The election used the eight wards, created under the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, with each ward electing three or four councillors using the single transferable vote system, form of proportional representation.

Following the 2012 election the Scottish National Party formed the administration on the Council.

Cllr Ian Gaul (Kirriemuir and Dean) was appointed Leader of the Council at the subsequent statutory meeting; Cllr Paul Valentine (Montrose) became Depute Leader; and Cllr Helen Oswald (Carnoustie and District) was elected Provost.

The net gain/loss and percentage changes relate to the result of the previous Scottish local elections on 3 May 2012.

This may differ from other published sources showing gain/loss relative to seats held at dissolution of Scotland's councils.