View source for Falkirk (council area)

{{Short description|Council area of Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                    = Falkirk
| native_name             = {{Unbulleted list
 |{{native name|gd|An Eaglais Bhreac}}
 |{{native name|sco|Fawkirk}}
 }}
| settlement_type         = [[Subdivisions of Scotland#Council areas|Council area]]
| image_skyline           = 
| imagesize               = 
| image_alt               = 
| image_caption           = 
| image_flag              = 
| flag_alt                = 
| image_shield            = Coat of Arms of Falkirk.svg
| shield_alt              = 
| shield_link             = 
| image_blank_emblem      = 
| blank_emblem_size       = 
| blank_emblem_type       = 
| blank_emblem_link       = 
| etymology               = 
| nickname                = 
| motto                   = 
| image_map               = Falkirk UK location map.svg
| map_alt                 = 
| map_caption             = Falkirk shown within [[Scotland]]
| coordinates             = {{coord|55.976|-3.797|region:GB_type:adm2nd|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type        = [[Sovereign state]]
| subdivision_name        = [[United Kingdom]]
| subdivision_type1       = [[Countries of the United Kingdom|Country]]
| subdivision_name1       = [[Scotland]]
| subdivision_type2       = 
| subdivision_name2       = 
| subdivision_type3       = [[Lieutenancy areas of Scotland|Lieutenancy area]]
| subdivision_name3       = [[Stirling and Falkirk]]
| subdivision_type4       = 
| subdivision_name4       = 
| established_title       = Unitary authority
| established_date        = [[Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994|1 April 1996]]
| established_title1      = 
| established_date1       = 
| established_title2      = 
| established_date2       = 
| named_for               = 
| seat_type               = Administrative{{nbsp}}HQ
| seat                    = 
| parts_type              = 
| parts                   = 
<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes    = <ref name="Council leadership">{{cite web |url=https://falkirk.gov.uk/services/council-democracy/ |title=Council & democracy |website=Falkirk Council |access-date=7 September 2024}}</ref>
| government_type         = [[Local government in Scotland|Council]]
| governing_body          = [[Falkirk Council]]
| leader_title            = [[Political make-up of local councils in the United Kingdom|Control]]
| leader_name             = {{UK council control|GSS=S12000014}}
| leader_title1           = 
| leader_name1            = 
| leader_title2           = 
| leader_name2            = 
| leader_title3           = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MPs]]
| leader_name3            = {{Collapsible list |title=3 MPs
 |[[Brian Leishman]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|L]])
 |[[Euan Stainbank]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|L]])
 |[[Kirsteen Sullivan]] ([[Labour and Co-operative Party|L]])
 }}
| leader_title4           = [[Member of the Scottish Parliament|MSPs]]
| leader_name4            = {{Collapsible list |title=2 MSPs
 |[[Michelle Thomson]] ([[Scottish National Party|SNP]])
 |[[Michael Matheson (politician)|Michael Matheson]] ([[Scottish National Party|SNP]])
 }}
<!-- Area -->
<!-- ALL fields with measurements have automatic unit conversion -->
| area_footnotes          = <ref name="popstats">{{UK subdivision statistics citation}}</ref>
| area_total_km2          = {{UK subdivision area|GSS=S12000014}}
| area_land_km2           = 
| area_water_km2          = 
| area_rank               = [[Subdivisions of Scotland#Council areas|{{Scottish council area rank|GSS=S12000014}}]]
<!-- Population -->
| population_footnotes    = <ref name="popstats" />
| population_as_of        = {{UK subdivision statistics year}}
| population_total        = {{UK subdivision population|GSS=S12000014}}
| population_rank         = [[Subdivisions of Scotland#Council areas|{{Scottish council population rank|GSS=S12000014}}]]
| population_density_km2  = {{UK subdivision density|GSS=S12000014}}
| population_demonym      = 
<!-- demographics (section 1) -->
| demographics_type1      = 
| demographics1_footnotes = 
| demographics1_title1    = 
| demographics1_info1     = 
<!-- demographics (section 2) -->
| demographics_type2      = 
| demographics2_footnotes = 
| demographics2_title1    = 
| demographics2_info1     = 
| timezone1               = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]
| utc_offset1             = +0
| timezone1_DST           = [[British Summer Time|BST]]
| utc_offset1_DST         = +1
<!-- Codes -->
| postal_code_type        = [[Postcodes in the United Kingdom|Postcode areas]]
| postal_code             = 
| area_code_type          = [[Telephone numbers in the United Kingdom|Dialling codes]]
| area_code               = 
| iso_code                = [[ISO 3166-2:GB|GB-FAL]]
| blank1_name             = [[GSS coding system|GSS code]]
| blank1_info             = S12000014
| website                 = {{URL|falkirk.gov.uk}}
}}

'''Falkirk''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|f|ɔː|l|k|ər|k}} {{respell|FAWL|kurk}}; {{langx|sco|Fawkirk}} {{IPA|sco|ˈfɔːkɪrk|}}; {{langx|gd|An Eaglais Bhreac}}) is one of 32 [[unitary authority]] [[council areas of Scotland]]. It was formed on 1 April 1996 by way of the [[Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994]] from the exact boundaries of Falkirk [[Regions and districts of Scotland|District]], one of three parts of the [[Central Region, Scotland|Central region]] created in 1975, which was abolished at that time. Prior to the 1975 reorganisation, the majority of the council area was part of the historic [[Counties of Scotland|county]] of [[Stirlingshire]], and a small part, namely [[Bo'ness]] and [[Blackness, Falkirk|Blackness]], was part of the former county of [[West Lothian]].

The council area borders with [[North Lanarkshire]], [[Stirling (council area)|Stirling]] and [[West Lothian]], and, across the [[Firth of Forth]] to the northeast, [[Clackmannanshire]] and [[Fife]]. The largest town is [[Falkirk]]; other settlements, most of which surround Falkirk within {{convert|6|miles}} of its centre, include Bo'ness, [[Bonnybridge]], [[Denny, Falkirk|Denny]], [[Grangemouth]], [[Larbert]], [[Polmont]], [[Shieldhill, Falkirk|Shieldhill]], [[Camelon]] and [[Stenhousemuir]].

The council is led by the SNP which won 12 seats in the [[2022 Falkirk Council election|2022 Council Election]]. The incumbent leader of is councillor Cecil Meiklejohn; the provost is Robert Bissett and the deputy provost is David Balfour.

==History==
The town of [[Falkirk]] was made a [[burgh]] in 1600, and was then governed by a town council (also known as the corporation) until 1975.<ref>{{cite web |title=Falkirk Burgh |url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10359442#tab02 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=2 March 2023}}</ref> Scotland's counties, [[burgh]]s and [[List of local government areas in Scotland (1930–1975)|landward districts]] were abolished in 1975 under the [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973]], and replaced with upper-tier [[Local government areas of Scotland (1975–1996)|regions]] and lower-tier [[Districts of Scotland|districts]]. A new Falkirk District was created as one of three districts within the [[Central Region, Scotland|Central Region]]. The new district was significantly larger than the old Falkirk burgh, covering the whole area of eight former districts and part of a ninth, which were all abolished at the same time:<ref name=1973act>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973|year=1973|chapter=65|accessdate=2 March 2023}}</ref>

''From [[Stirlingshire]]:''
*Central No. 2 [[List of local government areas in Scotland (1930–1975)|District]], excluding most of [[Kilsyth]] parish
*[[Denny and Dunipace]] [[Burgh]]
*Eastern No. 1 District
*Eastern No. 2 District
*Eastern No. 3 District
*[[Falkirk]] Burgh
*[[Grangemouth]] Burgh
''From [[West Lothian]]:''
*[[Bo'ness]] Burgh
*Bo'ness District

The resulting area could also be defined in terms of [[List of civil parishes in Scotland|parishes]] as:<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=16274|page=357|date=19 October 1945|city=e}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=16269|page=337|date=2 October 1945|city=e}}</ref>
*[[Airth]]
*[[Bo'ness|Bo'ness and Carriden]]
*[[Denny, Falkirk|Denny]]
*[[Dunipace]]
*[[Falkirk]]
*[[Grangemouth]]
*[[Kilsyth]]: [[Banknock]] polling district only
*[[Larbert]]
*Muiravonside
*[[Slamannan]]

The new district and its neighbour [[Stirling (council area)|Stirling]] were together made a new [[Stirling and Falkirk]] [[Lieutenancy areas of Scotland|lieutenancy area]]. The last [[Lord Lieutenant of Stirlingshire]] became the first [[Lord Lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk]].<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Lord-Lieutenants Order 1975|year=1975|number=428|accessdate=16 April 2023}}</ref>

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 area]]s. Central Region was abolished and each of the area's three districts, including Falkirk, became council areas.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994|year=1994|chapter=39|accessdate=2 March 2023}}</ref>

==Demography==
=== Languages ===
The 2022 Scottish Census reported that out of 154,082 residents aged three and over, 58,016 (37.7%) considered themselves able to speak or read the [[Scots language|Scots language]]. <ref>[https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/webapi/opentable?id=019a1a62-eab8-76fc-98d0-f7e8423a5077]</ref>"

The 2022 Scottish Census reported that out of 154,077 residents aged three and over, 1,481 (1%) considered themselves able to speak or read [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic]]. <ref>[https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/webapi/opentable?id=019a2022-ecdd-77ea-96ad-569f0c5b3786</ref>

==Settlements==
{{Location map+|Scotland Falkirk
 |caption={{left|The largest settlements in Falkirk}}
 |float=right
 |width=500
 |places =
{{Location map~|Scotland Falkirk|coordinates = {{coord|56.0011|-3.7835}}|position=left|label='''[[Falkirk]]'''|label_size=}}
{{Location map~|Scotland Falkirk|coordinates = {{coord|56.012|-3.717}}|position=left|label='''[[Grangemouth]]'''|label_size=}}
{{Location map~|Scotland Falkirk|coordinates = {{coord|56.01681|-3.60891}}|position=left|label='''[[Bo'ness]]'''|label_size=}}
{{Location map~|Scotland Falkirk|coordinates = {{coord|56.02291|-3.82602}}|position=left|label='''[[Larbert]]'''|label_size=}}
{{Location map~|Scotland Falkirk|coordinates = {{coord|56.028|-03.806}}|position=right|label='''[[Stenhousemuir]]'''|label_size=}}
{{Location map~|Scotland Falkirk|coordinates = {{coord|56.018|-3.907}}|position=left|label='''[[Denny, Falkirk|Denny]]'''|label_size=}}
{{Location map~|Scotland Falkirk|coordinates = {{coord|55.999|-3.887}}|position=left|label='''[[Bonnybridge]]'''|label_size=}}
{{Location map~|Scotland Falkirk|coordinates = {{coord|55.990785|-3.706423}}|position=left|label='''[[Polmont]]'''|label_size=}}
{{Location map~|Scotland Falkirk|coordinates = {{coord|55.980660|-03.716608}}|position=left|label='''[[Brightons]]'''|label_size=}}
{{Location map~|Scotland Falkirk|coordinates = {{coord|55.969956|-03.697666}}|position=bottom|label='''[[Maddiston]]'''|label_size=}}

<!-- Bordering council areas -->
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|coordinates = {{coord|56.3|-3.35|}}|position=left|label=''[[Stirling (council area)#Settlements|Stirling]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|coordinates = {{coord|56.41|-2.95|}}|position=left|label=''[[Clackmannanshire#Settlements|Clackmannanshire]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|coordinates = {{coord|56.28|-3.00|}}|position=right|label=''[[Fife#Settlements|Fife]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|coordinates = {{coord|56.02|-2.85|}}|position=right|label=''[[West Lothian#Settlements|West Lothian]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|coordinates = {{coord|56.03|-3.73|}}|position=right|label=''[[North Lanarkshire#Settlements|North Lanarkshire]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
}}

Largest settlements by population:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Settlement
!Population ({{Scottish settlement population citation|year}})<ref name="auto">{{Scottish settlement population citation}}</ref>
|-
|[[Falkirk]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Falkirk}}
|-
|[[Grangemouth]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Grangemouth}}
|-
|[[Bo'ness]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Bo'ness}}
|-
|[[Larbert]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Larbert}}
|-
|[[Stenhousemuir]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Stenhousemuir}}
|-
|[[Denny, Falkirk|Denny]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Denny}}
|-
|[[Bonnybridge]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Bonnybridge}}
|-
|[[Polmont]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Polmont}}
|-
|[[Brightons]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Brightons}}
|-
|[[Maddiston]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Maddiston}}
|-
|}

==Governance==
{{Infobox legislature
| name               = Falkirk
| native_name        =
| transcription_name =
| legislature        =
| coa_pic            = Falkirk Council.svg
| coa_res            = 150px
| house_type         =
| body               =
| houses             =
| leader1_type       = [[Provost (civil)|Provost]]
| leader1            = Robert Bissett
| party1             = <br>[[Scottish Labour|Labour]]
| election1          = 25 May 2022<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 25 May 2022 |url=https://www.falkirk.gov.uk/coins/viewDoc.asp?c=e%97%9Dc%90lz%89 |website=Falkirk Council |access-date=2 March 2023}}</ref>
| leader2_type       = [[Local government in Scotland#Leader of the Council|Leader]]
| leader2            = Cecil Meiklejohn
| party2             = <br>[[Scottish National Party|SNP]]
| election2          = 25 May 2017
| leader3_type       = [[Chief Executive]]
| leader3            = Kenneth Lawrie
| party3             = <!--Non political role-->
| election3          = August 2018<ref>{{cite web |title=New Chief Executive appointed |url=https://falkirk.gov.uk/news/article.aspx?aid=4513 |website=Falkirk Council | date=19 April 2018 |access-date=2 March 2023}}</ref>
| members            = 30 councillors
| house1             =
| house2             =
| structure1         = 
| structure1_res     = 250px
| political_groups1  =   
:{{Color box|{{party color|Scottish National Party}}|border=silver}} [[Scottish National Party|SNP]] (11)
:{{Color box|{{party color|Scottish Labour}}|border=silver}} [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] (9)
:{{Color box|{{party color|Scottish Conservatives}}|border=silver}} [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives]] (4)
:{{Color box|{{party color|Reform UK}}|border=silver}} [[Reform UK]] (1)
:{{Color box|{{party color|Independent politician}}|border=silver}} [[Independent politician|Independents]] (5)
| structure2         =
| structure2_res     =
| political_groups2  =
| committees1        =
| committees2        =
| joint_committees   =
| voting_system1     = [[Single transferable vote]]
| voting_system2     =
| last_election1     = [[2022 Falkirk Council election|5 May 2022]]
| next_election1     = 6 May 2027
| session_room       = 
| session_res        =
| meeting_place      = [[Falkirk]]
| website            = {{URL|www.falkirk.gov.uk}}
| footnotes          =
}}

===Political control===
The council has been under [[no overall control]] since 1999. The [[Scottish National Party]] formed a [[minority administration]] following the [[2017 Falkirk Council election|2017 election]], and continues to run the council as a minority administration following the [[2022 Falkirk Council election|2022 election]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Paterson |first1=Kirsty |title=No deal for Falkirk Council as SNP remain minority administration |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/no-deal-falkirk-council-snp-27064895 |access-date=26 August 2025 |work=Daily Record |date=26 May 2022}}</ref>

The first election to Falkirk 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:<ref name=compositions>{{cite web |title=Compositions Calculator |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/composition_calc.html |access-date=21 May 2025 |website=The Elections Centre |publisher=University of Exeter}} (Put "Falkirk" in search box to see specific results.)</ref>

'''Falkirk District Council'''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan="2"|Party in control!!Years
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1975–1977
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Scottish National Party}} || 1977–1980
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || 1980–1992
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1992–1996
|}

'''Falkirk Council'''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan="2"|Party in control!!Years
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || 1996–1999
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1999–
|}

===Leadership===
The role of [[Provost (civil)|provost]] is largely ceremonial in Falkirk. They chair full council meetings and act as the council's civic figurehead. Political leadership is provided by the [[Local government in Scotland#Leader of the Council|leader of the council]]. The leaders since 1996 have been:

{| class=wikitable
! Councillor !! colspan=2|Party !! From !! To
|-
| Willie Anderson<ref>{{cite news |title=The changing face of Scotland |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0000540%2F19960327&page=5 |access-date=25 August 2025 |work=The Scotsman |date=27 March 1996 |location=Edinburgh |page=5}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Graeme |title=Council leader quits post |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0000733%2F19961031&page=1 |access-date=26 August 2025 |work=Falkirk Herald |date=31 October 1996 |page=1}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|1 Apr 1996 || align=right|28 Oct 1996
|-
| John Connolly<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Graeme |title=All change at Falkirk Council |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0000733%2F19961107&page=9 |access-date=26 August 2025 |work=Falkirk Herald |date=7 November 1996 |page=9}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Scott |first1=Allan |title=Allies act: Opposition in bid to topple Labour |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0005628%2F20010223&page=3 |access-date=26 August 2025 |work=Linlithgow Gazette |date=23 February 2001 |page=3}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|5 Nov 1996 || align=right|28 Feb 2001
|-
| [[David Alexander (Scottish politician)|David Alexander]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Councillors' key posts |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0005628%2F20010309&page=7 |access-date=26 August 2025 |work=Linlithgow Gazette |date=26 August 2025 |page=7}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Falkirk Labour leader backs bid to rejoin COSLA fold |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/falkirk-labour-leader-backs-bid-to-rejoin-cosla-fold-2512985 |access-date=26 August 2025 |work=The Scotsman |date=1 June 2007}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish National Party}} || align=right|28 Feb 2001 || align=right|May 2007
|-
| Linda Gow<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 18 May 2007 |url=https://coins.falkirk.gov.uk/viewDoc.asp?c=e%97%9Df%8Eo |website=Falkirk Council |access-date=26 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Leader of Falkirk Council Linda Gow resigns |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8472143.stm |access-date=26 August 2025 |work=BBC News |date=21 January 2010}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|18 May 2007 || align=right|Jan 2010
|-
| Craig Martin<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 28 January 2010 |url=https://coins.falkirk.gov.uk/viewDoc.asp?c=e%97%9De%93j%80 |website=Falkirk Council |access-date=26 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Silvester |first1=Norman |title=Calls for probe into council boss jolly after company lodged multi-million pound planning application |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/calls-probe-council-boss-jolly-10554085 |access-date=26 August 2025 |work=Daily Record |date=4 June 2017}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|28 Jan 2010 || align=right|May 2017
|-
| Cecil Meiklejohn<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 24 May 2017 |url=https://coins.falkirk.gov.uk/viewDoc.asp?c=e%97%9Db%94i%81%8B |website=Falkirk Council |access-date=26 August 2025}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish National Party}} || align=right|25 May 2017 || align=right|
|}

===Composition===
Following the [[2022 Falkirk Council election|2022 election]] and subsequent changes of allegiance up to March 2025, the composition of the council was:<ref name=Thorncliffe>{{cite web |title=Falkirk |url=https://www.localcouncils.co.uk/councils/?council=falkirk |website=Local Councils |publisher=Thorncliffe |access-date=26 August 2025}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan=2| Party
! Councillors
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Scottish National Party}} || align=center|11
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=center|9
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Scottish Conservatives}} || align=center|4
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Reform UK}} || align=center|1
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Independent politician}} || align=center|5
|-
! colspan=2|Total
! align=center|30
|}

The next election is due in 2027.<ref name=Thorncliffe/>

===Premises===
From the district council's creation in 1975, it was based at the Municipal Buildings on West Bridge Street in Falkirk, which had been built for the former Falkirk Town Council and had been formally opened on 21 January 1966.<ref>{{cite web |title=Falkirk, West Bridge Street, Municipal Buildings |url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/369130/falkirk-west-bridge-street-municipal-buildings |website=Canmore |publisher=Historic Environment Scotland |access-date=3 March 2023}}</ref> The building was part of a complex which also included a courthouse, a clinic, and an events venue and theatre called Falkirk Town Hall. Prior to 1966 the town council had been based at the old Municipal Buildings at 12–14 Newmarket Street in the town centre, which had been built in 1879.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB31207|desc=Social Work Department (former Municipal Buildings) Newmarket Street |cat=C|access-date=3 March 2023}}</ref>

After deciding the 1966 building was uneconomic to repair and maintain, the council vacated the Municipal Buildings in 2020 pending their demolition.<ref>{{cite web |title=Common Good: Municipal Buildings |url=https://say.falkirk.gov.uk/tcc/common-good-municipal-buildings/ |website=Falkirk Council |access-date=3 March 2023}}</ref> The attached Falkirk Town Hall closed in 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Paterson |first1=Kirsty |title=Falkirk town hall set for demolition as councillors make final decision after consultation |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/falkirk-town-hall-set-demolition-29301688 |access-date=3 March 2023 |work=Daily Record |date=24 February 2023}}</ref> Since 2020, the council's offices have been distributed across several buildings throughout the area.<ref>{{cite web |title=Offices and Municipal Buildings |url=https://www.falkirk.gov.uk/places/ |website=Falkirk Council |access-date=3 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Paterson |first1=Kirsty |title=Falkirk Council: New town hall will be on Callendar Square site |url=https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/politics/council/falkirk-council-new-town-hall-will-be-on-callendar-square-site-4154822 |access-date=16 July 2023 |work=Falkirk Herald |date=23 May 2023}}</ref> It was subsequently decided to build a new headquarters on the site of the former Callendar Square shopping centre in central Falkirk. Work began on the site in May 2024, and the new building is projected to be completed in 2027.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Paterson |first1=Kirsty |title=Falkirk Town Hall: News welcomed of Callendar Square demolition to make way for new arts and civic building |url=https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/politics/council/falkirk-town-hall-news-welcomed-of-callendar-square-demolition-to-make-way-for-new-arts-and-civic-building-4605251 |access-date=30 July 2024 |work=Falkirk Herald |date=25 April 2024}}</ref>

==Elections==
{{main|Falkirk Council 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:<ref name=compositions/>

{| class="wikitable" style=text-align:center
!rowspan=2|'''Year'''
!rowspan=2|'''Seats'''
!width="80"|[[Scottish National Party|'''SNP''']]
!width="80"|[[Scottish Labour|'''Labour''']]
!width="80"|[[Scottish Conservatives|'''Conservative''']]
!width="80"|[[Independent politician|'''Independent / Other''']]
!rowspan=2|'''Notes'''
|-
!style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish National Party}}; width: 3px;" |
!style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Labour}}; width: 3px;" |
!style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Conservatives}}; width: 3px;" |
!style="background-color: {{party color|Independent politician}}; width: 3px;" |
|-
| [[1995 Falkirk Council election|1995]] || 36 || 8 || 23 || 2 || 3 || align=left|
|-
| [[1999 Falkirk Council election|1999]] || 32 || 9 || 15 || 2 || 6 || align=left|New ward boundaries.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Falkirk (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1998|year=1998|number=3254|accessdate=3 March 2023}}</ref>
|-
| [[2003 Falkirk Council election|2003]] || 32 || 9 || 14 || 2 || 7 || align=left|
|-
| [[2007 Falkirk Council election|2007]] || 32 || 13 || 14 || 2 || 3 || align=left|New ward boundaries.<ref name=2007order>{{cite legislation Scotland|type=ssi|ssi=The Falkirk (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2006|year=2006|number=392|accessdate=3 March 2023}}</ref>
|-
| [[2012 Falkirk Council election|2012]] || 32 || 13 || 14 || 2 || 3 || align=left|
|-
| [[2017 Falkirk Council election|2017]] || 30 || 12 || 9 || 7 || 2 || align=left|New ward boundaries.<ref name=2016order>{{cite legislation Scotland|type=ssi|ssi=The Falkirk (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2016|year=2016|number=275|accessdate=3 March 2023}}</ref>
|-
| [[2022 Falkirk Council election|2022]] || 30 || 12 || 9 || 5 || 4 || align=left|
|-
!
!
!style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish National Party}}; width: 3px;" |
!style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Labour}}; width: 3px;" |
!style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Conservatives}}; width: 3px;" |
!style="background-color: {{party color|Independent politician}}; width: 3px;" |
!
|}

===Wards===
[[File:Falkirk UK ward map 2017 (blank).svg|thumb|Map of the area's wards (2017 configuration)]]
For the purposes of elections to Falkirk Council, the area is divided geographically into a number of [[Wards of the United Kingdom|wards]] which then elect either three or four councillors each by the [[Single Transferable Vote]] system. The electoral system of [[local government in Scotland|local councils in Scotland]] is governed by the [[Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004]], an [[Act of Parliament|Act]] of the [[Scottish Parliament]] which first introduced [[proportional representation]] to councils. These electoral wards are as follows:<ref name=2016order/>
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Ward<br>number
! Name 
! Location
! Seats
|-
| 1
| [[Bo'ness and Blackness (ward)|Bo'ness and Blackness]]
| [[File:Boness and Blackness.svg|100px]]
| 3
|-
| 2
| [[Grangemouth (ward)|Grangemouth]]
| [[File:Grangemouth.svg|100px]]
| 3
|-
| 3
| [[Denny and Banknock (ward)|Denny and Banknock]]
| [[File:Denny and Banknock.svg|100px]]
| 4
|-
| 4
| [[Carse, Kinnaird & Tryst (ward)|Carse, Kinnaird and Tryst]]
| [[File:Carse Kinnaird and Tryst.svg|100px]]
| 4
|-
| 5
| [[Bonnybridge and Larbert (ward)|Bonnybridge and Larbert]]
| [[File:Bonnybridge and Larbert.svg|100px]]
| 3
|-
| 6
| [[Falkirk North (ward)|Falkirk North]]
| [[File:Falkirk North.svg|100px]]
| 4
|-
| 7
| [[Falkirk South (ward)|Falkirk South]]
| [[File:Falkirk South.svg|100px]]
| 3
|-
| 8
| [[Lower Braes (ward)|Lower Braes]]
| [[File:Lower Braes.svg|100px]]
| 3
|-
| 9
| [[Upper Braes (ward)|Upper Braes]]
| [[File:Upper Braes.svg|100px]]
| 3
|-
|}

==Communities==
The area is divided into 23 [[list of community council areas in Scotland|community council areas]], eleven of which have [[community council]]s as at 2023, being those with asterisks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Executive report, 17 January 2023 |url=https://www.falkirk.gov.uk/coins/viewDoc.asp?c=e%97%9Dc%90r%7C%8A |website=Falkirk Council |access-date=3 March 2023}}</ref>

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Airth|Airth Parish]]*
*[[Avonbridge]] and [[Standburn]]
*[[Banknock]], [[Haggs]] and [[Longcroft, Falkirk|Longcroft]]*
*[[Blackness, Falkirk|Blackness]]*
*[[Bonnybridge]]
*[[Bo'ness]]*
*[[Brightons]]*
*[[Camelon]], [[Bantaskine]] and [[Tamfourhill]]*
*[[Carron, Falkirk|Carron]] and [[Carronshore]]
*[[Denny, Falkirk|Denny]] and District*
*[[Falkirk]] Central
*Falkirk South
*Grahamston, Middlefield and Westfield
*[[Grangemouth]]*
*[[Langlees]], [[Bainsford]] and New Carron
*[[Larbert]], [[Stenhousemuir]] and [[Torwood]]
*Lower Braes
*[[Maddiston]]
*[[Polmont]]*
*[[Reddingmuirhead]] and [[Wallacestone]]*
*[[Shieldhill, Falkirk|Shieldhill]] and [[California, Falkirk|California]]
*[[Slamannan]] and [[Limerigg]]*
*[[Whitecross, Falkirk|Whitecross]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==

{{Navboxes
| title = Falkirk council area
| list =
{{Falkirk Towns & Villages}}
{{Rugby union in Falkirk}}
{{Falkirk elections}}
{{Wards of Falkirk}}
}}

{{Scotland subdivisions}}
{{Former local government regions of Scotland}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Falkirk (Council Area)}}
[[Category:Falkirk (council area)| ]]
[[Category:Council areas of Scotland]]
[[Category:Districts of Scotland]]
[[Category:Politics of Falkirk (council area)]]
[[Category:1975 establishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1975]]
[[Category:Central Region (Scotland)]]