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Glasgow City Council Comhairle Baile Ghlaschu
Full council election every 5 years
Coat of arms
Glasgow City Council logo
Type
Type	Unitary authority
History
Founded	1 April 1996
Preceded by	Glasgow Corporation (c. 1175–1975) City of Glasgow District Council (1975–1996)
Leadership
Lord Provost	Jacqueline McLaren, SNP since 19 May 2022
Leader	Susan Aitken, SNP since 18 May 2017
Chief Executive	Susanne Millar since May 2024
Structure
Seats	85 councillors
Political groups	Administration (37)   SNP (37) Other parties (48)   Labour (34)   Greens (11)   Conservative (2)   Independent (1)
Elections
Voting system	Single transferable vote
Last election	5 May 2022
Next election	6 May 2027
Motto
Let Glasgow Flourish
Meeting place
City Chambers, George Square, Glasgow, G2 1DU
Website
www.glasgow.gov.uk

Glasgow City Council (Scottish Gaelic: Comhairle Baile Ghlaschu) is the local government authority for Glasgow City council area, Scotland. In its modern form it was created in 1996. Glasgow was formerly governed by a corporation, also known as the town council, from the granting of its first burgh charter in the 1170s until 1975. From 1975 until 1996 the city was governed by City of Glasgow District Council, a lower-tier authority within the Strathclyde region.

Glasgow City Council has been under no overall control since 2017, being led by a Scottish National Party minority administration. The council has its headquarters at Glasgow City Chambers in George Square, completed in 1889.

History

Glasgow Corporation

Glasgow was given its first burgh charter sometime between 1175 and 1178 by William the Lion. It was then run by "Glasgow Town Council", also known as "Glasgow Corporation", until 1975. The city was part of Lanarkshire until 1893, but the functions which operated at county level were relatively few, largely being limited to lieutenancy and sheriffdom. When elected county councils were created in 1890 under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889, Glasgow Corporation was deemed capable of running its own affairs and so the city was excluded from the area controlled by Lanarkshire County Council, although the county council nevertheless chose to meet in Glasgow as a conveniently accessible location. In 1893, Glasgow became its own county for lieutenancy and sheriffdom purposes too, being made a county of itself.

The boundaries of the burgh were extended several times to incorporate areas where the urban zone outgrew the previous boundaries or where there were plans for development. These significant expansions comprise:

• 1830 - Blythswood
• 1846 - Anderston, Calton, and Gorbals
• 1891 - Crosshill, Govanhill, Pollokshields, Pollokshields East, Hillhead, and Maryhill
• 1905 - Kinning Park
• 1912 - Govan, Partick, and Pollokshaws
• 1926 - Cardonald, Crookston, Lambhill, Mansewood, Millerston, Nitshill, Scotstounhill, and Yoker
• 1938 - Castlemilk, Darnley, Drumchapel, and Easterhouse

City of Glasgow District Council

Local government across Scotland was reorganised in 1975 under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, which replaced the counties and burghs with a two-tier structure of upper-tier regions and lower-tier districts. Glasgow became a district within the Strathclyde region. The local authority was therefore renamed the "City of Glasgow District Council". The Glasgow district covered a larger area than the pre-1975 city, gaining Baillieston, Cambuslang, Carmunnock, Carmyle, Garrowhill, Mount Vernon, Rutherglen, and Springboig.

Glasgow City Council

Local government was reorganised again in 1996 under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, which abolished the regions and districts created in 1975 and established 32 single-tier council areas across Scotland, one being the city of Glasgow. The council adopted its modern name of "Glasgow City Council" following these reforms. The council area created in 1996 was smaller than the district which had existed between 1975 and 1996, with the Rutherglen and Cambuslang area being transferred instead to the new South Lanarkshire council area following a local referendum.

Political control

For political control before 1975 see Politics of Glasgow

The first election to the City of Glasgow District Council was held in 1974, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing corporation until the new system came into force on 16 May 1975. A shadow authority was again elected in 1995 ahead of the reforms which came into force on 1 April 1996. Political control of the council since 1975 has been as follows:

City of Glasgow District Council

Glasgow City Council

Leadership

For leaders before 1996 see Politics of Glasgow

The council is ceremonially headed by the Lord Provost of Glasgow, who convenes meetings of the council and performs associated tasks as a general civic leader. The role dates from the 15th century. Since 1893, when the city was made a county of itself, the Lord Provost has also acted as Lord Lieutenant of the city. The current Lord Provost, elected in May 2022 after that month's election, is Jacqueline McLaren.

Political leadership is provided by the leader of the council. The council changed from an executive-led governance system to a committee-led system in September 2017, with the leader of the council since then chairing the City Administration Committee. The leaders since 1996 have been:

Composition

Following the 2022 election and subsequent by-elections and changes of allegiance up to July 2024, the composition of the council was:

1. ^ The Scottish Greens are in a working agreement with the SNP administration, but they do not form part of it.

The next election is due in 2027.

Elections

The council consists of 85 councillors elected for a five-year term from 23 wards. Since 2007 elections have been held every five years under the single transferable vote system, introduced by the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 to replace the first-past-the-post system.

The most recent full council election took place on 5 May 2022, in which no party held a majority of the seats, as had also been the case in the preceding 2017 election. The Scottish National Party remained the largest party, winning 37 seats, whilst Labour won 36 seats, an increase relative to its 2017 result. The Greens won ten seats, also improving on their position in 2017, whilst the Conservatives lost all but two councillors.

The next election is due to take place on 6 May 2027. Election results since 1995 have been as follows:

1. Scottish Militant Labour
2. ^ Scottish Socialist Party
3. Solidarity
4. Glasgow First

Premises

The council has its meeting place and main offices at Glasgow City Chambers in George Square.

Glasgow Corporation was based at the Tolbooth at Glasgow Cross from at least the fifteenth century, which was rebuilt several times. The last Tolbooth on the site was built in 1626. Most of that building was demolished in 1921, leaving only the steeple standing as a clock tower.

In 1814 the corporation vacated the Tolbooth and moved to the new Justiciary Buildings on Saltmarket, overlooking Glasgow Green. The building served both as council chamber and offices for the corporation and as the courthouse for the Lower Ward of Lanarkshire. In 1844 the corporation and sheriff court moved to the new Sheriff Court on Wilson Street. The Justiciary Buildings on Saltmarket thereafter served solely as a courthouse.

In 1889 the council moved to its own purpose-built headquarters at the City Chambers in George Square.

Wards

The current multi-member ward system (23 wards, 85 seats) was introduced for the 2017 council election, replacing a similar model (21 wards, 79 seats) in place between 2007 and 2017:

Ward notes

1. Carmunnock, Castlemilk, Cathcart (part), Croftfoot, King's Park (part), Muirend, Simshill
2. Arden, Auldhouse, Carnwadric, Cowglen, Eastwood, Hillpark, Kennishead, Mansewood, Merrylee, Newlands, Pollokshaws
3. Crookston (part), Darnley, Deaconsbank, Hurlet, Nitshill, Parkhouse, Pollok (part), Priesthill, Southpark
4. Cardonald, Corkerhill, Crookston (part), Hillington, Mosspark, Penilee, Pollok (part)
5. Cessnock, Drumoyne, Govan, Ibrox, Kinning Park, Shieldhall, Tradeston
6. Bellahouston, Craigton, Dumbreck, Pollokshields, Port Eglinton, Shawlands (part), Strathbungo
7. Battlefield, Cathcart (part), Langside, King's Park (part), Mount Florida, Shawlands (part), Toryglen
8. Crosshill, Gorbals, Queen's Park, Govanhill, Hutchesontown, Oatlands
9. Barrowfield, Bridgeton, Calton, Dalmarnock, Gallowgate, Newbank, Parkhead (part)
10. Anderston, Charing Cross, Cowcaddens, Finnieston, Garnethill, Glasgow City Centre, Kelvingrove, Kelvinhaugh, Merchant City, Townhead, Yorkhill
11. Hillhead, Kelvinbridge, North Kelvinside, Park District, St George's Cross, Woodlands, Woodside
12. Anniesland (part), Broomhill, Glasgow Harbour, Jordanhill, Thornwood, Whiteinch
13. Garscadden, Knightswood (part), Scotstounhill, Scotstoun, Yoker
14. Anniesland (part), Blairdardie, Drumchapel, Knightswood (part), Old Drumchapel, Temple
15. Gilshochill, Maryhill, Summerston, Wyndford
16. Cadder, Colston, Hamiltonhill, Milton, Lambhill, Parkhouse, Port Dundas, Possilpark, Ruchill
17. Balornock, Barmulloch, Millerston (part), Robroyston, Springburn
18. Barlanark, Cranhill, Carntyne, Greenfield Riddrie, Springboig
19. Braidfauld, Carmyle, Lilybank, Mount Vernon, Parkhead (part), Sandyhills, Shettleston, Tollcross
20. Baillieston, Broomhouse, Easthall, Garrowhill, Swinton, Wellhouse
21. Blackhill, Craigend, Easterhouse, Garthamlock, Hogganfield, Ruchazie
22. Dennistoun, Germiston, Haghill, Royston, Sighthill
23. Dowanhill, Hyndland, Kelvindale, Kelvinside, Partick (part)

See also

• Demographics of Glasgow
• Politics of Scotland

Footnotes

1. "Council minutes, 19 May 2022". Glasgow City Council. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
2. "SNP will run Glasgow Council as minority". 18 May 2017 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
3. Paterson, Stewart (26 March 2024). "New chief executive appointed to Glasgow City Council". The Herald. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
4. Marwick, J. D. (1897). Charters and Documents relating to the City of Glasgow 1175–1649. British History Online. pp. v–xxiii. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
5. Guide to local government in parishes, counties and burghs. Edinburgh: Royal College of Physicians. 1892. pp. xxiii–xxx. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
6. "Preparing for the elections in Scotland". The County Council Magazine. London: F. Warne and Company. 1890. p. 284. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
7. "County of the City of Glasgow Act 1893 (c. 188)". legislation.gov.uk. The National Archives. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
8. "Glasgow Magistrates and Police Act 1830 (c. 42)". legislation.gov.uk. The National Archives. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
9. Glasgow Municipal, Police, and Statute Labour Act, 1846. 1846. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
10. "City of Glasgow Act 1891 (c. 130)". legislation.gov.uk. The National Archives. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
11. "Glasgow Corporation Order Confirmation Act 1905 (c. 127)". legislation.gov.uk. The National Archives. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
12. "Glasgow Boundaries Act 1912 (c. 95)". legislation.gov.uk. The National Archives. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
13. "Glasgow Boundaries Act 1925 (c. 131)". legislation.gov.uk. The National Archives. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
14. "Glasgow Boundaries Order Confirmation Act 1937 (c. 6)". legislation.gov.uk. The National Archives. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
15. "Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1973 c. 65, retrieved 29 January 2023
16. Irene Maver. "Modern Times: 1950s to The Present Day > Neighbourhoods". The Glasgow Story. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
17. "Scotland's Landscape: City of Glasgow". BBC. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
18. "Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1994 c. 39, retrieved 29 January 2023
19. "Priority is finding a way forward for Glasgow". The Herald. 4 September 2001. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
20. ^ "Compositions calculator". The Elections Centre. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
21. "Glasgow City Council: Review of Decision-Making Arrangements, 14th Sept 2017".
22. "Council minutes". Glasgow City Council. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
23. "Steven Purcell resigns as councillor after quitting as Glasgow City Council leader". Daily Record. 5 March 2010. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
24. "Glasgow". Local Councils. Thorncliffe. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
25. Scottish Council Elections 1995 - Results and Statistics, H.M. Bochel, D.T. Denver, p.95-97
26. "The Glasgow City (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1998", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1998/3078, retrieved 29 January 2023
27. Scottish Council Elections 1999 - Results and Statistics, H.M. Bochel, D.T. Denver
28. Chapter 57 Clyde Councils, Local Election Results, 5th May 2003, Andrew Teale
29. Scottish Parliament. The Glasgow City (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2006 as made, from legislation.gov.uk.
30. Local Election Results 3rd May 2007, Andrew Teale (2008)
31. Local Election Results 2012: Glasgow, Local Elections Archive Project (LEAP), Andrew Teale
32. Scottish Parliament. The Glasgow City (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2016 as made, from legislation.gov.uk.
33. Local Election Results 2017, Glasgow City Council
34. "Contact us". Glasgow City Council. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
35. "Glasgow, High Street, Tolbooth Steeple". Canmore. Historic Environment Scotland. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
36. Trongate, 1770 (Mitchell Library, Foulis Academy Prints), The Glasgow Story
37. Historic Environment Scotland. "Justiciary Courts, excluding extension to Mart Street, 212 Saltmarket Street, Glasgow (LB32844)". Retrieved 29 January 2023.
38. City Chambers (Mitchell Library, Glasgow Collection), The Glasgow Story
39. "Local Ward Factsheets". Glasgow City Council. 1 January 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

v t e Elections in Glasgow
Glasgow Town Council	1846
Glasgow Corporation	1895 1896 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973
Glasgow District Council	1974 1977 1980 1984 1988 1992
Glasgow City Council	1995 1999 2003 2007 2012 2017 2022
Strathclyde Regional Council	1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 Abolished

v t e Glasgow City
History	Battle of Glasgow (1544) Battle of Langside Timeline of Glasgow history 1888 exhibition 1901 exhibition 1911 exhibition Battle of George Square 1938 Empire Exhibition Glasgow razor gangs 1968 storm 1988 Garden Festival Glasgow young teams
Politics	City Chambers Glasgow City Council Lord Provost Red Clydeside Glasgow Trades Council Scottish Parliament electoral region Glasgow's miles better Parliamentary constituencies Council wards
Geography	Demography Subdivisions Glasgow city centre Greater Glasgow Urban Area Housing Parks River Clyde River Kelvin Squares Streets Tallest buildings
Culture	Architecture Art Chinatown Festivals Glasgow Fair Glasgow patter Media People TRNSMT World Pipe Band Championships
Transport	Buchanan bus station Glasgow Central railway station Glasgow Queen Street railway station Glasgow Airport Prestwick Airport Renfrew Airport (until 1966) Subway Clyde Tunnel Kingston Bridge Road junctions Trams (until 1962) Trolleybuses (until 1967)
Education	University of Strathclyde Glasgow Caledonian University University of Glasgow Glasgow Medical School Glasgow School of Art Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RSAMD)
Religion	Archbishop of Glasgow (Roman Catholic) Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway (Episcopalian) Glasgow Cathedral Glasgow Central Mosque Presbytery of Glasgow Saint Mungo Sectarianism
Sport	2014 Commonwealth Games Celtic F.C. Clyde F.C. Commonwealth Arena Glasgow Rocks Glasgow Warriors Hamilton Crescent Hampden Park Kelvin Hall Old Firm Original Glasgow derby Partick Thistle F.C. Queen's Park F.C. Rangers F.C. Third Lanark A.C. (defunct) West of Scotland Cricket Club
Attractions	Ashton Lane Botanic Gardens Buchanan Street Burrell Collection Celtic Park Clydeside distillery SEC Armadillo (Clyde Auditorium) Concert Hall Gallery of Modern Art George Square Glasgow distillery Glasgow Green Glasgow Science Centre Glasgow Tower Glasgow Women's Library Hilton Hotel Holmwood House Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery Ibrox Stadium Listed buildings Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum Mitchell Library Pollok House Riverside Museum Scottish Football Museum Willow Tearooms
Health	Dental Hospital Gartnavel General Hospital Glasgow effect Glasgow Royal Infirmary New Victoria Hospital NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Stobhill Hospital
Economy	International Financial Services District Glasgow Stock Exchange River Clyde Buchanan Street Silicon Glen
Category

• Politics of Glasgow
• Organisations based in Glasgow
• Local authorities of Scotland