett of the Scottish Labour Party.
Political composition: (as at May 2012)
- Labour - 17 councillors
- Scottish National Party - 15 councillors
- Liberal Democrat - 5 councillors
- Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - 3 councillors
- Independent - 3 councillors
Chief Officials:
- Chief Executive - Valerie Watts
- Head of Legal & Democratic Services - Jane MacEachran
Read more about this topic: Aberdeen City Council
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