Public performance reports

The council has many assets, not only its operational offices and buildings, but also housing, land, roads, vehicles, infrastructure (for example, roads) and equipment (for example, computers). We recognise that delivering quality services, meeting our objectives and providing best value relies on the good management of our assets. This includes:

• A property portfolio which is suitable for the council's needs in terms of scale, condition, location, suitability and corporate image. This is based on the Corporate Standard that property should be in good condition, well maintained, well used and energy and cost efficient.
• An appropriate supply of good quality energy efficient housing which is well managed and well maintained and meets the needs of the tenants and the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS).  
• A well-maintained roads network which meets the needs of the residents and communities and promotes economic growth and the preservation of rural communities. For more information see our Roads and lighting report.
• Good management of our fleet of vehicles to ensure services are well supported and the use of vehicles is cost effective and sustainable
• Efficient and effective Information Technology systems to support service delivery and ensure we are achieving value for money. 

The council produces a Corporate Asset Management Plan covering all asset categories; namely housing, fleet, roads and ICT. For more information see our Corporate Asset Management pages on the council's website.

The Council continues to deliver a Property Investment Programme, investing £21.6m in properties in 2023/24, of which £13.6m, was spent on delivery of the education programme.

We continue to work in partnership with local disability groups and other public organisations to design buildings in a way which makes them suitable for everyone to use. Assets will be suitable for both current and future service delivery in terms of design, location, accessibility and security.

How we have performed in improving this public service
Continued implementation of the Council’s asset management strategy and plans has resulted in a clear focus in optimising Council buildings to ensure they are suitable.

The table indicates 95.7% of properties support delivery of services in terms of suitability, a slight increase from 95.3% in 2023 and reflects the changing nature of the Council’s service requirements.

To see how we compare against other councils, links to the data are available in the 'Benchmarking' paragraph on the Improvement and how we compare page on our website.

Percentage of internal floor area of operational buildings in satisfactory condition

What this means
It is important both to staff and service users that properties are maintained in a reasonable condition and that they are suitable for the service provided in accordance with guidance drawn up by the Federation of Property Societies. This indicator measures the percentage of gross internal floor area (m2) of operational buildings for example, the total internal floor surface area within the external walls. It includes space in cupboards, toilets and cloakrooms etc.

Why this matters
This indicator allows us to measure that our operational buildings are in a satisfactory condition and fit for purpose for the services being provided.

Our performance and how we compare

How we have performed in improving this public service
Despite the current financial climate and reduced funding to Scottish Local Authorities, the figures show that, through programmes of Prioritised Capital Investment and Planned Preventative Maintenance, performance remains positive for the majority of categories of property.  The restrictions placed on capital investment during the current capital programme will provide challenges to sustained performance and we will continue to challenge the requirement for our assets, retaining only those that support our strategic objectives, in order to establish a core estate.

To see how we compare against other councils, links to the data are available in the 'Benchmarking' paragraph on the Improvement and how we compare page on our website.

These properties are held by the council to support objectives such as Economic Development, Physical and Neighbourhood Regeneration as well as to provide revenue income. The Council has a tenanted, non-residential, lease portfolio which consists of 715 properties, with a gross rental income of £4,657,498 as at 31 March 2024.

Management of tenanted, non-residential, portfolio

What this means
It is important that the portfolio of properties leased out to local businesses is managed effectively to ensure that the economic and social objectives of the council are achieved as well as revenue income generated. This indicator measures the percentage of time when properties have been empty.

Why this matters
This indicator allows us to ensure that our properties for lease are managed effectively, providing suitable properties to local businesses as well as generating income for the council.

Our performance and how we compare

How we have performed in improving this public service

Demand for industrial properties and ground remains high. Retail is similarly strong in smaller traditional units, e.g. tenemental properties, in areas out with shopping centres.

There is an increasing turnover in business centres/offices as tenants adjust to post covid hybrid working arrangements.

• Investment in the housing stock continued with approximately £24.8m invested in 2023-24 on refurbishment work. Currently 83.59% of the housing stock meets the SHQS and further 11.41% are exempt on the grounds of work refusals by tenants, residents or other permitted abeyances.
• Reporting on the 2025 and 2032 EESSH2 Milestones were put on hold pending a review by the Scottish Government. It has now been confirmed that EESSH2 will be replaced by the new Social Housing Net Zero Standard for which the consultation has now been launched and will run until 8th March 2024. If we were reporting EESSH1 the figure at year end 2023-24 was 96%. 

Further information on the performance in respect of Housing assets is available in the Public Performance Report for Housing and Homelessness. 

Fleet Services manage and maintain the council's fleet of over 1,400 vehicles and items of plant and machinery. The vehicle fleet includes those used for refuse collection, roads maintenance, street sweeping and passenger transport.

Percentage of council vehicles presented externally for an MOT, without additional work being required Target  95%

What this means
The MOT test is an annual test of vehicle safety, roadworthiness and exhaust emissions and is required in Great Britain for most vehicles over three years old. The council ensures that all of its vehicle fleet receives an MOT, with the majority of vehicles checked by the council’s trained and licensed MOT inspectors and the remainder sent to external inspectors. The figure below shows the pass rate for all MOTs carried out externally and includes only those which passed first time.

Why this matters
A high MOT rate means that the council’s fleet of vehicles is being maintained to a high level throughout the year. Passing the MOT first time is cost effective as it means that a second MOT does not require to be paid for.

Our performance and how we compare

How we have performed in improving this public service
Of the 197 vehicles presented externally for an MOT in 2023-24, 189 of them passed first time without any additional work being necessary.  Of the eight vehicles that failed an MOT, five of them were able to be repaired on-site and passed later that same day, so minimising operational downtime and eliminating unnecessary travel to and from the test centre.

Key achievements

• Fleet Services continue to manage and maintain the Council’s fleet of over 1,400 vehicles, ensuring vehicle safety and roadworthiness, and limiting vehicle exhaust emissions by operating a robust maintenance regime.  In doing so this limits operational downtime.

We continue to invest in the operational roads network in South Lanarkshire. Further information on the performance in respect of road infrastructure is available in the public performance report for Roads and Lighting.

How much of our road network is in need of repair? Target < 30.8%

What this means
This indicator shows the percentage of the road network that should be considered for maintenance treatment, based on information from the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS) Scottish Road Maintenance Condition Survey. Roads within South Lanarkshire Council are surveyed by a machine, which collects various characteristics of the road condition. ‘Considered for maintenance treatment’ means that there is likely to be some defect in the condition of the road.

Why this matters
Councils spend a significant amount of money on road maintenance. This indicator looks at the quality of South Lanarkshire Council's roads and supplements the data in the Roads and Lighting report on the cost of road maintenance.

Our performance and how we compare

How we have performed in improving this public service
The Road Condition Index (RCI) results from the SCOTS (Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland) survey for the period covering 2022 to 2024 is 31.9% and indicates a regression of 1.1% of the amount of our road network when compared with the 2022-23 figure (30.8%).  Further regression in road condition may be expected in future years.  The current level of funding falls well below that of what is required to maintain the road network in its current condition (steady state).

To see how we compare against other councils, links to the data are available in the 'Benchmarking' paragraph on the Improvement and how we compare page on our website.

Resource Plans are prepared each year by all council Resources to outline the key developments they intend to take forward in the year. Performance and actions relating to Assets can be found in the following Resource Plans:

• Community and Enterprise Resource Plan
• Finance and Corporate Resource Plan
• Housing and Technical 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 Outcomes are prepared. See  Quarter 2 (September) and Quarter 4 (March - year end) performance 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. 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 2025)