Public performance reports
Economic development
The Council Plan Connect outlines our priorities and outcomes for 2022-27. Connect Outcomes should not be seen in isolation, they interact with each other and as we achieve success in one, we move closer to success in others. In delivering our vision to ‘improve the lives and prospects of everyone in South Lanarkshire’ our priorities show how our work links with our partners including our Community Planning Partners.
For daily updates, stories and what’s going on in your area, visit our information and news website South Lanarkshire View.
Each year we produce Annual Performance Spotlights which summarise how we have performed in achieving our Connect Outcomes. To complement these we have created a suite of individual Public Performance Reports which focus on key areas of council business. This report outlines our performance in relation to our Economic Development Service and how this links to our Economy outcome for thriving business, fair jobs and vibrant town centres.
The South Lanarkshire Economic Strategy 2022-27 focusses on the three key themes of sustainable economic development; People, Place and Business
People - South Lanarkshire's greatest asset is our people
Place - South Lanarkshire is a great place to start, grow and locate a business
Business - South Lanarkshire's many and diverse businesses are resilient and continue to thrive.
In partnership with local communities, voluntary agencies, the private sector and other public organisations, the council aims to promote employment creation, social inclusion, physical development and sustainability.
Number of businesses assisted by our Economic Development team (via grants, loans or property advice)
Target - 800 businesses
What this means
The council provides a range of advice and financial help for businesses based in the South Lanarkshire area. Financial help is provided through the Business Support Grant and Business Loans Scotland. The council also provides advice to businesses through Business Gateway and the Lanarkshire Property Advice Service. This indicator identifies the number of businesses assisted by the council via these grants, loans or property advice.
Why this matters
The council has a key role in ensuring that there is an environment that is as supportive as possible to the circa 10,000 active businesses that are located within South Lanarkshire, as well as new start-up and micro businesses. As in most areas across Scotland, small businesses are the bedrock of the economy of South Lanarkshire, and the council recognises that it needs to focus its efforts on the development of these businesses. Early intervention, preventative advice and pre-start care are all important in helping companies achieve a stable financial position.
Our performance and how we compare
| Comparator | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | Are we improving? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLC | 1,615 | 829 | 1,014 | Yes |
| Scotland | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
How we have performed in improving this public service
The majority of business support interventions were made up of registration and event attendance via the Supplier Development Programme (SDP). The number of interventions in 2024-25 was 1,014, exceeding the target of 800.
Number of jobs created or sustained as a direct result of our Economic Development team’s intervention
Target - 500 jobs
What this means
This indicator identifies the number of jobs created or sustained (saved) per year as a direct result of the above intervention by the council.
Why this matters
The council recognises that it needs to focus its efforts on the development of those businesses which have growth potential. For this reason, council assistance provided in the way of grants, loans or property advice is directed towards helping businesses invest and employ more people, increase turnover and develop new products and markets.
Our performance and how we compare
| Comparator | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | Are we improving? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLC | 1,256 | 646 | 1,071 | Yes |
| Scotland | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
How we have performed in improving this public service
The number of created or sustained jobs reported here is taken primarily from business grants and expert help approvals. The target (500) has been exceeded with 1,071 jobs created or sustained per annum.
Value of sales generated by businesses as a direct result of our Economic Development team’s intervention.
Target - £5 million
What this means
This indicator identifies the value of sales generated by businesses as a direct result of the above intervention by the council.
Why this matters
The council recognises that it needs to focus its efforts on the development of those businesses which have growth potential. For this reason, council assistance provided in the way of grants, loans or property advice is directed towards helping businesses be more competitive and increase turnover and profit.
Our performance and how we compare
| Comparator | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | Are we improving? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLC | £13.11 million | £14.49 million | £8.53 million | No |
| Scotland | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
How we have performed in improving this public service
This figure is taken from business grant applications and demonstrates the significant impact our grant scheme has on supporting local businesses.
Number of business gateway start-ups per 10,000 population
Target – improve on previous year
What this means
This indicator provides the rate of business gateway start-ups per 10,000 population.
Why this matters
This high-level indicator is important because new business formation is a good indicator of how conducive we are to entrepreneurship in the business environment. Small businesses make up 92.5% of the business base and 40.2% of employment in South Lanarkshire. They are the lifeblood of local town centres and communities, and a fundamental aim of the council is to improve the business creation and growth of small businesses in the area.
Our performance and how we compare
| Comparator | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | Are we improving? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLC | 16.00 | 12.70 | 21.70 | Yes |
| Scotland | 14.30 | 13.60 | 12.30 | No |
How we have performed in improving this public service
The number of business gateway start-ups rose significantly in 2024-25 in comparison with 2023-24 and is higher (better) than the Scottish average. Business Gateway was brought “in-house” in partnership with North Lanarkshire, coming into effect in March 2024.
Immediately available employment land as a % of the total land allocated for employment purposes in the local development plan
Target – improve on previous year
What this means
Available employment land is undeveloped land allocated for employment use (Class 4, Class 5 and Class 6) in Local Plans or which has valid planning consent.
Why this matters
The availability of land for development is a significant factor that affects local economic growth, and it falls within the council’s local development planning powers to influence this. This measure shows how ‘investor ready’ and competitive the council is in providing infrastructure to do business.
Our performance and how we compare
| Comparator | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | Are we improving? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLC | 12.1% | 12.1% | 12.1% | Maintaining |
| Scotland | 22.8% | 24.5% | 21.3% | No |
How we have performed in improving this public service
The 2024-25 figure is the same as in 2023-24 and remains below (worse than) the Scottish average. Our ranking in comparison with other local authorities has improved from 22nd to 16th.
Within the council, the percentage of immediately available employment land has been recognised as a challenge which needs to be considered in the drafting of Local Development Plan 3 (LDP3). This work is underway, and through the call for sites process, it is anticipated that the position can be addressed.
We will take forward the following key areas for improvement:
- Continue to work with Business Gateway Lanarkshire to enhance and expand their service and to increase awareness within South Lanarkshire Council and across the county
- Deliver programmes, services, and events to businesses around key sectors, locations, and themes (such as tourism, construction, low carbon, innovation, internationalisation, collaboration, and young enterprise)
- Refocus and grow the council’s position and potential for inward investment through improved marketing, engagement and support
- Develop and implement a South Lanarkshire Film and TV Office
- Implement a suite of key strategies and plans, all of which are inherently linked to the key themes of sustainable economic development, including:
- South Lanarkshire Economic Strategy
- Tourism Strategy
- Inward investment
- Deliver the masterplan visions for Hamilton and East Kilbride while continuing to support town centres across South Lanarkshire
- Progress action to further understand the factors that influence the level of local spending and identify further opportunities for local spending.
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 economic development 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 performance reports for further information.
More information on our council priorities 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.
The information contained within this report reflects the position based on the data available at the time of publication (March 2026).
- Public performance reports
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