Strathclyde: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Former local government region of Scotland}} | {{Short description|Former local government region of Scotland}} | ||
{{About|the former administrative region}} | {{About|the former administrative region}} | ||
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{{Use | {{Use British English|date=April 2018}} | ||
{{Infobox historic subdivision | {{Infobox historic subdivision | ||
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| Image = Strathclyde Regional Council Logo.png | | Image = Strathclyde Regional Council Logo.png | ||
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| Map = [[File:Strathclyde Regional Council.svg|250px|Strathclyde within Scotland]] | | Map = [[File:Strathclyde Regional Council.svg|250px|Strathclyde within Scotland]] | ||
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'''Strathclyde''' ({{lang|cy|Ystrad Clud}} in [[Welsh language|Welsh]]; {{lang|gd|Srath Chluaidh}} {{IPA|gd|s̪t̪ɾa ˈxl̪ˠɯi|}} in [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic]], meaning 'strath [valley] of the [[River Clyde]]') was one of nine former [[Local government in Scotland|local government]] [[Regions and districts of Scotland|regions]] of [[Scotland]] created in 1975 by the [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973]] and abolished in 1996 by the [[Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994|Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994]]. The Strathclyde region had 19 [[Regions and districts of Scotland|districts]]. The region was named after the early medieval [[Kingdom of Strathclyde]] centred on [[Govan]], but covered a broader geographic area than its namesake. | '''Strathclyde''' ({{lang|cy|Ystrad Clud}} in [[Welsh language|Welsh]]; {{lang|gd|Srath Chluaidh}} {{IPA|gd|s̪t̪ɾa ˈxl̪ˠɯi|}} in [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic]], meaning 'strath [valley] of the [[River Clyde]]') was one of nine former [[Local government in Scotland|local government]] [[Regions and districts of Scotland|regions]] of [[Scotland]] created in 1975 by the [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973]] and abolished in 1996 by the [[Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994|Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994]]. The Strathclyde region had 19 [[Regions and districts of Scotland|districts]]. The region was named after the early medieval [[Kingdom of Strathclyde]] centred on [[Govan]], but covered a broader geographic area than its namesake by including [[Argyll]] and various [[Inner Hebrides|Western]] [[Islands of the Clyde|islands]] in addition to its Southwestern core. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
The Strathclyde region was created in 1975 under the [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973]], which established a two-tier structure of local government across Scotland comprising upper-tier regions and lower-tier districts. Strathclyde covered the whole area of six [[shires of Scotland|counties]] and parts of another two, which were all abolished for local government purposes at the same time:<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973|year=1973|chapter=65|accessdate=3 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1973/oct/22/new-local-government-areas|title=New Local Government areas|publisher=[[Hansard]]|date=22 October 1973 |access-date=4 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theglasgowstory.com/story/?id=TGSFG|title= Modern Times: 1950s to The Present Day > Neighbourhoods|author=Irene Maver|website=The Glasgow Story|access-date=4 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= | |||
The Strathclyde region was created in 1975 under the [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973]], which established a two-tier structure of local government across Scotland comprising upper-tier regions and lower-tier districts. Strathclyde covered the whole area of six [[shires of Scotland|counties]] and parts of another two, which were all abolished for local government purposes at the same time:<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973|year=1973|chapter=65|accessdate=3 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1973/oct/22/new-local-government-areas|title=New Local Government areas|publisher=[[Hansard]]|date=22 October 1973 |access-date=4 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theglasgowstory.com/story/?id=TGSFG|title= Modern Times: 1950s to The Present Day > Neighbourhoods|author=Irene Maver|website=The Glasgow Story|access-date=4 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/landscapes/glasgow/|title=Scotland's Landscape: City of Glasgow|publisher=BBC|access-date=4 November 2018}}</ref> | |||
*[[Argyll]] (except [[Ardnamurchan]] [[List of local government areas in Scotland (1930–1975)|District]] and the electoral divisions of [[Ballachulish]] and [[Kinlochleven]]) | *[[Argyll]] (except [[Ardnamurchan]] [[List of local government areas in Scotland (1930–1975)|District]] and the electoral divisions of [[Ballachulish]] and [[Kinlochleven]]) | ||
*[[Ayrshire]] | *[[Ayrshire]] | ||
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Politics in the region were dominated by the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]. The first regional council convener was the Reverend [[Geoff Shaw (minister)|Geoff Shaw]], who died in 1978. It was largely due to his leadership that the regional council forged its innovative strategy on [[Multiple deprivation index|multiple deprivation]], which remained its central commitment to the end of the region's life through "Social Strategy for the Eighties" (1982) and "SS for the 90s".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://publicadminreform.webs.com/|title=key papers|website=publicadminreform}}</ref> | Politics in the region were dominated by the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]. The first regional council convener was the Reverend [[Geoff Shaw (minister)|Geoff Shaw]], who died in 1978. It was largely due to his leadership that the regional council forged its innovative strategy on [[Multiple deprivation index|multiple deprivation]], which remained its central commitment to the end of the region's life through "Social Strategy for the Eighties" (1982) and "SS for the 90s".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://publicadminreform.webs.com/|title=key papers|website=publicadminreform}}</ref> | ||
The [[1974 Strathclyde Regional Council election|first election]] to Strathclyde Regional 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. Throughout the council's existence Labour held a majority of the seats:<ref name=compositions>{{cite web |title=Compositions | The [[1974 Strathclyde Regional Council election|first election]] to Strathclyde Regional 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. Throughout the council's existence Labour held a majority of the seats:<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 "Strathclyde" in search box to see specific results.)</ref> | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
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! Councillor !! colspan=2|Party !! From !! To | ! Councillor !! colspan=2|Party !! From !! To | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Geoff Shaw (minister)|Geoff Shaw]] || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|1975 || align=right|1978 | | [[Geoff Shaw (minister)|Geoff Shaw]]<ref name=DR13May1974>{{cite news |last1=Hyndman |first1=Bill |title=Peace as Labour pick top men |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0003741%2F19740513&page=15 |access-date=18 August 2025 |work=Daily Record |date=13 May 1974 |location=Glasgow |page=15}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Death of Geoff Shaw |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0005294%2F19780504&page=5 |access-date=18 August 2025 |work=Cumbernauld News |date=4 May 1978 |page=5}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|16 May 1975 || align=right|28 Apr 1978 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Charles O'Halloran || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|1978 || align=right|1982 | | Charles O'Halloran<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hill |first1=William |title=O'Halloran new convener |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0000540%2F19780505&page=10 |access-date=18 August 2025 |work=The Scotsman |date=5 May 1978 |location=Edinburgh |page=10}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Charles' Cafe |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0000566%2F19820418&page=7 |access-date=18 August 2025 |work=Sunday Post |date=18 April 1982 |location=Glasgow |page=7}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|May 1978 || align=right|May 1982 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| James Burns || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|1982 || align=right|1986 | | James Burns<ref>{{cite news |title=Local 'lads' line up as players do the honours |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0002750%2F19820514&page=22 |access-date=18 August 2025 |work=Wishaw Press |date=14 May 1982 |page=22}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=McIntyre |first1=Allan |title=Election joy for Labour |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0000473%2F19860515&page=3 |access-date=18 August 2025 |work=Motherwell Times |date=15 May 1986 |page=3}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|May 1982 || align=right|May 1986 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| James Jennings || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|1986 || align=right|1990 | | James Jennings<ref name=DR10May1986/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Briggs |first1=Steve |title=Struggle throws up new council leaders |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0005278%2F19900429&page=6 |access-date=18 August 2025 |work=Scotland on Sunday |date=29 April 1990 |location=Edinburgh |page=6}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|May 1986 || align=right|May 1990 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| David Sanderson || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|1990 || align=right|1994 | | David Sanderson<ref>{{cite news |last1=Forbes |first1=Allan |title=90 for the '90s |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0000540%2F19900510&page=4 |access-date=18 August 2025 |work=The Scotsman |date=10 May 1990 |location=Edinburgh |page=4}}</ref><ref name=OT19May1994>{{cite news |title=Adieu, Dr Sanderson |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0005085%2F19940519&page=13 |access-date=18 August 2025 |work=Oban Times |date=19 May 1994 |page=13}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|May 1990 || align=right|May 1994 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| William Perry || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|1994 || align=right|1996 | | William Perry<ref name=OT19May1994/><ref>{{cite news |title=Conference of faith |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0001713%2F19960302&page=4 |access-date=18 August 2025 |work=Paisley Daily Express |date=2 March 1996 |page=4}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|May 1994 || align=right|Mar 1996 | ||
|} | |} | ||
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! Councillor !! colspan=2|Party !! From !! To | ! Councillor !! colspan=2|Party !! From !! To | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Dick Stewart || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|1975 || align=right|1986 | | Dick Stewart<ref name=DR13May1974/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hyndman |first1=Bill |title=An act that nobody can follow |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0003741%2F19860501&page=22 |access-date=18 August 2025 |work=Daily Record |date=1 May 1986 |location=Glasgow |page=22}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|16 May 1975 || align=right|30 Apr 1986 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Charles Gray (Scottish politician)|Charles Gray]] || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|1986 || align=right|1992 | | [[Charles Gray (Scottish politician)|Charles Gray]]<ref name=DR10May1986>{{cite news |title=Winning team choose top two |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0003741%2F19860510&page=2 |access-date=18 August 2025 |work=Daily Record |date=10 May 1986 |location=Glasgow |page=2}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Gray ousted as leader of Strathclyde |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0000540%2F19920602&page=1&article=017&stringtohighlight=charles+gray+leader+strathclyde+regional+council |access-date=18 August 2025 |work=The Scotsman |date=2 June 1992 |location=Edinburgh |page=2}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|May 1986 || align=right|1 Jun 1992 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | Bob Gould<ref>{{cite news |last1=Robertson |first1=Joanne |title=Region's leader rules out home rule ballot |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0000540%2F19920605&page=6 |access-date=18 August 2025 |work=The Scotsman |date=5 June 1992 |location=Edinburgh |page=6}}</ref><ref name=Forbes>{{cite news |last1=Forbes |first1=Alan |title=Former railwayman who has to keep Glasgow on track |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0000540%2F19960328&page=6 |access-date=18 August 2025 |work=The Scotsman |date=28 March 1996 |location=Edinburgh |page=6}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|1 Jun 1992 || align=right|31 Mar 1996 | ||
|} | |} | ||
Bob Gould became the leader of the reformed [[Glasgow City Council]] on the abolition of the regional council in 1996.<ref name=Forbes/> | |||
===Elections=== | ===Elections=== | ||
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==Premises== | ==Premises== | ||
[[File:Glasgow Old High School statues - geograph.org.uk - 3401220.jpg|thumb|Main building of old High School (built 1846), became part of [[Nye Bevan House#Strathclyde House|Strathclyde House]], the council's headquarters.]] | [[File:Glasgow Old High School statues - geograph.org.uk - 3401220.jpg|thumb|Main building of old High School (built 1846), became part of [[Nye Bevan House#Strathclyde House|Strathclyde House]], the council's headquarters.]] | ||
The council initially rented offices called Melrose House at 19 Cadogan Street in Glasgow to act as an interim headquarters pending a decision being taken on a permanent headquarters. Various other offices around the centre of Glasgow were also used for additional office space, notably on India Street (the [[Glasgow City Chambers]] was not used by the regional administration and was instead the headquarters for the [[City of Glasgow (1975–1996)|Glasgow district]]). In 1976, the nearby former [[High School of Glasgow|Glasgow High School]] buildings at 94 Elmbank Street were vacated. The council converted the former school buildings to become its headquarters, using the school's dining room block of 1897 to become a council chamber, whilst using the India Street offices as additional accommodation.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=22413|page=1325|date=2 September 1988|city=e}}</ref> The remodelled school and neighbouring offices were formally opened by [[Elizabeth II]] on 2 November 1979, when the whole complex of eleven buildings was collectively renamed "[[Nye Bevan House|Strathclyde House]]".<ref>{{cite news |title=They'll meet the Queen |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=5 January 2023 |work=Wishaw Press |date=2 November 1979 |page=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Regional Convenor sends his message |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=5 January 2023 |work=Wishaw Press |date=28 December 1979 |page=1}}</ref> | The council initially rented offices called Melrose House at 19 Cadogan Street in Glasgow to act as an interim headquarters pending a decision being taken on a permanent headquarters. Various other offices around the centre of Glasgow were also used for additional office space, notably on India Street (the [[Glasgow City Chambers]] was not used by the regional administration and was instead the headquarters for the [[City of Glasgow (1975–1996)|Glasgow district]]). In 1976, the nearby former [[High School of Glasgow|Glasgow High School]] buildings at 94 Elmbank Street were vacated. The council converted the former school buildings to become its headquarters, using the school's dining room block of 1897 to become a council chamber, whilst using the India Street offices as additional accommodation.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=22413|page=1325|date=2 September 1988|city=e}}</ref> The remodelled school and neighbouring offices were formally opened by [[Elizabeth II]] on 2 November 1979, when the whole complex of eleven buildings was collectively renamed "[[Nye Bevan House|Strathclyde House]]".<ref>{{cite news |title=They'll meet the Queen |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=5 January 2023 |work=Wishaw Press |date=2 November 1979 |page=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Regional Convenor sends his message |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=5 January 2023 |work=Wishaw Press |date=28 December 1979 |page=1}}</ref> | ||
After the council's abolition several of the modern office buildings which made up Strathclyde House were gradually sold off for redevelopment.<ref>{{cite web |title=Property Services Committee minutes, 6 May 1998 |url=https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/councillorsandcommittees/viewDoc.asp?c=P62AFQ812U2UUTT1 |website=Glasgow City Council |access-date=5 January 2023}}</ref><ref>[https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/13303837.final-stage-of-demolition-of-strathclyde-regional-council-hq-begins/ Final stage of demolition of Strathclyde Regional Council HQ begins], Evening Times, 10 March 2015</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.insider.co.uk/news/site-former-nye-bevan-house-28044600|title=Site of former Nye Bevan House in Glasgow up for sale|date=21 September 2022|newspaper=Insider.co.uk|access-date=27 December 2022}}</ref> The old High School buildings, which are category A listed buildings, were used by [[Glasgow City Council]] as additional office space.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB33022|desc=120, Elmbank Street with 71-83 (odds) Holland Street and Lodges, 59, 61 Holland Street, gates and retaining walls|cat=A|access-date=5 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=High School building |url=https://www.theglasgowstory.com/image/?inum=TGSA02004 |website=The Glasgow Story |access-date=5 January 2023}}</ref> The council chamber there was briefly used in 2000 by the [[Scottish Parliament]], whilst its new permanent home at [[Scottish Parliament Building|Holyrood]] was under construction and the temporary buildings in [[Edinburgh]] were booked out.<ref>{{cite news |url= | After the council's abolition several of the modern office buildings which made up Strathclyde House were gradually sold off for redevelopment.<ref>{{cite web |title=Property Services Committee minutes, 6 May 1998 |url=https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/councillorsandcommittees/viewDoc.asp?c=P62AFQ812U2UUTT1 |website=Glasgow City Council |access-date=5 January 2023}}</ref><ref>[https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/13303837.final-stage-of-demolition-of-strathclyde-regional-council-hq-begins/ Final stage of demolition of Strathclyde Regional Council HQ begins], Evening Times, 10 March 2015</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.insider.co.uk/news/site-former-nye-bevan-house-28044600|title=Site of former Nye Bevan House in Glasgow up for sale|date=21 September 2022|newspaper=Insider.co.uk|access-date=27 December 2022}}</ref> The old High School buildings, which are category A listed buildings, were used by [[Glasgow City Council]] as additional office space.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB33022|desc=120, Elmbank Street with 71-83 (odds) Holland Street and Lodges, 59, 61 Holland Street, gates and retaining walls|cat=A|access-date=5 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=High School building |url=https://www.theglasgowstory.com/image/?inum=TGSA02004 |website=The Glasgow Story |access-date=5 January 2023}}</ref> The council chamber there was briefly used in 2000 by the [[Scottish Parliament]], whilst its new permanent home at [[Scottish Parliament Building|Holyrood]] was under construction and the temporary buildings in [[Edinburgh]] were booked out.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/601940.stm |title=Glasgow's miles better for parliament |work=BBC News |date=13 January 2000 |access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref> Glasgow City Council sold the old High School buildings in 2010 but a new use has yet to be found for them.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Burns |first1=Hamish |title=Grade A-listed former school is on the market with hotel and offices potential |url=https://www.insider.co.uk/news/grade-listed-former-school-market-20859839 |access-date=5 January 2023 |work=insider.co.uk |date=11 November 2019}}</ref> By 2024, all of the 1960s/70s-era buildings of the complex had been demolished; part of the site being used for a new headquarters building for [[Scottish Power]] whilst various residential developments have been proposed for the remainder. | ||
== Emergency services == | == Emergency services == | ||
Until April 2013, the area was also used as a police force area, covered by [[Strathclyde Police]], and a [[Fire services in Scotland|fire service]] area, covered by [[Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service]]. Both have now been replaced by single services ([[Police Scotland]] and [[Scottish Fire and Rescue Service]]).<ref>{{Cite web| url= https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/research-and-analysis/2016/06/evaluation-police-fire-reform-year-1-summary-report/documents/00502138-pdf/00502138-pdf/govscot%3Adocument/00502138.pdf| title= Evaluation of Police and Fire Reform: Year 1 Summary Report| publication-date= June 2016 |access-date = 19 May 2025}}</ref> | Until April 2013, the area was also used as a police force area, covered by [[Strathclyde Police]], and a [[Fire services in Scotland|fire service]] area, covered by [[Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service]]. Both have now been replaced by single services ([[Police Scotland]] and [[Scottish Fire and Rescue Service]]).<ref>{{Cite web| url= https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/research-and-analysis/2016/06/evaluation-police-fire-reform-year-1-summary-report/documents/00502138-pdf/00502138-pdf/govscot%3Adocument/00502138.pdf| title= Evaluation of Police and Fire Reform: Year 1 Summary Report| publication-date= June 2016 |access-date = 19 May 2025}}</ref> | ||
== Transport == | == Transport == | ||
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Originally known as [[ | Originally known as [[Strathclyde Partnership for Transport|Strathclyde Transport]] and later as SPT, a name still in use today. Strathclyde Transport managed transportation services for the region running rail services in strathclyde in partnership with [[ScotRail (British Rail)|British Rail]] and later the [[ScotRail (brand)|ScotRail Franchise]] holder. Strathclyde Transport also ran busses in the region under the brand [[Strathclyde Buses]] up until [[Bus deregulation in Great Britain|bus deregulation]] in 1986,<ref>{{cite web| url= https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN01534/SN01534.pdf| title= Buses: deregulation in the 1980s| access-date = 19 May 2025}}</ref> as well running the [[Glasgow subway]], the third oldest underground system in the world.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.spt.co.uk/125/ | title = Celebrating 125 years of Subway| access-date = 20 May 2025}}</ref> Strathclyde Transport also was involved in transport projects for the region some examples include: | ||
* The re-opening of the [[Argyle Line]]<ref name=RR214>{{Google books| ZVowDwAAQBAJ |Railway Renaissance: Britain's Railways after Beeching |page=PT214}}</ref> | * The re-opening of the [[Argyle Line]]<ref name=RR214>{{Google books| ZVowDwAAQBAJ |Railway Renaissance: Britain's Railways after Beeching |page=PT214}}</ref> | ||
Latest revision as of 18:41, 15 November 2025
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "about". Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Script error: No such module "infobox".Template:Wikidata imageScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Strathclyde (Script error: No such module "Lang". in Welsh; Script error: No such module "Lang". Script error: No such module "IPA". in Gaelic, meaning 'strath [valley] of the River Clyde') was one of nine former local government regions of Scotland created in 1975 by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and abolished in 1996 by the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994. The Strathclyde region had 19 districts. The region was named after the early medieval Kingdom of Strathclyde centred on Govan, but covered a broader geographic area than its namesake by including Argyll and various Western islands in addition to its Southwestern core.
History
The Strathclyde region was created in 1975 under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, which established a two-tier structure of local government across Scotland comprising upper-tier regions and lower-tier districts. Strathclyde covered the whole area of six counties and parts of another two, which were all abolished for local government purposes at the same time:[1][2][3][4]
- Argyll (except Ardnamurchan District and the electoral divisions of Ballachulish and Kinlochleven)
- Ayrshire
- Buteshire
- Dunbartonshire
- Glasgow
- Lanarkshire
- Renfrewshire
- Stirlingshire (part, being the burgh of Kilsyth, Western No. 3 District, the electoral division of Kilsyth West, and the polling district of Kilsyth East (Banton))
The region was named after the ancient British or Brythonic Damnonii Kingdom of Strathclyde. The kingdom had broadly covered the southern part of the local government region created in 1975, thus with the Argyll and Buteshire parts not having been within the ancient kingdom. Conversely, the kingdom had included areas further to the south, which were never part of the post-1975 Strathclyde (Dumfries and Galloway, as well as Cumbria in England).
Strathclyde Regional Council was responsible for education, social work, police, fire, sewage, strategic planning, roads, and transport. It employed almost 100,000 public servants, almost half of whom were teachers, lecturers and others in the education service.[5][6]
Strathclyde region was abolished in 1996 under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 which replaced regions and districts with unitary council areas. The region was divided into twelve council areas: Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City (created as City of Glasgow), Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, and West Dunbartonshire (created as Dumbarton and Clydebank)[7]
Geography
The Strathclyde region was on the west coast of Scotland and stretched from the Highlands in the north to the Southern Uplands in the south. It included some of the Inner Hebrides in the north-west but also contained Scotland's largest urban area of Glasgow. As a local government region, its population, in excess of 2.5 million, was by far the largest of the regions and contained half of the population of Scotland.[8]
Political control
Politics in the region were dominated by the Labour Party. The first regional council convener was the Reverend Geoff Shaw, who died in 1978. It was largely due to his leadership that the regional council forged its innovative strategy on multiple deprivation, which remained its central commitment to the end of the region's life through "Social Strategy for the Eighties" (1982) and "SS for the 90s".[9]
The first election to Strathclyde Regional 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. Throughout the council's existence Labour held a majority of the seats:[10]
| Party in control | Years | |
|---|---|---|
Template:Redirect category shell || 1975–1996 | ||
Leadership
The council had two main leadership roles: a convener who acted as ceremonial head and presided at council meetings, and a leader of the council to provide political leadership.
Conveners
| Councillor | Party | From | To | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geoff Shaw[11][12] |
Template:Redirect category shell || align=right|16 May 1975 || align=right|28 Apr 1978 | |||
| Charles O'Halloran[13][14] |
Template:Redirect category shell || align=right|May 1978 || align=right|May 1982 | |||
| James Burns[15][16] |
Template:Redirect category shell || align=right|May 1982 || align=right|May 1986 | |||
| James Jennings[17][18] |
Template:Redirect category shell || align=right|May 1986 || align=right|May 1990 | |||
| David Sanderson[19][20] |
Template:Redirect category shell || align=right|May 1990 || align=right|May 1994 | |||
| William Perry[20][21] |
Template:Redirect category shell || align=right|May 1994 || align=right|Mar 1996 | |||
Leaders
| Councillor | Party | From | To | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dick Stewart[11][22] |
Template:Redirect category shell || align=right|16 May 1975 || align=right|30 Apr 1986 | |||
| Charles Gray[17][23] |
Template:Redirect category shell || align=right|May 1986 || align=right|1 Jun 1992 | |||
| Bob Gould[24][25] |
Template:Redirect category shell || align=right|1 Jun 1992 || align=right|31 Mar 1996 | |||
Bob Gould became the leader of the reformed Glasgow City Council on the abolition of the regional council in 1996.[25]
Elections
Elections were held every four years.[10]
| Year | Seats | Labour | SNP | Liberal DemocratsTemplate:Efn | Conservative | Independent / Other | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="background-color: Template:Party color; width: 3px;" | | style="background-color: Template:Party color; width: 3px;" | | style="background-color: Template:Party color; width: 3px;" | | style="background-color: Template:Party color; width: 3px;" | | style="background-color: Template:Party color; width: 3px;" | | |||
| 1974 | 103 | 71 | 5 | 2 | 20 | 5 | |
| 1978 | 103 | 73 | 2 | 2 | 25 | 1 | |
| 1982 | 103 | 79 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 2 | |
| 1986 | 103 | 87 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 3 | |
| 1990 | 103 | 90 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | |
| 1994 | 104 | 86 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 2 | New ward boundaries.[26] |
| style="background-color: Template:Party color; width: 3px;" | | style="background-color: Template:Party color; width: 3px;" | | style="background-color: Template:Party color; width: 3px;" | | style="background-color: Template:Party color; width: 3px;" | | style="background-color: Template:Party color; width: 3px;" | |
District result maps
-
1982 results map
-
1986 results map
-
1990 results map
-
1994 results map
Premises
The council initially rented offices called Melrose House at 19 Cadogan Street in Glasgow to act as an interim headquarters pending a decision being taken on a permanent headquarters. Various other offices around the centre of Glasgow were also used for additional office space, notably on India Street (the Glasgow City Chambers was not used by the regional administration and was instead the headquarters for the Glasgow district). In 1976, the nearby former Glasgow High School buildings at 94 Elmbank Street were vacated. The council converted the former school buildings to become its headquarters, using the school's dining room block of 1897 to become a council chamber, whilst using the India Street offices as additional accommodation.[27] The remodelled school and neighbouring offices were formally opened by Elizabeth II on 2 November 1979, when the whole complex of eleven buildings was collectively renamed "Strathclyde House".[28][29]
After the council's abolition several of the modern office buildings which made up Strathclyde House were gradually sold off for redevelopment.[30][31][32] The old High School buildings, which are category A listed buildings, were used by Glasgow City Council as additional office space.[33][34] The council chamber there was briefly used in 2000 by the Scottish Parliament, whilst its new permanent home at Holyrood was under construction and the temporary buildings in Edinburgh were booked out.[35] Glasgow City Council sold the old High School buildings in 2010 but a new use has yet to be found for them.[36] By 2024, all of the 1960s/70s-era buildings of the complex had been demolished; part of the site being used for a new headquarters building for Scottish Power whilst various residential developments have been proposed for the remainder.
Emergency services
Until April 2013, the area was also used as a police force area, covered by Strathclyde Police, and a fire service area, covered by Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service. Both have now been replaced by single services (Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service).[37]
Transport
Script error: No such module "Multiple image". Originally known as Strathclyde Transport and later as SPT, a name still in use today. Strathclyde Transport managed transportation services for the region running rail services in strathclyde in partnership with British Rail and later the ScotRail Franchise holder. Strathclyde Transport also ran busses in the region under the brand Strathclyde Buses up until bus deregulation in 1986,[38] as well running the Glasgow subway, the third oldest underground system in the world.[39] Strathclyde Transport also was involved in transport projects for the region some examples include:
- The re-opening of the Argyle Line[40]
- The 1994 Strathclyde Tram proposal [41][42]
Strathclyde Transport also administered the ZoneCard integrated ticketing system as well as many other tickets to encourage intermodal travel and an integrated ticketing system, with Zonecard still remaining today. The SPT name is still in use today as a transport area, covered by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport. The area today is covered by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and previously Strathclyde Passenger Transport is smaller than the original region, as most of Argyll and Bute now lies outside its remit.
Sub-regions and districts
Except for Argyll and Bute and the City of Glasgow, the 19 districts were grouped to form 'sub-regions' or 'divisions', each named after a historic county. The Argyll and Bute district and the City of Glasgow district were sub-regions in their own right, and Argyll and Bute was named after two counties.[43]
| Sub-region | District or districts[44] | Composition in terms of counties, burghs, and other areas specified by the 1973 Act |
|---|---|---|
| Argyll and Bute | Argyll and Bute | In county of Argyll: burghs of Campbeltown, Dunoon, Inveraray, Lochgilphead, Oban, and Tobermory; and districts of Cowal, Islay, Jura and Colonsay, Kintyre, Mid Argyll, Mull, North Lorn except the electoral divisions of Ballachulish and Kinlochleven, South Lorn, and Tiree and Coll |
| Ayr | Cumnock and Doon Valley | In county of Ayr: burgh of Cumnock and Holmhead; and districts of Cumnock and Dalmellington except that part of parish of Ayr within this district and polling district of Coylton |
| Cunninghame | In county of Ayr: burghs of Ardrossan, Irvine, Kilwinning, Largs, Saltcoats, and Stevenston; districts of Irvine, Kilbirnie, and West Kilbride, and those parts of Irvine New Town within districts of Ayr and Kilmarnock
In county of Bute: burgh of Millport; and districts of Arran, and Cumbrae | |
| Kilmarnock and Loudoun | In county of Ayr: burghs of Darvel, Galston, Kilmarnock, Newmilns and Greenholm, and Stewarton; and district of Kilmarnock except that part of Irvine New Town within this district | |
| Kyle and Carrick | In county of Ayr: burghs of Ayr, Girvan, Maybole, Prestwick, and Troon; districts of Ayr except that part of Irvine New Town within this district, Girvan, and Maybole, that part of parish of Ayr within the district of Dalmellington; and polling district of Coylton | |
| Dunbarton | Bearsden and Milngavie | In county of Dunbarton: burghs of Bearsden and Milngavie; and that part of electoral division of Hardgate within parish of New Kilpatrick |
| Clydebank | In county of Dunbarton: burgh of Clydebank; and district of Old Kilpatrick except electoral divisions of Bowling and Dunbarton and that part of electoral division of Hardgate within parish of New Kilpatrick | |
| Cumbernauld and Kilsyth | In county of Dunbarton: burgh of Cumbernauld; electoral division of Croy and Dullatur and those parts of electoral divisions of Twechar and Waterside within Cumbernauld New Town
In county of Stirling: burgh of Kilsyth; electoral division of Kilsyth West; and polling district of Kilsyth East (Banton) | |
| Dumbarton | In county of Dunbarton: burghs of Dumbarton, Cove and Kilcreggan, and Helensburgh; districts of Helensburgh, and Vale of Leven; and electoral divisions of Bowling and Dunbarton | |
| Strathkelvin | In county of Dunbarton: burgh of Kirkintilloch; and those parts of the electoral divisions of Twechar and Waterside outwith Cumbernauld New Town
In county of Lanark: burgh of Bishopbriggs; and electoral divisions of Chryston and Stepps | |
| Glasgow | City of Glasgow | County of city of Glasgow
In county of Lanark: burgh of Rutherglen;[45] and parts of the Eighth district (electoral divisions of Bankhead, Cambuslang Central, Cambuslang North, Hallside, and Rutherglen, and those parts of Cambuslang South and Carmunnock electoral divisions outwith East Kilbride New Town) and the Ninth district (electoral divisions of Baillieston, Garrowhill, Mount Vernon and Carmyle, and Springboig) |
| Lanark | Clydesdale | In county of Lanark: burghs of Biggar, and Lanark; and First, Second, and Third districts |
| East Kilbride | In county of Lanark: burgh of East Kilbride; in Fourth district, electoral division of Avondale and, in Eighth district, those parts of High Blantyre, Cambuslang South, and Carmunnock electoral divisions within East Kilbride New Town | |
| Hamilton | In county of Lanark: burgh of Hamilton; Fourth district except electoral division of Avondale, in the Sixth district, electoral divisions of Bothwell and Uddingston South, and Uddingston North and, in Eighth district, electoral divisions of Blantyre, and Stonefield, and that part of High Blantyre electoral division outwith East Kilbride New Town. | |
| Monklands | In county of Lanark: burghs of Airdrie, and Coatbridge; Ninth district except electoral divisions of Baillieston, Chryston, Garrowhill, Mount Vernon and Carmyle, Springboig, and Stepps and, in Seventh district, electoral division of Shottskirk | |
| Motherwell | In county of Lanark: burgh of Motherwell and Wishaw; Sixth district except electoral divisions of Bothwell and Uddingston South, and Uddingston North and Seventh district except electoral division of Shottskirk | |
| Renfrew | Eastwood | In county of Renfrew: First district |
| Renfrew | In county of Renfrew: burghs of Barrhead, Johnstone, Paisley, and Renfrew; and Second, Third, and Fourth districts | |
| Inverclyde | In county of Renfrew: burghs of Gourock, Greenock, Port Glasgow; and Fifth district |
Successor Council Areas
| Council area | Composition in terms of districts and other areas specified by the 1994 Act |
|---|---|
| Argyll and Bute | Argyll and Bute district and part of Dumbarton district (Helensburgh (7) regional electoral division and part of Vale of Leven (8) regional electoral division) |
| East Ayrshire | Kilmarnock and Loudoun and Cumnock and Doon Valley districts |
| East Dunbartonshire | Bearsden and Milngavie district and part of Strathkelvin district (Kirkintilloch (43), Strathkelvin North (44) and Bishopbriggs (45) regional electoral divisions and South Lenzie/Waterside district ward) |
| East Renfrewshire | Eastwood district and part of Renfrew district (Barrhead (79) regional electoral division) |
| Glasgow City (created as City of Glasgow) | City of Glasgow district except Rutherglen/Fernhill (37) and Cambuslang/Halfway (38) regional electoral divisions and part of King's Park/Toryglen (35) regional electoral division |
| Inverclyde | Inverclyde district |
| North Ayrshire | Cunninghame district |
| North Lanarkshire | Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Monklands, Motherwell districts and part of Strathkelvin district (Chryston (46) regional electoral division except South Lenzie/Waterside district ward) |
| Renfrewshire | Renfrew district except Barrhead (79) regional electoral division |
| South Ayrshire | Kyle and Carrick district |
| South Lanarkshire | Clydesdale, East Kilbride, and Hamilton districts and part of City of Glasgow district (Rutherglen/Fernhill (37) and Cambuslang/Halfway (38) regional electoral divisions and part of King's Park/Toryglen (35) regional electoral division) |
| West Dunbartonshire (created as Dumbarton and Clydebank) | Clydebank and part of Dumbarton (Dumbarton (6) regional electoral division and part of Vale of Leven (8) regional electoral division) |
See also
- Glasgow (European Parliament constituency)
- Strathclyde East (European Parliament constituency)
- Strathclyde West (European Parliament constituency)
- Strathclyde Park, in Motherwell, created during the era
- University of Strathclyde, in Glasgow
References
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- ↑ A cry of 'Gerrymander' as Strathclyde is axed, The Independent, 18 July 1993
- ↑ Region hands over reins after 21 years, The Herald, 18 March 1996
- ↑ Template:Cite legislation UK
- ↑ Strathclyde, Undiscovered Scotland
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- ↑ Final stage of demolition of Strathclyde Regional Council HQ begins, Evening Times, 10 March 2015
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- ↑ Template:Historic Environment Scotland
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- ↑ Various district names are not those given in the 1973 Act, but were chosen, under the same act, by the district councils themselves soon after their creation
- ↑ People power kept the heart of a burgh beating, Daily Record, 19 April 2021
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External links
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- Pages with script errors
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- Regions of Scotland
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- Politics of Glasgow
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- Politics of East Renfrewshire
- Politics of East Dunbartonshire
- Politics of Argyll and Bute
- Politics of Inverclyde
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