Fife Council is the local authority for Fife, one of the 32 council areas of Scotland. The council is based at Fife House in Glenrothes. It has been under no overall control since 2003, and has been led by a Labour minority administration since the last election in 2022.

History Fife was one of Scotland's historic counties, with a Fife County Council existing from 1890 to 1975. In 1975, Fife became a region with three lower-tier district councils: Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, and North-East Fife. The regions and districts were abolished in 1996, when Fife became a council area, governed by Fife Council.

Political control The council has been under no overall control since 2003. Following the 2022 election, the Scottish National Party were the largest group on the council, but a Labour minority administration was formed with informal support from the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives.

The first election to Fife Regional Council was held in 1974, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new system came into force on 16 May 1975. A shadow authority was again elected in 1995 ahead of the change to council areas which came into force on 1 April 1996. Political control since 1975 has been as follows: (Put "Fife" in search box to see specific results.)

Fife Regional Council Party in controlYears 1975–1996

Fife Council Party in controlYears 1996–2003 2003–present

Leadership A Provost of Fife is elected from among the councillors. The provost chairs full council meetings and acts as ceremonial head of the council. The current provost is former football manager Jim Leishman, who was first elected to the post in May 2012 and subsequently re-elected in 2017 and 2022.

Political leadership is provided by the leader of the council. The leaders since 1996 have been:

Councillor Party From To Notes Alex Rowley 1 April 1996 1998 Christine May 1998 2003 Anne McGovern 2003 2007 Peter Grant 2007 2012 Alex Rowley 2012 20 Feb 2014 David Ross 20 Feb 2014 May 2017 David Alexander May 2017 May 2022 Co-leaders David Ross David Ross 19 May 2022

Premises Fife Council is based at Fife House on North Street, Glenrothes. The building was built in 1969 for the Glenrothes Development Corporation, and became headquarters of Fife Regional Council on its creation in 1975. Prior to 1975 the old Fife County Council had been based at County Buildings, Cupar. Fife House passed to the new Fife Council on local government reorganisation in 1996.

Composition Following the 2022 election and subsequent by-elections and changes of allegiance, the composition of the council was:

Party Councillors 34 18 13 6 2 2Total75

The next full council election is due in 2027.

Elections

Since 2007 elections have been held every five years under the single transferable vote system, introduced by the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004. Election results since 1995 have been as follows:

YearSeatsSNPLabourLiberal DemocratsConservativeIndependent / OtherNotes 1995 92 9 54 25 0 4 1999 78 9 43 21 1 4 New ward boundaries. 2003 78 11 36 23 2 6 2007 78 23 24 21 5 5 New ward boundaries. 2012 78 26 35 10 3 4 2017 75 29 24 7 15 0 New ward boundaries. 2022 75 34 20 13 8 0

Wards

Wardnumber Ward Location in Fife Seats Largest settlement Other settlements1 West Fife and Coastal Villages 3 Kincardine Blairhall, Bowershall, Cairneyhill, Carnock, Comrie, Culross, Gowkhall, Oakley, Saline, Steelend, Torryburn, Valleyfield2 Dunfermline North 3 Dunfermline Kingseat, Townhill, Wellwood3 Dunfermline Central 4 Dunfermline Crossford, Halbeath4 Dunfermline South 4 Dunfermline5 Rosyth 3 Rosyth Charlestown, Comrie, Limekilns6 Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay 4 Dalgety Bay Aberdour, Hillend, Jamestown, Inverkeithing, North Queensferry7 Cowdenbeath 4 Cowdenbeath Crossgates, Hill of Beath, Kelty8 Lochgelly, Cardenden and Benarty 4 Lochgelly Ballingry, Cardenden, Crosshill Glencraig, Lochore, Lumphinnans9 Burntisland, Kinghorn and Western Kirkcaldy 3 Burntisland Auchtertool, Kinghorn, Western Kirkcaldy10 Kirkcaldy North 3 Kirkcaldy11 Kirkcaldy Central 3 Kirkcaldy12 Kirkcaldy East 3 Kirkcaldy13 Glenrothes West and Kinglassie 3 Glenrothes Kinglassie14 Glenrothes North, Leslie and Markinch 4 Glenrothes Cadham, Leslie, Markinch, Milton of Balgonie, Star15 Glenrothes Central and Thornton 3 Glenrothes Coaltown of Balgonie, Thornton16 Howe of Fife and Tay Coast 3 Newburgh Auchtermuchty, Balmalcolm, Collessie, Creich, Falkland, Freuchie, Gateside, Kilmany, Kingskettle, Ladybank, Letham, Lindores, Logie, Luthrie, Strathmiglo17 Tay Bridgehead 3 Newport-on-Tay Balmerino, Balmullo, Bottomcraig, Gauldry, Guardbridge, Leuchars, Pickletillum, Tayport, Woodhaven, Wormit18 St Andrews 4 St Andrews Strathkinness19 East Neuk and Landward 3 Anstruther Abercrombie, Arncroach, Boarhills, Carnbee, Cellardyke, Colinsburgh, Crail, Dunino, Elie and Earlsferry, Kilconquhar, Kilrenny, Kingsbarns, Largoward, Lathones, Pittenweem, St Monans20 Cupar 3 Cupar Blebo Craigs, Ceres, Cults, Cupar Muir, Dairsie, Kemback, Pitlessie, Pitscottie, Springfield, Stratheden21 Leven, Kennoway and Largo 4 Leven Baintown, Balcurvie, Bonnybank, Cameron Bridge, Drumeldrie, Kennoway, Lower Largo, Lundin Links, Upper Largo, Windygates22 Buckhaven, Methil and Wemyss Villages 4 Methil Buckhaven, Coaltown of Wemyss, East Wemyss, West Wemyss

References

External links Fife Council web site