1974 Cunninghame District Council election

Prior to 1974, the area that was to become Cunninghame, was split between two counties – the County of Ayr and the County of Bute. Within that were six of the 17 burghs of the County of Ayr (Ardrossan, Irvine, Kilwinning, Largs, Saltcoats and Stevenston) and one of the two burghs of the County of Bute (Millport). These were all small burghs so the burgh council had limited powers which included some control over planning as well as local taxation, building control, housing, lighting and drainage with the rest of the local government responsibility falling to the county council. Following the recommendations in the Wheatly Report, the old system of counties and burghs – which had resulted in a mishmash of local government areas in which some small burghs had larger populations but far fewer responsibilities than some large burghs and even counties ==Results==

Saltcoats North Saltcoats East West Kilbride Arran ==Aftermath==

Cunninghame was one of 11 districts in the newly created Strathclyde region that was won by Labour. Independent candidates won five seats and the Conservatives took four. The remaining two seats were won by Moderates. Labour also won control of the regional council which held its first election on the same day. Across Scotland, Labour won the most votes, the most seats and the most councils of any party. ==Notes==