 After her brief term in Parliament, McElhone fought for election to Strathclyde Regional Council in Bellahouston-Mosspark division in a by-election in March 1985, and won with a majority of 1,632.She became vice-chairman of the Finance Committee in 1987, criticising the Government for reducing the rate support grant paid to councils.As a Regional councillor in 1989, McElhone pressed for the development of a sports and community centre on waste ground opposite Ibrox Stadium, persuading the council, Rangers F.C.