2007 Scottish local government election
Elections to Aberdeenshire Council were held on 3 May 2007 the same day as the other Scottish local government elections and the Scottish Parliament general election . The election was the first one using 19 new wards created as a result of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 , each ward would elect three or four councillors using the single transferable vote system form of proportional representation . The new wards replaced 68 single-member wards which used the plurality (first past the post ) system of election.
The council remained under no overall control and a coalition was formed between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives.
At the previous election in 2003 the Liberal Democrats won 28 seats, falling 7 seats short of an overall majority. The SNP , Conservative and Independent groups also fell well short of an overall majority.
Source:[1]
There was one by-election in the 2003-07 term. The seat was held by the Conservatives.
Source:[2]
2007 Aberdeenshire Council election result Party Seats Gains Losses Net gain/loss Seats % Votes % Votes +/− Liberal Democrats 24 - - 4 35.3 25.2 24,175 8.3 SNP 22 - - 4 32.4 34.5 33,120 6.9 Conservative 14 - - 3 20.6 20.8 19,946 0.2 Independent 8 - - 3 11.8 12.7 12,182 1.8 Labour 0 - - 0.0 5.4 5,189 2.1 Scottish Green 0 - - 0.0 1.1 1,097 New Solidarity 0 - - 0.0 0.1 112 New BNP 0 - - 0.0 0.1 87 New
Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes. The net gain/loss and percentage changes relate to the result of the previous Scottish local elections on 1 May 2003. This may differ from other published sources showing gain/loss relative to seats held at dissolution of Scotland's councils.
Source:[3] [4]
Banff and District - 3 seats Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 SNP Ian Gray 24.0 1,088 1,092 1,103 1,142 Liberal Democrats Jack Mair 15.3 694 704 713 773 773 848 915 1,132 Independent John Cox 15.2 691 707 742 791 791 925 1,055 1,257 Conservative Neil Chalmers 13.6 616 626 640 666 666 741 792 SNP Kathryn Parr 11.0 500 509 525 554 558 609 Independent Sandy Buchan 8.4 383 398 438 475 475 Scottish Green Jonny Barton 6.6 298 301 319 Independent John Calder 3.8 172 180 Independent Ian Page 2.1 94 Electorate: 8,815 Valid: 4,536 Spoilt: 105 Quota: 1,135 Turnout: 53.1%
Troup - 3 seats Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 SNP Mitchell Burnett 47.7 1,798 Conservative John Duncan 24.3 914 1,060 Independent Sydney Mair 20.4 770 975 Liberal Democrats Ian Findlay 7.6 286 422 Electorate: 7,563 Valid: 3,768 Spoilt: 53 Quota: 943 Turnout: 50.9%
Fraserburgh and District [ edit ] Fraserburgh and District - 4 seats Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 SNP Brian Topping 27.1 1,487 SNP Ian Tait 20.6 1,131 Independent Michael Watt 15.1 831 865 869 890 918 1,041 1,370 SNP Andy Ritchie 14.5 795 1,022 1,037 1,046 1,060 1,090 1,165 Independent Dennis Duthie 9.3 509 520 522 554 587 728 Conservative Bob Sim 8.5 466 482 484 490 522 Liberal Democrats Dominique-Paul Lonchay 3.0 164 167 168 171 Independent James Milne 2.0 109 116 116 Electorate: 11,011 Valid: 5,492 Spoilt: 168 Quota: 1,099 Turnout: 51.8%
Central Buchan - 4 seats Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 SNP Sandy Stronach 20.2 1,096 Independent Norman Smith 19.4 1,054 1,054 1,080 1,142 Conservative Peter Chapman 17.2 933 933 974 1,022 1,031 1,087 Independent Albert Howe 14.6 790 790 822 911 933 1,016 1,016 1,283 SNP Norma Thomson 13.2 718 726 771 804 812 870 870 Labour Carol Donald 5.9 318 318 363 378 381 Independent Jim Conn 4.9 265 265 290 Liberal Democrats Betty May 4.7 253 253 Electorate: 10,020 Valid: 5,427 Spoilt: 91 Quota: 1,086 Turnout: 55.4%
Peterhead North and Rattray [ edit ] Peterhead North and Rattray - 4 seats Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 SNP Anne Allan 22.4 1,018 Independent Alan Buchan 20.9 948 948 SNP Fiona McRae 15.0 682 696 699 713 735 763 1,316 Conservative Robert Thomas 14.4 655 655 659 667 704 803 819 SNP Sandy Allan 12.9 585 666 671 685 718 752 Liberal Democrats Andrew Hassan 6.3 288 290 292 304 356 Independent Ian Cowie 5.6 256 257 265 289 Solidarity Steven Will 2.5 112 113 115 Electorate: 10,274 Valid: 4,544 Spoilt: 150 Quota: 909 Turnout: 46.0%
Peterhead South and Cruden [ edit ]
Turriff and District [ edit ]
Mid Formartine - 4 seats Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 4 5 SNP Allan Hendry 33.6 2,035 Liberal Democrats Paul Johnston 27.4 1,661 Conservative Jim Gifford 17.1 1,034 1,141 1,182 1,261 Liberal Democrats John Kevin Loveday 11.2 677 855 1,134 1,210 1,227 Labour Steve Thomson 7.7 469 558 586 613 618 Independent Howard Kershaw 3.1 188 290 306 Electorate: 11,047 Valid: 6,064 Spoilt: 59 Quota: 1,213 Turnout: 55.9%
Ellon and District - 4 seats Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 4 5 SNP Rob Merson 40.5 2,458 Liberal Democrats Isobel Davidson 23.2 1,407 Conservative Gillian Louise Owen 14.4 872 1,033 1,053 1,197 1,274 Liberal Democrats Debra Margaret Storr 8.6 524 777 899 1,049 1,326 Labour Ann Thorpe 7.5 456 587 599 648 Independent Diane Ripley 5.8 352 542 555 Electorate: 11,186 Valid: 6,069 Spoilt: 69 Quota: 1,214 Turnout: 55.4%
West Garioch - 3 seats Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 4 5 6 SNP Alison Grant 35.5 1,555 Liberal Democrats Sheena Margaret Lonchay 22.2 973 1,063 1,085 1,169 Liberal Democrats Hazel Al-Kowarri 18.4 807 884 899 981 1,027 1,358 Conservative David Clucas 15.8 694 746 775 821 830 Labour Ricky Simpson 6.0 263 293 303 Independent Terry Rigby 2.1 93 125 Electorate: 8,036 Valid: 4,385 Spoilt: 58 Quota: 1,097 Turnout: 55.7%
Inverurie and District [ edit ]
East Garioch - 3 seats Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 4 SNP Fergie Hood 31.9 1,420 Liberal Democrats Martin Anthony Ford 23.7 1,054 1,118 Liberal Democrats Nan Cullinane 21.8 968 1,025 1,030 1,206 Conservative Gordon Naismith 15.5 687 726 726 769 Labour Sheila Henderson 7.1 317 345 345 Electorate: 8,185 Valid: 4,446 Spoilt: 56 Quota: 1,112 Turnout: 54.9%
Westhill and District [ edit ]
Huntly, Strathbogie and Howe of Alford[ edit ] Huntly, Strathbogie and Howe of Alford - 4 seats Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 SNP Joanna Strathdee 30.7 1,839 Conservative Moira Ingleby 27.3 1,635 Liberal Democrats Richard C Stroud 16.4 978 1,077 1,145 1,170 1,280 Liberal Democrats Alistair Ross 13.6 812 907 979 1,012 1,088 1,143 1,378 Labour Bryan Begg 6.3 375 424 444 456 501 508 Scottish Green Jake Williams 4.2 251 340 376 421 Independent David Hutchison 1.5 91 135 177 Electorate: 11,162 Valid: 5,981 Spoilt: 82 Quota: 1,197 Turnout: 54.7%
Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside[ edit ] Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside - 3 seats Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 4 5 Conservative Marcus Humphrey 29.3 1,444 Liberal Democrats Peter Argyle 26.1 1,286 Conservative Bruce Luffman 20.5 1,009 1,160 1,172 1,218 1,625 SNP Carol Douglas 20.1 991 1,009 1,021 1,078 Labour Angus Murdoch 4.0 196 202 213 Electorate: 8,467 Valid: 4,926 Spoilt: 75 Quota: 1,232 Turnout: 59.5%
Banchory and Mid-Deeside [ edit ]
North Kincardine - 4 seats Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 SNP Alastair Bews 27.8 1,426 Conservative Carl H Nelson 18.4 946 972 1,008 1,065 Liberal Democrats Paul Melling 16.8 864 957 978 1,124 Liberal Democrats Ian Mollison 12.1 619 652 689 799 863 875 1,119 Independent Henry Irvine-Fortescue 11.2 575 613 659 707 713 723 Labour Jim Milne 10.5 540 586 596 Independent Michelle Reid-Hay 3.2 162 194 Electorate: 9,980 Valid: 5,132 Spoilt: 37 Quota: 1,027 Turnout: 52.4%
Stonehaven and Lower Deeside [ edit ] Stonehaven and Lower Deeside - 4 seats Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Conservative Wendy Agnew 24.9 1,433 SNP Graeme Clark 18.9 1,086 1,107 1,112 1,117 1,126 1,154 Liberal Democrats Mike Sullivan 11.0 636 656 657 668 684 700 701 741 797 931 1,105 Conservative Sandy Wallace 10.9 629 730 735 737 751 760 760 779 823 853 Liberal Democrats Peter Bellarby 9.8 563 590 596 605 620 633 633 723 780 880 980 Labour Bridget O'Hare 8.0 463 470 473 479 482 493 493 524 558 Independent Bob Michie 4.9 282 299 314 333 366 430 430 470 Scottish Green Karen Anne Allan 4.2 242 253 258 264 272 285 286 Independent George Alexander Forbes Emslie 2.8 160 177 182 189 201 Independent Ken Venters 1.9 108 116 132 139 Independent Dermot John Hearty 1.5 85 87 89 Independent David Wood 1.3 73 79 Electorate: 10,770 Valid: 5,760 Spoilt: 90 Quota: 1,153 Turnout: 54.8%
Mearns - 4 seats Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 SNP Jean Dick 23.0 1,262 Conservative George Carr 20.5 1,123 Liberal Democrats Tom Fleming 16.6 909 940 945 1,046 1,144 Liberal Democrats Bill Howatson 13.8 759 775 778 815 850 879 1,021 1,291 Labour Gill Bayfield 7.1 392 406 407 442 455 459 Independent David Nelson 7.1 391 404 407 432 596 601 659 Independent Robert Gairn Davidson 6.2 342 355 358 403 Scottish Green Kate Anderson 5.6 306 336 338 Electorate: 10,436 Valid: 5,484 Spoilt: 48 Quota: 1,097 Turnout: 53.3%
As no party group had the required 35 seats to have an overall majority, the council remained under no overall control and after negotiations, a coalition was formed between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives.
Cllr Ian Tait resigned from the SNP on 28 July 2008 and now sits as an Independent Scottish Nationalist.
Cllr Debra Storr resigned from the Liberal Democrats on 18 November 2008 and on 5 March 2009 she joined the Scottish Green Party. She was a member of the Democratic Independent Group on the council.
Cllr Martin Ford resigned from the Liberal Democrats on 23 November 2008 and on 5 March 2009 he joined the Scottish Green Party. He is a member of the Democratic Independent Group on the council.
On 23 January 2009, Cllr Sam Coull resigned from the Liberal Democrats. Since 5 March 2009 he sits as a member of the Democratic Independent Group
On 23 January 2009, Cllr Paul Johnston left the Liberal Democrat Council Group. He was subsequently expelled from the Liberal Democrats. Since 5 March 2009 he sits as a member of the Democratic Independent Group.
Cllr Andy Ritchie resigned from the SNP on 1 April 2009 and now sits as an Independent.
Cllr Mark Cullen is also a member of the Democratic Independent Group on the council.
On 21 February 2012 Banff and District Cllr John Cox ceased to be an Independent and joined the Scottish National Party.
There was a Troup by-election held on 1 May 2008 to fill the vacancy which arose with the death of the SNP's Michael Burnett on 4 February 2008. The by-election was won by the SNP's Bob Watson.
Troup - 1 seat [5] Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 SNP Bob Watson 62.83 1,721 Conservative Lisa Watt 18.80 515 Liberal Democrats Edward Acton 18.36 503 SNP hold Swing Electorate: 7,589 Valid: 2,739 Spoilt: 16 Quota: 1,371 Turnout: 2,755 (36.3%)
Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside by-election[ edit ] There was an Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside by-election held on 23 April 2009 to fill the vacancy which arose with the resignation of the Conservative's Bruce Luffman in 2009. The by-election was won by the Liberal Democrat's Rosemary Bruce.
Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside - 1 seat [6] Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 4 5 Conservative Jo Pick 31.47 1,144 1,148 1,152 1,241 1,468 Liberal Democrats Rosemary Bruce 26.66 969 975 981 1,180 1,566 Independent William Forbes 23.16 842 845 855 1,003 SNP George Parkinson 16.97 617 621 636 BNP Roy Jones 1.21 44 44 Independent David Hutchison 0.52 19 Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing Electorate: 8,357 Valid: 3,635 Spoilt: 20 Quota: 1,819 Turnout: 3,655 (43.7%)