Fife Council is divided into 22 electoral wards and elections are administered centrally, through the Election Office.
A by-election can happen due to a vacancy arising, for example the death or resignation of an elected representative. It can take place during any of the ordinary local government electoral cycles and is subject to the same statutory timetable and provisions.
Election of a Councillor for Ward 1 – West Fife and Coastal Villages
A local government by-election was held on Thursday 28th November 2024 to fill a vacancy in Ward 1. This followed the resignation Councillor Graeme Downie (Scottish Labour Party). Please see the Results section below for more information.
The system of voting for this election was the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system. For more information about the Single Transferable Vote system, please refer to the video below.
Local Government by-election information
The West Fife and Coastal Villages by-election will be held on Thursday 28th November 2024.
The Improvement Service has created a website for prospective candidates with information about the role of a councillor, including what councillors do and what’s expected of a councillor. There are also videos and short stories of councillors from across Scotland detailing why they became a councillor, the difference they make, and their advice if you are thinking of standing.
If you wish to stand as a candidate at this by-election, you will find more information on the nomination process below.
Back To TopInclusion Scotland run an Access to Elected Office fund that provides financial assistance to disabled candidates standing for election. It can help with the extra costs you may incur as a result of your disability.
For more information about applying for funding, visit the Inclusion Scotland website.
Back To TopFor information on standing as a candidate, please visit the Electoral Commission’s website where you will find a range of guidance and resources for candidates and agents.
If you wish to stand for election as a candidate in this by-election, you can download a nomination pack and the Returning Officers local guidance notes below:
Alternatively, you can contact the Election Office at election.enquiries@fife.gov.uk to request a pack to be sent to you.
The Notice of Election will be published on Monday 14th October 2024. Nominations will be accepted by the Returning Officer between 10am and 4pm on any working day from Tuesday 15th October 2024. Candidates are requested to contact the Election Office to make an appointment for the delivery of nomination papers.
The deadline for submission of nomination papers is 4pm on Monday 28th October 2024.
The Returning Officer will hold a meeting with candidates and agents after the close of nominations on Monday 4th November 2024 at 6pm to discuss the local arrangements for holding the poll. This meeting will be via Teams and invitations to candidates and agents will be issued after the deadline for receipt of nominations.
Back To Top| Event | Working days before poll (deadline if not midnight) | Date (deadline if not midnight) |
|---|---|---|
| Publish Notice of Election | 33 | Monday 14th October 2024 |
| Deadline for the delivery of nomination papers | 23 | No later than 4pm on Monday 28th October 2024 |
| Deadline for withdrawal of nomination | 23 | No later than 4pm on Monday 28th October 2024 |
| Deadline for notification of appointment of election agents | 23 | No later than 4pm on Monday 28th October 2024 |
| Publication of Notice of Poll/Statement of Persons Nominated/Situation of Polling Places | 23 | As soon as possible after 4pm on Monday 28th October 2024 |
| Publication of First Interim Election Notice of Alteration | 23 | Monday 28th October 2024 |
| Registration deadline | 12 | Midnight on Tuesday 12th November 2024 |
| Publication of Second Interim Election Notice of Alteration | 11 | Wednesday 13th November 2024 |
| Deadline for new postal vote applications and for changes to existing postal and proxy votes | 11 | No later than 5pm on Monday 18th November 2024 |
| Deadline for new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy), except for medical emergencies | 6 | No later than 5pm on Wednesday 20th November 2024 |
| Deadline for notifications of appointment of polling and counting agents | 5 | Thursday 21st November 2024 |
| Publication of Final Interim Election Notice of Alteration | 5 | Thursday 21st November 2024 |
| First date that electors can apply for replacements for lost postal votes | 4 | Friday 22nd November 2024 |
| Polling Day | 0 | 7am to 10pm on Thursday 28th November 2024 |
| Deadline for emergency proxy applications | 0 | No later than 5pm on Thursday 28th November 2024 |
| Last time to alter the register due to clerical error or court appeal | 0 | No later than 9pm on Thursday 28th November 2024 |
| Last time for re-issue for spoilt or lost postal votes | 0 | No later than 10pm on Thursday 28th November 2024 |
| eCount | +1 | From 10am on Friday 29th November 2024 |
| Last day to submit election spending returns | +35 | Friday 3rd January 2025 |
The deadline to register to vote for this by-election is midnight on Tuesday 12th November 2024. You can register online at www.gov.uk/registertovote.
Back To TopThe deadline to apply for a new postal vote or to amend (including amending a postal vote to a proxy vote) or to cancel an existing postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday 13th November 2024.
Postal Votes for this election will be issued around 18th November 2024. If you have lost or not received your postal vote by Friday 22nd November 2024, please contact the Returning Officer for a replacement. By law, the Returning Officer cannot begin to replace postal votes until Friday 22nd November 2024.
If you are likely to be away during the election period
You may want to consider appointing a proxy for this election instead of applying for a postal vote as the Returning Officer cannot guarantee delivery before you go away.
Back To TopIf you wish to attend the count, complete the media accreditation application form before midnight on 21st November 2024.
We will be unable to process requests or make changes after this date.
Back To TopThe counting of votes cast will happen electronically on the morning of Friday 29th November, from 10am. The results of the poll will be published directly after the completion of the count.
Back To TopOne councillor to be elected.
The electorate is: 13,577
The ward turnout was: 19.8%
Winning candidate
- Karen Beaton, Scottish Labour Party
All candidates
| Candidate | Party | Elected at stage | First Preference Votes received |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaton, Karen | Scottish Labour Party | 7 | 881 |
| Buchan-Quigley, Paul | Scottish Liberal Democrats | 227 | |
| McCowan, Fiona | Scottish Greens | 128 | |
| Morton, George | Independent | 64 | |
| Ross, David | Scottish Conservative and Unionist | 426 | |
| Smith, Danny | Scottish Family Party | 53 | |
| Steele, Paul | Scottish National Party | 879 |
Declaration of Results Report – Ward 1 West Fife and Coastal Villages
Candidates Votes per Stage Report – Ward 1 West Fife and Coastal Villages
First Preference Report – Ward 1 West Fife and Coastal Villages
Preference Summary Report – Ward 1 West Fife and Coastal Villages
Transfers Report – Ward 1 West Fife and Coastal Villages
Preferences by Ballot Box Report – Ward 1 West Fife and Coastal Villages
Preference Profile Report – Ward 1 West Fife and Coastal Villages
Back To TopVisit our Local by-election 2024 FAQs page if you have any further questions.
| Contact details | |
|---|---|
| Address | Election Office Fife House North Street Glenrothes KY7 5LT |
| elections.enquiries@fife.gov.uk | |
| Telephone | 03451 55 55 55 Ext 445303 |
