2012 Moray Council election

Elections to the Moray Council were held on 3 May 2012, the same day as the other 31 local authorities in Scotland. The election used the eight wards created under the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, with 26 councillors being elected. Each ward elected either 3 or 4 members, using the STV electoral system.

The election saw the Scottish National Party increase their representation by 1 seat, equalling the seat numbers of the Independents who lost 2 seats, while becoming the largest party on the Council in terms of vote share. The Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party retained their 3 seats while the Scottish Labour Party gained an additional seat.

Following the election a coalition was formed between the Independents and the Conservatives which was a continuance of the arrangement from 2007 to 2012.

Previous election
The previous election in 2007 were the first in Moray to use the STV electoral system. The results in 2007 saw the traditionally Independent controlled council become a Independent-Conservative controlled council. The Independent group lost 4 seats, as the SNP gained 6, and the Conservative group gained 2. The Labour group lost 3, and the Liberal Democrats lost any representation on the council. Source:

Composition
There were 2 by-elections in the 2007-12 term. One by-election was in the Elgin City South ward, which resulted in an SNP gain from Independent. The other by-election was held in the Forres ward, which resulted in an Independent gain from Conservative. Source:

Summary of Results
Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes. The net gain/loss and percentage changes relate to the result of the previous Scottish local elections on 3 May 2007. This may differ from other published sources showing gain/loss relative to seats held at dissolution of Scotland's councils.

Speyside Glenlivet

 * 2007: 2xSNP; 1xIndependent
 * 2012: 2xSNP; 1xIndependent
 * 2007-2012 Change: No change

Keith and Cullen

 * 2007: 2xIndependent; 1xSNP
 * 2012: 2xIndependent; 1xSNP
 * 2007-2012 Change: No change

Buckie

 * 2007: 2xIndependent; 1xSNP
 * 2012: 2xIndependent; 1xSNP
 * 2007-2012 Change: No change

Fochabers Lhanbryde

 * 2007: 1xSNP; 1xCon; 1xIndependent
 * 2012: 1xCon; 1xSNP; 1xLab
 * 2007-2012 Change: Lab gain one seat from Independent

Heldon and Laich

 * 2007: 2xIndependent; 1xSNP; 1xCon
 * 2012: 2xIndependent; 1xSNP; 1xCon
 * 2007-2012 Change: No change

Elgin City North

 * 2007: 1xSNP; 1xLab; 1xIndependent
 * 2012: 2xSNP; 1xLab
 * 2007-2012 Change: SNP gain one seat from Independent

Elgin City South

 * 2007: 1xSNP; 1xLab; 1xIndependent
 * 2012: 1xLab; 1xCon; 1xSNP
 * 2007-2012 Change: Con gain from Independent

Forres

 * 2007: 2xIndependent; 1xSNP; 1xCon
 * 2012: 3xIndependent; 1xSNP
 * 2007-2012 Change: Independent gain one seat from Con

Aftermath
As no single political group on the council won enough seats for a majority, the Independent group and the Conservative group continued their coalition administration which had been in place since 2007.

Heldon and Laich by-election (2013)
Heldon and Laich SNP Cllr Carolle Ralph resigned her seat on 7 December 2012. The by-election was held on 7 March 2013 and was won by the Independent, John Cowe. 

Buckie by-election (2014)
Buckie Independent Cllr Anne McKay resigned her seat on 13 November 2013. A by-election was held on 30 January 2014 and was won by the Independent, Gordon Cowie. 

Elgin City North by-election
Elgin City North Labour Cllr Barry Jarvis resigned his seat on 26 September 2014 to train as a teacher. A by-election was held on 11 December 2014 and the seat was won by the SNP's Kirsty Reid.

Buckie by-election (2015)
Buckie Independent Cllr Joe Mackay died on 12 January 2015 after a fall from his mobility scooter. A by-election was held to fill the vacancy on 26 March 2015 and the seat was won by the SNP's Sonya Warren.

Heldon and Laich by-election (2015)
Heldon and Laich Independent Cllr Eric McGillivray announced on 31 July 2015 he was standing down from the council for personal reasons. A by-election was held on 1 October 2015 and the seat was won by the Independent Dennis Slater.