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 via the following link 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 a number of 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 2.51 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
Attendance increased by almost 10% on the previous year, this was in part due to the success of swimming lesson membership and increased attendance at dryside activities.  As new ways of delivering services are developed and SLLC adapts, in what continues to be challenging times, a reduction in the number of facilities operated may impact on overall attendance rates, however it is anticipated that attendance will be maintained at a site level.

Satisfaction with leisure facilities
The satisfaction rate for adults satisfied with leisure facilities within SLC is 66.7% a drop of 2% on 2022/23, although this remains only 0.3% below the Scottish average. It should be noted that residents completing the household survey may not be users the services. SLLC conducted a Customer Satisfaction Survey in 2023/24 to assess service delivery which focused on members – people who use leisure facilities in South Lanarkshire concluded 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).

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 – 2.45 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
Throughout 2023/24 there has been continued growth with an overall increase of 5% on the previous year. Customer behaviour has shown a positive move towards increased use of Outdoor Recreation and Country Parks services and attendance at programmed events.

SLLC manage the library service, all with ActiveIT Learning Centres (free internet access). We also provide 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 Low Parks Museum which includes 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 – 1.23 million

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

Why this mattersThis 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
Figures show a combined increase of over 21% and this can be broken down further:

• Library attendances have increased overall by 14% on 2022/23 with a continued shift of users to our online services, 52% of visits are now virtual. 
• Museums attendances have risen by over 67% on the previous year and again, with a sustained change in behaviour there is a large increase in our virtual customers.

Physical visitors have increased. However, the online collections, particularly the Cameronians website has been a major factor in the increase and proved very popular. A reduction in the number of facilities operated may impact on overall attendance rates, but it is anticipated that attendance will be maintained at a site level

Satisfaction with libraries and museums
The satisfaction rate for adults satisfied with library services within SLC is 69% and although a slight drop on 2022/23, this is 2% above the Scottish average of 67%. The satisfaction rate for adults satisfied with museum and galleries within SLC is 70.7%, 0.7% above the Scottish average 69.3%. It should be noted that residents completing the household survey may not be users of SLLC services. SLLC conducted a Customer Satisfaction Survey in 2023/24 to assess service delivery which focused on members – people who use the services concluded 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).

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 – 1.43 million

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

Why this matters
The aim is to get more and 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

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 SLLC are 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 council committees on progress against the Resource Plans. In addition, reports detailing progress against the Council Plan Connect Priorities are prepared. See Quarter 2 progress reports for further information.

More information on our outcomes can be found in the Council Plan Connect and also 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. At the core of the framework is an agreed suite of performance indicators. We report the results for these indicators, over time, on the website. Additionally, you can compare our LGBF results with other councils using the mylocalcouncil tool. Not all local authorities are alike and so family groups of eight ‘similar’ councils have been set up for comparison purposes. Workshops take place throughout the year to discuss the indicators and results – South Lanarkshire Council is actively involved in these discussions.

The information contained within this report reflects the position based on the data available at the time of publication (March 2025)