The 2012 Renfrewshire Council election took place on 3 May 2012 to elect members of Renfrewshire Council. The election used the eleven wards created as a result of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, with each ward electing three or four Councillors using the single transferable vote system a form of proportional representation, with 40 Councillors being elected.

Quick Facts All 40 seats to Renfrewshire Council 21 seats needed for a majority, First party ...

2012 Renfrewshire Council election

← 2007 3 May 2012 (2012-05-03) 2017 →
All 40 seats to Renfrewshire Council 21 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party Third party   Leader Mark MacMillan Brian Lawson James MacLaren Party Labour SNP Conservative Leader's seat Paisley Southwest Paisley East and Ralston Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank Last election 17 seats, 42.5% 17 seats, 42.5.5% 2 seats, 5% Seats before 19 16 1 Seats won 22 15 1 Seat change 5 2 1   Fourth party Fifth party   Leader Eileen McCartin Paul Mack Party Liberal Democrats Independent Leader's seat Paisley Southwest Paisley South Last election 4 seat, 10.0% 0 seat, 0% Seats before 1 0 Seats won 1 1 Seat change 3 1
Map of council wards
Council Leader before election Brian Lawson SNP Council Leader after election Mark MacMillan Labour

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The election saw the Scottish Labour Party gain five seats to regain an overall majority on the council that they had lost at the time of the 2007 Local Elections, while also significantly increasing their vote. The Scottish National Party remained in second place on the council but recorded a disappointing performance as the party lost two seats and saw a slight drop in its vote share. Both the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party and the Scottish Liberal Democrats declined in numbers to just one seat each. Meanwhile, Independent and former Labour Party member, Paul Mack, secured a seat on the council.

Following the election the Labour majority administration was formed. This replaced the previous SNP – Lib Dem coalition that had existed from 2007 to 2012.

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.

• † Renfrew South and Gallowhill Labour Cllr Eddie Grady died on 23 May 2016.^[1] A by-election was held on 11 August 2016 and the seat was won by the SNP's Jim Paterson.