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Stirling (council area)

{{Short description|Council area of Scotland}}

{{About|the modern administrative area|the county|Stirlingshire}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}

{{Use British English|date=August 2024}}

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Stirling

| native_name = {{Unbulleted list

|{{native name|gd|Sruighlea}}

|{{native name|sco|Stirlin}}

}}

| settlement_type = Council area

| image_skyline =

| imagesize =

| image_alt =

| image_caption =

| image_flag =

| flag_alt =

| image_shield = Stirling_arms.png

| shield_alt =

| shield_link =

| image_blank_emblem =

| blank_emblem_size =

| blank_emblem_type =

| blank_emblem_link =

| etymology =

| nickname =

| motto =

| image_map = Stirling UK location map.svg

| map_alt =

| map_caption = Stirling shown within Scotland

| coordinates = {{coord|56.5000|N|4.0000|W|region:GB_type:adm2nd|display=inline,title}}

| subdivision_type = Sovereign state

| subdivision_name = United Kingdom

| subdivision_type1 = Country

| subdivision_name1 = Scotland

| subdivision_type2 =

| subdivision_name2 =

| subdivision_type3 = Lieutenancy area

| subdivision_name3 = Stirling and Falkirk

| subdivision_type4 =

| subdivision_name4 =

| established_title = Incorporated

| established_date = 16 May 1975

| established_title1 = Unitary authority

| established_date1 = 1 April 1996

| named_for = Stirling

| seat_type = Administrative{{nbsp}}HQ

| seat = Stirling

| parts_type =

| parts =

| government_footnotes = {{cite web |url=https://www.stirling.gov.uk/council-and-committees/ |title=Council and committees |website=Stirling Council |access-date=24 August 2024}}

| government_type = Council

| governing_body = Stirling Council

| leader_title = Control

| leader_name = {{UK council control|GSS=S12000030}}

| leader_title1 =

| leader_name1 =

| leader_title2 =

| leader_name2 =

| leader_title3 = MPs

| leader_name3 = Chris Kane (L)

| leader_title4 = MSPs

| leader_name4 = {{unbulleted list

|Keith Brown (SNP)

|Evelyn Tweed (SNP)

}}

| area_footnotes = {{UK subdivision statistics citation}}

| area_total_km2 = {{UK subdivision area|GSS=S12000030}}

| area_land_km2 =

| area_water_km2 =

| area_rank = Subdivisions of Scotland#Council areas

| population_footnotes =

| population_as_of = {{UK subdivision statistics year}}

| population_total = {{UK subdivision population|GSS=S12000030}}

| population_rank = Subdivisions of Scotland#Council areas

| population_density_km2 = {{UK subdivision density|GSS=S12000030}}

| population_demonym =

| demographics_type1 =

| demographics1_footnotes =

| demographics1_title1 =

| demographics1_info1 =

| demographics_type2 =

| demographics2_footnotes =

| demographics2_title1 =

| demographics2_info1 =

| timezone1 = GMT

| utc_offset1 = +0

| timezone1_DST = BST

| utc_offset1_DST = +1

| postal_code_type = Postcode areas

| postal_code =

| area_code_type = Dialling codes

| area_code =

| iso_code = GB-STG

| blank1_name = GSS code

| blank1_info = S12000030

| website = {{URL|stirling.gov.uk}}

}}

The Stirling council area ({{langx|sco|Stirlin}}; {{langx|gd|Sruighlea}}) is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and has an estimated population of {{UK subdivision population|GSS=S12000030}} ({{UK subdivision statistics year}}). It was created in 1975 as a lower-tier district within the Central region. The district covered parts of the historic counties of Stirlingshire and Perthshire, which were abolished for local government purposes. In 1996 the Central region was abolished and Stirling Council took over all local government functions within the area.

The administrative centre of the area is the city of Stirling, with the headquarters at Old Viewforth.

The area borders the council areas of Clackmannanshire (to the east), North Lanarkshire (to the south), Falkirk (to the south east), Perth and Kinross (to the north and north east), Argyll and Bute (to the north and north west), and both East and West Dunbartonshire to Stirling's southwest.

The majority of the population of the area is located in its southeast corner, in the city of Stirling and in the surrounding lowland communities: Bridge of Allan and Dunblane to the north, Bannockburn to the immediate south, and the three former coal mining communities of Cowie, Fallin, and Plean, known collectively as the "Eastern Villages".

The rest of the council area's population is sparsely distributed across the rural, mainly highland, expanse in the north and west of the area. The southern half of this rural area comprises the flat western floodplain of the River Forth, bounded on the south by the Touch Hills and the Campsie Fells. North of the glen lie the Trossachs mountains, and the northern half of the council area is generally mountainous in character.

History

Stirling district was created in 1975 under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, which abolished Scotland's counties, burghs and landward districts and replaced them with upper-tier regions and lower-tier districts. Stirling was one of three districts within the Central region. As created in 1975 the Stirling district covered five districts from Stirlingshire and four districts from Perthshire, which were all abolished at the same time:{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973|year=1973|chapter=65|accessdate=16 April 2023}}

From Perthshire:

From Stirlingshire:

The new district and its neighbour Falkirk were together made a new Stirling and Falkirk lieutenancy area. The last Lord Lieutenant of Stirlingshire became the first Lord Lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk.{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Lord-Lieutenants Order 1975|year=1975|number=428|accessdate=16 April 2023}}

Local government was reformed again in 1996 under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, which abolished the regions and districts which had been created in 1975, replacing them with unitary council areas. Central Region was abolished and each of the area's three districts, including Stirling, became council areas. Stirling District Council was therefore replaced by the current Stirling Council.{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994|year=1994|chapter=39|accessdate=16 April 2023}}

Governance

{{Infobox legislature

| name = Stirling

| native_name =

| transcription_name =

| legislature =

| coa_pic = Stirling Council.svg

| coa_res = 150px

| house_type =

| body =

| houses =

| leader1_type = Provost

| leader1 = Elaine Watterson

| party1 =
Conservative

| election1 = 7 December 2023{{cite news |last1=Marjoribanks |first1=Kaiya |title=New Stirling Provost appointed to role after resignation of previous civic leader |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/new-stirling-provost-appointed-role-31629443 |access-date=31 July 2024 |work=Daily Record |date=8 December 2023}}

| leader2_type = Leader

| leader2 = Gerry McGarvey

| party2 = Scottish Labour

| election2 = 6 February 2025 https://www.facebook.com/CllrGerryMcGarvey/posts/pfbid02r1ovjkUtDQiPdMJavvF1zMPPbAMq8YHVHeCRqc732gJrVZLKtCBCDxLpokG6ua3rl

| leader3_type = Chief Executive

| leader3 = Caroline Sinclair

| party3 =

| election3 = 2024{{cite web |title=Caroline Sinclair appointed as new Stirling Council Chief Executive |url=https://www.stirling.gov.uk/news/caroline-sinclair-appointed-as-new-stirling-council-chief-executive/ |website=Stirling Council |access-date=31 July 2024 |date=3 June 2024}}

| members = 23 councillors

| house1 =

| house2 =

| structure1 = United Kingdom Stirling Council 2025.svg

| structure1_res = 250px

| political_groups1 =

; Administration (4)

: {{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} Labour (4)

; Other parties (19)

: {{Color box|{{party color|Scottish National Party}}|border=darkgray}} SNP (9)

: {{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}| border=darkgray}} Conservative (8)

: {{Color box|{{party color|Independent politician}}|border=darkgray}} Independent (1)

: {{Color box|{{party color|Scottish Greens}}|border=darkgray}} Green (1)

| committees1 =

| committees2 =

| joint_committees =

| voting_system1 = Single transferable vote

| voting_system2 =

| last_election1 = 5 May 2022

| next_election1 = 6 May 2027

| session_room = File:Viewforth House Stirling.jpg

| session_res =

| meeting_place = Old Viewforth, Pitt Terrace, Stirling, FK8{{nbsp}}2ET

| website = {{URL|www.stirling.gov.uk}}

| footnotes =

}}

=Political control=

The council has been under no overall control since 2007. Following the 2022 election a minority Labour administration formed to run the council.{{cite web |title=Labour administration to lead Stirling Council |url=https://www.stirling.gov.uk/news/labour-administration-to-lead-stirling-council/ |website=Stirling Council |access-date=31 July 2024 |date=19 May 2022}}{{cite news |title=Labour form minority administration on Stirling Council |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-61439852 |access-date=31 July 2024 |work=BBC News |date=19 May 2022}}

The first election to Stirling District 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:{{cite web |title=Compositions calculator |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/?page_id=3825 |website=The Elections Centre | date=4 March 2016 |access-date=16 April 2023}}

Stirling District Council

class="wikitable"
colspan="2"|Party in controlYears
{{Party name with colour|No overall control}}1975–1984
{{Party name with colour|Scottish Labour}}1984–1988
{{Party name with colour|No overall control}}1988–1996

Stirling Council

class="wikitable"
colspan="2"|Party in controlYears
{{Party name with colour|Scottish Labour}}1996–1999
{{Party name with colour|No overall control}}1999–2003
{{Party name with colour|Scottish Labour}}2003–2007
{{Party name with colour|No overall control}}2007–present

=Leadership=

The first leader of the council, Corrie McChord, had been the last leader of the Central Regional Council.{{cite news |title=Council dashes hopes of nursery petition parents |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers |access-date=20 April 2023 |work=Stirling Observer |date=10 November 1995 |page=17}} The leaders since 1996 have been:{{cite web |title=Council minutes |url=https://minutes.stirling.gov.uk/ |website=Stirling Council |access-date=16 April 2023}}

class=wikitable

! Councillor !! colspan=2|Party !! From !! To

Corrie McChord{{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}}align=right|1 Apr 1996align=right|12 Mar 2008
Graham Houston{{party name with colour|Scottish National Party}}align=right|12 Mar 2008align=right|17 May 2012
Corrie McChord{{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}}align=right|17 May 2012align=right|28 Feb 2013
Johanna Boyd{{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}}align=right|28 Feb 2013align=right|4 May 2017
Scott Farmer{{party name with colour|Scottish National Party}}align=right|24 May 2017align=right|19 May 2022
Chris Kane{{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}}align=right|19 May 2022align=right|12 Sep 2024
Margaret Brisley{{Cite web |url=https://www.stirling.gov.uk/news/cllr-margaret-brisley-appointed-as-stirling-council-leader/#:~:text=Cllr%20Margaret%20Brisley%20has%20been,today's%20Special%20meeting%20of%20Council.&text=Cllr%20Brisley%20steps%20up%20from,the%20recent%20UK%20General%20Election. |title=Cllr Margaret Brisley appointed as Stirling Council Leader |last= |first= |date=12 Sep 2024 |website=Stirling Council |publisher=Stirling Council |access-date=28 Oct 2024}}{{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}}align=right|12 Sep 2024align=right|27 Oct 2024

=Composition=

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

class="wikitable"

! rowspan=2| Date

! class="unsortable" style="width:50px;" |SNP

! class="unsortable" style="width:50px;" |Con

! class="unsortable" style="width:50px;" |Lab

! class="unsortable" style="width:50px;" |Green

! class="unsortable" style="width:50px;" |Ind

! class="unsortable" style="width:50px;" |Vacant

! rowspan="2" | Reason

! rowspan="2" | Leader

data-sort-type="number" style="background:{{party color|Scottish National Party}};" |

! data-sort-type="number" style="background:{{party color|Scottish Conservatives}};" |

! data-sort-type="number" style="background:{{party color|Scottish Labour}};" |

! data-sort-type="number" style="background:{{party color|Scottish Greens}};" |

! data-sort-type="number" style="background:{{party color|Independent politician}};" |

! data-sort-type="number" style="background:{{party color|Casual vacancy}};" |

5 May 2022876112022 Stirling Council electionrowspan=8|Chris Kane (Lab)
19 October 202287512Ewan Dillon (Lab) becomes Independent
18 December 2022775121Death of Graham Houston (SNP)
16 March 202378512Robin Kleinman (Con) elected in by-election
10 November 2023775121Resignation of Douglas Dodds (Con)
25 January 202478512Thomas Heald (Con) elected in by-election
20 May 2024785111Resignation of Ewan Dillon (Ind)
15 August 202478611David Wilson (Lab) elected in by-election
12 September 2024785111Resignation of Chris Kane (Lab)Margaret Brisley (Lab)
27 October 2024784112Death of Margaret Brisley (Lab)rowspan=3|Vacant
5 December 2024884111Willie Ferguson (SNP) elected in by-election
23 January 202598411Bob Buchanan (SNP) elected in by-election

A by-election was held in 15 August 2024 to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Ewan Dillon. Following Chris Kane being elected as MP for Stirling and Strathallan, Labour Councillor Margaret Brisley became leader of the Council, but died on 27 October 2024,{{cite web|access-date=28 October 2024 |title=Stirling Council Leader Margaret Brisley Dies Aged 79 |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/breaking-stirling-council-leader-margaret-33983684 |website=Daily Record}} and a by-election was held to fill the vacancy caused by her death. The next full council election is due in 2027.{{cite web |title=Stirling |url=https://www.localcouncils.co.uk/councils/?council=stirling |website=Local Councils |publisher=Thorncliffe |access-date=31 July 2024}}

=Premises=

File:Stirling Council Head Quarters - geograph.org.uk - 131346.jpg

The council is based at Old Viewforth on Pitt Terrace in Stirling. The oldest part of the building is a converted house called Viewforth, which had been built in 1855.{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB48323|desc=Pitt Terrace, Viewforth (Stirling Council Offices), including entrance gateways and boundary wall to the west|cat=B|access-date=16 April 2023}} The house was bought by Stirlingshire County Council in 1931 for £5,250 and converted to become its headquarters.{{cite news |title=New County Buildings |url=https://search.findmypast.co.uk/search/british-newspapers |access-date=16 April 2023 |work=Falkirk Herald |date=17 January 1931 |page=7}} A large art deco extension was added to the rear of the house, opening in 1937.{{cite news |title=New County Buildings opened |url=https://search.findmypast.co.uk/search/british-newspapers |access-date=16 April 2023 |work=Falkirk Herald |date=8 May 1937 |page=4}} A new building called New Viewforth was built alongside the older premises in 1972, shortly before Stirlingshire County Council was abolished.{{cite web |title=Viewforth - Council Buildings Old and New |url=http://www.stirlingarchives.scot/2016/05/04/viewforth-council-buildings-old-new/?LMCL=XS88QY&LMCL=LRTK44 |website=Stirling Archives |access-date=16 April 2023 |date=4 May 2016}}

Between 1975 and 1996 the premises at Viewforth served as the headquarters of Central Regional Council, whilst Stirling District Council was based at the Municipal Buildings at 8–10 Corn Exchange Road in Stirling, which had been completed in 1918 for the old Stirling Town Council.{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB41105|desc= Municipal Buildings, 8-10 Corn Exchange Road, Stirling |access-date=16 April 2023}}{{London Gazette|issue=23961|page=798|date=29 March 1996|city=e}} On local government reorganisation in 1996 Stirling Council took over Viewforth. The 1972 building known as New Viewforth was demolished in 2014.{{cite news |title=Former Stirling Council building will vanish within weeks |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/perth-kinross/258150/former-stirling-council-building-will-vanish-within-weeks/ |access-date=16 April 2023 |work=The Courier |date=11 January 2014}}

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:

class="wikitable" style=text-align:center

!rowspan=2|Year

!rowspan=2|Seats

!width="80"|SNP

!width="80"|Conservative

!width="80"|Labour

!width="80"|Green

!width="80"|Liberal Democrats

!width="80"|Independent / Other

!rowspan=2|Notes

style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish National Party}}; width: 3px;" |

!style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Conservatives}}; width: 3px;" |

!style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Labour}}; width: 3px;" |

!style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Greens}}; width: 3px;" |

!style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Liberal Democrats}}; width: 3px;" |

!style="background-color: {{party color|Independent politician}}; width: 3px;" |

1995222713000align=left|
1999222911000align=left|New ward boundaries.{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Stirling (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1998|year=1998|number=3253|accessdate=16 April 2023}}
20032201012000align=left|
200722748030align=left|New ward boundaries.{{cite legislation Scotland|type=ssi|ssi=The Stirling (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2006|year=2006|number=376|accessdate=20 April 2023}}
201222948100align=left|
201723994100align=left|New ward boundaries.{{cite legislation Scotland|type=ssi|ssi=The Stirling (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2016|year=2016|number=288|accessdate=16 April 2023}}
202223876101align=left|Labour minority administration with Conservative support.
!

!style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish National Party}}; width: 3px;" |

!style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Conservatives}}; width: 3px;" |

!style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Labour}}; width: 3px;" |

!style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Greens}}; width: 3px;" |

!style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Liberal Democrats}}; width: 3px;" |

!style="background-color: {{party color|Independent politician}}; width: 3px;" |

!

=Wards=

File:Stirling UK ward map 2017 (blank).svg

The wards are:

class="wikitable sortable"
Ward
Number

! Ward Name

! Location

! Seats

1

|Trossachs and Teith

|100px

|3

2

|Forth and Endrick

|100px

|3

3

|Dunblane and Bridge of Allan

|100px

|4

4

|Stirling North

|100px

|4

5

|Stirling West

|100px

|3

6

|Stirling East

|100px

|3

7

|Bannockburn

|100px

|3

Communities

The area is divided into 42 community council areas, all of which have community councils as at 2023.{{cite web |title=About Community Councils |url=https://www.stirling.gov.uk/community-life-and-leisure/your-community/about-community-councils/ |website=Stirling Council |access-date=12 April 2023}}

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

{{div col end}}

Settlements

{{Location map+|Scotland Stirling

|caption={{left|The largest settlements in Stirling council area}}

|float=right

|width=500

|places =

{{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|56.1166|-3.9369|}}|position=left|label=Stirling|label_size=}}

{{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|56.183827|-3.967410}}|position=right|label=Dunblane|label_size=}}

{{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|56.09|-3.91|}}|position=left|label=Bannockburn|label_size=}}

{{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|56.155|-3.942|}}|position=left|label=Bridge of Allan|label_size=}}

{{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|56.24403|-4.21446|}}|position=left|label=Callander|label_size=}}

{{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|56.1037|-3.8762|}}|position=right|label=Fallin|label_size=}}

{{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|56.0805|-3.867|}}|position=right|label=Cowie|label_size=}}

{{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|56.19|-4.053|}}|position=left|label=Doune|label_size=}}

{{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|56.071775|-4.337256|}}|position=left|label=Balfron|label_size=}}

{{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|55.986|-4.306|}}|position=top|label=Strathblane|label_size=}}

{{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|56.3|-4.73|}}|position=left|label=Argyll and Bute|marksize=0|label_size=120}}

{{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|56.33|-3.9|}}|position=left|label=Perth and Kinross|marksize=0|label_size=120}}

{{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|56.15|-3.85|}}|position=right|label=Clack.|marksize=0|label_size=120}}

{{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|55.975|-3.9|}}|position=right|label=Falkirk|marksize=0|label_size=120}}

{{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|55.975|-4.115|}}|position=right|label=N.Lanark.|marksize=0|label_size=120}}

{{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|55.975|-4.270|}}|position=right|label=E.Dunb.|marksize=0|label_size=120}}

{{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|55.975|-4.580|}}|position=right|label=W.Dunb.|marksize=0|label_size=120}}

}}

File:Topo map Stirling Dunbartonshire.png

As well as the city of Stirling itself, there are many towns, villages and hamlets spread across the council area, as well as dispersed settlements.

Largest settlements by population:

class="wikitable sortable"

|+

!Settlement

!Population ({{Scottish settlement population citation|year}}){{Scottish settlement population citation}}

Stirling

|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Stirling}}

Dunblane

|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Dunblane}}

Bannockburn

|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Bannockburn}}

Bridge of Allan

|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Bridge of Allan}}

Callander

|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Callander}}

Fallin

|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Fallin}}

Cowie

|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Cowie}}

Doune

|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Doune}}

Balfron

|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Balfron}}

Strathblane

|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Strathblane}}

= Towns =

= Villages =

= Hamlets =

= Dispersed settlements =

Places of interest

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category|Stirling (council area)}}

  • [http://www.stirling.gov.uk/ Stirling Council] official website

{{Navboxes

| title = Stirling council area

| list =

{{Stirling Towns & Villages}}

{{Rugby union in Stirling}}

{{Lists of listed buildings in Stirling (council area)}}

{{Stirling elections}}

{{Wards of Stirling}}

}}

{{Scotland subdivisions}}

{{Former local government regions of Scotland}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Council areas of Scotland

Category:1975 establishments in Scotland

Category:States and territories established in 1975

Category:Districts of Scotland

Category:Central Region (Scotland)