2.2 Political administrations

Apart from the three Island authorities (Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar, Orkney Islands Council and Shetland Islands Council), councils in Scotland operate with political ‘administrations’. Your council may have a different name for this.

Administrations have no formal, legal functions or powers as set out in legislation, although a council’s own constitutional documents may set out some of their powers.

In general, they are formed in councils with political party groupings to provide three informal functions:

• Letting the electorate know who to hold accountable (i.e. which political group or groups are in control).
• Letting councillors know where power lies within the council.
• Letting council officers know where power lies within the council.

The single transferable vote (STV) electoral system used in Scotland’s local government elections means that it is uncommon for majority administrations to be formed with one political group. Usually, they require two or more political groups, or even some independent councillors, to form a coalition or partnership to have a majority of votes in the council. This allows that administration to appoint councillors to senior positions within the council (Leader of the Council, Provost, Convener/Chair, etc.), which come with additional responsibilities and remuneration.

Minority administrations can also be formed, where usually one or more political groups makes informal alliances with other groups or independent councillors. These informal alliances allow the administration to get key votes on appointments to senior positions through council, along with key policy and budgetary decisions.

If you choose to stand and are successful in being elected to a council on the mainland, you could become part of a political administration. This in turn could lead to you being given additional roles and responsibilities. This will affect the amount of time that you might need to spend on councillor duties, as well as the level of public scrutiny of you as a councillor.

You may find that you are not part of a political administration, often referred to as an ‘opposition’ or ‘non-administration’ councillor. This role will likely mean less influence in setting policy and providing political direction, with a greater emphasis on scrutinising the council’s decisions.