Public performance reports

The council has an important role to play in promoting the health, wellbeing, and learning environment of the population of South Lanarkshire. This is achieved through the provision of community learning and recreational activities within our museums, libraries and arts centres, and through the promotion of healthier lifestyles via our sports and leisure centres and outdoor recreation. These services are delivered by South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SLLC), which was set up in 2010 to operate leisure and culture services on behalf of the council.

More information about SLLC, including the SLLC Annual Report, can be found at SLLC - About us.

SLLC is responsible for the operation and management of indoor leisure facilities, including swimming pools, an ice rink, and athletics tracks. Through its development work, the service aims to increase opportunities for individuals to get engaged in physical activity. This is achieved through working in local schools and communities, in partnership with clubs, volunteers, sports councils and national governing bodies.

There are several indicators collected and reported that show the extent to which our facilities are being used:

Attendance at facilities managed by the Sport and Physical Activity section of SLLC – Target 2.76 million

What this means
This indicator shows the attendance figures at facilities managed by the Sport and Physical Activity section of SLLC – this includes swimming pools and other indoor sports and leisure facilities.

Why this matters
This indicator measures the extent to which the council is achieving its aim of encouraging everyone to participate in activities which will lead them to a healthier lifestyle, and which will ultimately have a positive impact on the health outcomes of the residents and visitors of South Lanarkshire.

Our performance and how we compare

How we have performed in improving this public service
Unfortunately, due to long-term maintenance issues which restricted the swimming lesson programme and impacted on bookable spaces for events and classes, we saw a drop in attendance of 5.4%. However, these issues are now resolved, and full programmes have resumed. Therefore attendance in 2025-26 is expected to recover.

Satisfaction with leisure facilities
The satisfaction rate for adults satisfied with leisure facilities within SLC is 66.3%, a small drop of 0.4% on 2023-24; however, South Lanarkshire remains above (better than) the Scottish average (65%). It is noted that residents completing the household survey (the source of the data) may not be users of our services and are giving a perceived view, rather than one based on actual experience. SLLC conducted a customer satisfaction survey throughout 2024-25 to assess actual service delivery and concluded an overall satisfaction rate of 94% with our leisure facilities (combined score for value for money/cleanliness/quality of services and equipment).

Outdoor recreation and country parks
SLLC is also responsible for outdoor country parks and outdoor learning and adventure, including sports pitches, an indoor synthetic pitch, bowling greens, golf courses, a water sports centre and seasonal activities.

Attendance at Outdoor Recreation and Country Parks services

Target – 2.57 million

What this means
This indicator shows attendance figures at the council’s outdoor recreation and country parks service.

Why this matters
This indicator measures the extent to which the council is achieving its aim of getting more and more people taking part in sporting and leisure activities.

Our performance and how we compare

How we have performed in improving this public service
Outdoor recreation and country parks attendance has increased by 13% overall (outdoor recreation increased by 11.6%, outdoor learning and adventure by 13%, and our country parks by 14.5%), in part due to the success of our regular market and special events programmes.

SLLC manage the library services, all with ActiveIT Learning Centres (free internet access), as well as providing reference and enquiry services, family history and genealogy resources, and online library services.  Working in partnership with key stakeholders to improve the learning experience for children and young people, the service makes a significant contribution to the Curriculum for Excellence agenda. 

SLLC directly manages the Low Parks Museum, which includes the Hamilton Mausoleum. However, like the library service, the work of the museum service extends further than this: from working closely with schools in the provision of learning programmes and activities off-site, to informal learning opportunities provided through holiday activities, family activities, adult learning and special events. The museum collection includes 150,000 objects which feature in temporary and permanent exhibitions, including our online collection, which has almost 14,000 object records.

Number of library and museum visits

Target – 1.73 million

What this means
This indicator shows the extent to which library and museum services are reaching their potential service users.

Why this matters
This indicator measures the extent to which the council is achieving its aim of encouraging everyone to take part in cultural or learning activities which make them feel better, sometimes healthier, but always happier.  Learning is not confined to classrooms or educational establishments. It can take place in museums and libraries.

Our performance and how we compare

How we have performed in improving this public service
Overall attendances increased by 9.4%. Although physical visits remained static, growth continued to be driven primarily by our virtual services. This represents a strong performance, particularly as the reduction in our library estate has had minimal impact on customers.

Satisfaction with libraries and museums
The satisfaction rate for adults satisfied with library services within SLC is 68.7% and although a slight drop on 2023-24, this is 3.4% above the Scottish average of 65.3%. The satisfaction rate for adults satisfied with museum and galleries within SLC is 70%, 3% above the Scottish average of 67%. It should be noted that residents completing the household survey may not be users of SLLC services. SLLC conducted a Customer Satisfaction Survey in 2024-25 to assess service delivery in libraries which focused on members. People who use the services concluded library staff were excellent, scoring 98% and gave an overall satisfaction rate of 94% (combined score for value for money/cleanliness/quality of services and equipment). Similarly, the overall satisfaction rate with the museum service also scored 94% (combined score for value for money/cleanliness/quality of services and equipment).

SLLC is responsible for the management of cultural venues, including: The Town House Hamilton, Rutherglen Town Hall, East Kilbride Arts Centre, Village Theatre East Kilbride, and Lanark Memorial Hall. As well as the major venues, SLLC manages community halls and centres, community wings, community-managed halls and integrated community facilities.

Attendances at cultural venues – 1.64 million

What this means
This indicator measures attendance at cultural venues, including halls, schools and venues.

Why this matters
The aim is to get more people taking part in cultural activities which make them feel better, sometimes healthier, but always happier. By taking part, individuals can become more creative, healthy and enthused.

Our performance and how we compare

How we have performed in improving this public service
Overall attendance increased by 9.1%. School attendance rose significantly by 33.2%, while venue usage increased by 4.5%. Community hall attendances declined by 3.4%, which was expected due to the transition of several halls to community ownership.

Performance is generally measured through a programme of internal auditing, through general customer feedback, customer satisfaction surveys and via the more formal ‘Have Your Say’ comments and complaints policy. Excellent communication processes are imperative to ensure that SLLC is fully aware of customer needs and expectations to allow the appropriate service delivery moving forward. Health and Safety updates/visits continue to be undertaken to ensure standards are maintained, and services are safe to operate.

SLLC has developed a new strategy for 2022-2027. This strategy will complement the Council Plan Connect, which outlines the council’s priorities and outcomes for 2022-27.

• SLLC - About us
• SLLC Annual Report 
• South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture Strategy

In addition to the above key SLLC documents, Resource Plans are prepared each year by all Resources to outline the key developments they intend to take forward in the year. Strategic actions relating to leisure and culture services can be found in the Community and Enterprise Resource Plan.

Twice a year, performance reports are presented to Resource committees on progress against the Resource Plans. In addition, reports detailing progress against the Council Plan Connect Priorities are prepared - see Quarter 2 and Quarter 4 progress reports for further information.

More information on our outcomes can be found in the Council Plan Connect and the Annual Performance Spotlights.

Local Government Benchmarking Framework (LGBF) allows councils to work together, to use performance information in a way which will help understand variations, share knowledge, expertise and good practice, with a view to making improvements. For more information and links relating to this framework, go to the 'Benchmarking' paragraph on the Improvement and how we compare page on our website.

The information contained within this report reflects the position based on the data available at the time of publication (March 2026).