Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

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**Comhairle nan Eilean Siar**
Council flag and logo
Council area: Na h-Eileanan Siar Shown as one of the council areas of Scotland
Administrative headquarters Stornoway
Control No party control
Website http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is the local government council for Na h-Eileanan Siar council area of Scotland.

It is the only local council in Scotland to have a Gaelic-only name. Western Isles Council was retracted in 1997 under the Local Government (Gaelic Names) (Scotland) Act 1997, meaning that the former Western Isles are now officially named Na h-Eileanan Siar, even in English-language contexts.

The council was created in 1975, 57 years after the creation of Na h-Eileanan an Iar for elections to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (the constituency being named, when created, Western Isles). Since 1999, there has been also the Western Isles constituency of the Scottish Parliament, with the same boundaries.

[edit] Elections

General elections to the council are held on a four year cycle. The next is due in 2007, polling on Thursday 3 May.

During the period since 1975, elections to the council have been by the first past the post system of election. At present, 31 councillors are elected by 31 single-member wards.

In 2007, under the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, the single transferable vote system, together with multi-member wards, will be used for the first time, each ward electing three or four councillors. This system is designed to produce a form proportional representation.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland is close to completing its final recommendations for new wards for all the council areas of Scotland.