Benchmarking

Strategic LGBF indicators – areas for improvement

Explanatory narrative for those strategic LGBF indicators where the South Lanarkshire Council result has declined since last year

Outcome: Communities and environment

Indicator	Explanations/narrative
C&L05a Percentage of adults satisfied with libraries	There has been a very small decrease (less than 1%) in the percentage of adults satisfied with libraries in 2024-25 in comparison with 2023-24; the percentage remains well above (better than) the Scottish average, and above the average for the ‘family grouping’. Residents completing the household survey may not be users of our services and are giving a perceived view, rather than 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% (combined score for value for money/cleanliness/quality of services and equipment). Customers have consistently rated library services highly.
C&L05c Percentage of adults satisfied with museums and galleries	There was a very small drop in satisfaction with museums and galleries in 2024-25, when compared with 2023-24; however the percentage remains above (better than) the Scottish average and above the average for the ‘family grouping’. Residents completing the household survey may not be users of our services and are giving a perceived view, rather than 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% (combined score for value for money/cleanliness/quality of services and equipment). Customers have consistently rated our museum services highly for several years.
C&L05d Percentage of adults satisfied with leisure facilities	There has been a very small reduction in the percentage of adults satisfied with leisure facilities in comparison to 2023-24; however South Lanarkshire remains above (better than) the Scottish average, and 6.5% above the average for the ‘family grouping’. Residents completing the household survey may not be users of our services and are giving a perceived view, rather than 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). Customers have consistently rated our leisure services highly for several years.
Env04b Percentage of A Class roads that should be considered for maintenance treatment	There has been a significant decline in the condition of A-class roads in South Lanarkshire. Previous high levels of construction inflation reduced the length of road network that could be resurfaced/repaired on an annual basis – however increased investment in recent years is expected to stabilise and perhaps begin to reverse the decline in the coming years. It should be noted the condition of the A Class network in South Lanarkshire remains lower (better than) the Scottish average.
Env04c Percentage of B Class roads that should be considered for maintenance treatment	There has been regression in the condition of B class roads in South Lanarkshire; however their condition remains substantially better than the Scottish average. Previous high levels of construction inflation reduced the length of road network that could be resurfaced/repaired on an annual basis – however increased investment in recent years is expected to stabilise and perhaps begin to reverse the decline in the coming years.
Env04d Percentage of C Class roads that should be considered for maintenance treat	The C class road network is fully surveyed every four years and during the survey period 2023/25 we observed a regression in its condition compared to the previous year; and the condition falls below (worse than) the Scottish average. The road surfacing decision making process in South Lanarkshire takes account of road category and as a result a greater level of investment is targeted towards our more strategic road network (A Class). Previous high levels of construction inflation also reduced the length that could be resurfaced/repaired on an annual basis – however increased investment in recent years is expected to stabilise and perhaps begin to reverse the decline in the coming years.
Env06 The percentage of total household waste arising that is recycled	The percentage of total household waste that was recycled decreased slightly in 2024-25 when compared with 2023-24 and remains below (worse than) the Scottish average. Multi-occupancy properties (flatted developments) make up over 30% of housing stock in South Lanarkshire. The lack of space at these properties means opportunities to provide recycling services are limited. Moreover, when recycling bins are provided, often the only option is to provide large communal bins, where contamination rates are significantly higher. South Lanarkshire is one of the few councils to still provide a fortnightly residual waste collection, meaning residents have a minimum of 120L of residual waste capacity each week. It is understood that recycling rates are lower when households receive more residual waste capacity. Waste Services are working closely with colleagues in Housing Services with regard to improving our recycling figures. Through additional funding we procured additional communal recycling bin with Perspex sides, which allows residents to see the waste streams and hopefully encourages greater participation. We have secured additional funding through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) monies, and an extra 182 perspex sided bins will be procured which will then be rolled out to more flatted properties. Where we have contamination issues, communications are being carried out in partnership with Housing colleagues to discourage and advise on the correct means of waste disposal.

Outcome: Education and Learning

Indicator	Explanations/narrative
CHN14b Numeracy attainment gap P1,4,7 combined - % point gap between the least deprived and most deprived pupil.	The numeracy gap is broadly unchanged and slightly wider than the national average; we are intensifying targeted numeracy support and tracking to accelerate closing the gap.

Outcome: Health and Wellbeing

Indicator	Explanations/narrative
SW06 Rate of readmissions to hospital within 28 days per 1,000 discharges	South Lanarkshire’s rate of hospital readmissions has risen slightly in 2024–25, compared with the previous year. Readmissions may be for a variety of reasons with a frail and older population, however, despite this increase, South Lanarkshire continues to perform better than the national benchmark and family group comparator average. Performance across the six priority areas of the Health and Social Care Delivery Plan is monitored monthly and formally reported each quarter to the Social Work Committee and the Integration Joint Board. The Hospital Social Work teams work alongside clinical colleagues to support a safe and timely discharge planning process, ensuring people are given the support that they need on discharge. The intermediate care unit within Blantyre Life plays a key role in supporting recovery and improving patient flow as a step down option. Whilst Home Assessment Teams offer support to people within their own home, offering short term reablement support to regain independence over a six week period and enabling safe discharge from hospital. Action: Hospital Social Work teams will continue to support the discharge planning processes, whilst local community services will work with acute sites to maintain capacity and support flow. Expected to improve? Yes, however wider pressures, most notably in relation to workforce supply and the financial challenges facing social care, will continue to be influential.
SW08 Number of days people spend in hospital when they are ready to be discharged, per 1,000 population (75+)	In 2024–25, the average number of days people in South Lanarkshire spent in hospital when they were ready to be discharged increased. Although the national figure also increased, South Lanarkshire remains above the Scottish average. Steps have been taken to improve discharge planning, including a successful pilot in the Frailty Assessment Unit (FAU) at University Hospital Hairmyres, which will be extended to University Hospital Wishaw. Staff continue efforts to reduce discharge cancellations and promote adherence to agreed discharge planning processes to help reduce loss of capacity within the system. Action: Hospital Social Work teams will continue to support the discharge planning processes, whilst local community services will work with acute sites to maintain capacity and support flow. Expected to improve? Yes. To improve patient flow across Lanarkshire hospital sites, the Hospital Social Work team will support acute staff with early identification of patients within frailty units who are assessed as requiring support for discharge. However other factors including patient demographics and clinical decision making will also influence performance, along with other pressures including the financial challenges facing social care.

Indicator

Explanations/narrative

SW06 Rate of readmissions to hospital within 28 days per 1,000 discharges

South Lanarkshire’s rate of hospital readmissions has risen slightly in 2024–25, compared with the previous year. Readmissions may be for a variety of reasons with a frail and older population, however, despite this increase, South Lanarkshire continues to perform better than the national benchmark and family group comparator average. Performance across the six priority areas of the Health and Social Care Delivery Plan is monitored monthly and formally reported each quarter to the Social Work Committee and the Integration Joint Board. The Hospital Social Work teams work alongside clinical colleagues to support a safe and timely discharge planning process, ensuring people are given the support that they need on discharge. The intermediate care unit within Blantyre Life plays a key role in supporting recovery and improving patient flow as a step down option. Whilst Home Assessment Teams offer support to people within their own home, offering short term reablement support to regain independence over a six week period and enabling safe discharge from hospital. Action: Hospital Social Work teams will continue to support the discharge planning processes, whilst local community services will work with acute sites to maintain capacity and support flow.

Expected to improve? Yes, however wider pressures, most notably in relation to workforce supply and the financial challenges facing social care, will continue to be influential.

SW08 Number of days people spend in hospital when they are ready to be discharged, per 1,000 population (75+)

In 2024–25, the average number of days people in South Lanarkshire spent in hospital when they were ready to be discharged increased. Although the national figure also increased, South Lanarkshire remains above the Scottish average. Steps have been taken to improve discharge planning, including a successful pilot in the Frailty Assessment Unit (FAU) at University Hospital Hairmyres, which will be extended to University Hospital Wishaw. Staff continue efforts to reduce discharge cancellations and promote adherence to agreed discharge planning processes to help reduce loss of capacity within the system.

Action: Hospital Social Work teams will continue to support the discharge planning processes, whilst local community services will work with acute sites to maintain capacity and support flow.

Expected to improve? Yes. To improve patient flow across Lanarkshire hospital sites, the Hospital Social Work team will support acute staff with early identification of patients within frailty units who are assessed as requiring support for discharge. However other factors including patient demographics and clinical decision making will also influence performance, along with other pressures including the financial challenges facing social care.

Outcome: Our Economy

Indicator	Explanations/narrative
Econ07 Percentage of people earning less than the living wage	The percentage of people earning less than the living wage increased in 2024-25 in comparison with 2023-24. This is higher (worse) than the Scottish average. The council leads a pan-Lanarkshire living wage campaign group which aims to increase the number of employers signing up to the Living Wage.
Econ09 Town vacancy rates	In 2024-25 the Town vacancy rate increased slightly in comparison with 2023-24 and remains above (worse than) the Scottish average. This is substantially influenced by the major changes happening in East Kilbride and Hamilton Town Centres which seek to consolidate retail and realise other opportunities for the town centres including residential development. The rest of our towns continue to perform well with the majority showing vacancy rates at or below the national average.
FinSus02 Uncommitted General Fund Balance as a % of council annual budgeted net revenue	The value of the council’s Uncommitted General Fund balance has not changed from 2019-2020. The council's budget has increased therefore resulting in a minor decrease in the percentage. This is very much an arithmetic impact. Our uncommitted balance has not changed, but the budget has changed due to external factors including government grant ringfenced for specific purposes. The council’s position on reserves is included in the Revenue Budget Strategy.