Council staff will be aware of the latest development in the ongoing debate about the future of local government.

As you will have read in my last blog, public sector reform was put on the table when the Programme for Government for the next five years was published by the First Minister earlier this month. At that point, a three-month consultation period was launched to discuss potential approaches.

Now, the debate has been taken forward by Scottish Ministers with "a proposal for reform of local governance."

As you have likely seen in news bulletins, this proposal outlines one potential future landscape in which a small number of large, regional authorities focus on strategic decision-making and a large number of small community authorities focus on local issues.

I would stress that we are just at the start of this important debate, and the Scottish Government's initial proposal will be scrutinised closely by COSLA, and others. At this stage further details are awaited on what this particular proposal would mean exactly for service delivery.

I appreciate the prospect of change can be unsettling. Everyone who works for South Lanarkshire Council will, quite rightly, be wondering what the outcome of this debate will mean for us as an organisation and as individuals.

However, my own view is that our staff can be reassured that we are part of a well-respected, high-performing team. Regardless of any change in governance, your work is going to remain crucial to deliver the services that our local residents rely upon, day-in day-out.

Please be further reassured that we will work with trade union colleagues to ensure that our staff are kept informed about, and involved in, this consultation on the future of local government.

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Programme for Government- published 17 September 2026

A couple of weeks ago, the Scottish Government published its Programme for Government for 2026 to 2031. It sets out the Government’s priorities for the next five years, including reducing child poverty, growing the economy, tackling climate change and improving public services.

I’m sure it won’t have escaped your notice that the programme also includes plans for public service reform. This means looking at how councils, health services and public bodies are organised and how they work together. Areas being considered by the Scottish Government include regional working, giving communities more influence, changes to health and social care, sharing some services, and making use of digital technology and data.

At this stage, these are proposals rather than decisions. There is no detailed model yet, and no decisions have been made about any changes to any council’s structure, services or workforce.

The Scottish Government now plans to hold a three-month period of discussion with councils, trade unions, public bodies and other partners. This is an opportunity for local government to help shape the emerging picture. We will take part fully in that dialogue, directly and through COSLA and professional associations. We will also keep our employees, elected members, trade unions and partners updated as things develop.

Our contribution will focus on protecting good services, local accountability and the interests of our communities and employees. We will be constructive about change while making sure that any proposals are practical, properly funded and focused on better outcomes for people.

In the meantime, our day-to-day priorities do not change. We must keep focusing on what we do really well: providing important services and improving outcomes for the people and communities of South Lanarkshire. We must continue supporting residents, responding to local needs and looking for sensible ways to transform and improve our services wherever we can.

There may well be some changes in the years ahead, but our purpose remains clear: putting people first and doing our best for South Lanarkshire.

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A legacy that will endure - 6 July 2026

The passing of Provost Margaret Cooper on Wednesday 24 June 2026 has been met with real sadness across South Lanarkshire, with tributes recognising a lifetime of public service and a civic leadership defined by compassion, determination and community spirit.

Serving as Provost since 2022 and a councillor since 2012, Margaret brought a wealth of experience from careers in education and social work, alongside an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others.

At the heart of her legacy is the Touch a Life, Make a Difference initiative, which she founded in 2024. Through this programme, Margaret sought not only to raise vital funds for local charities, but also to celebrate the generosity and kindness of communities across South Lanarkshire. The initiative has already raised more than £100,000, supporting a wide range of organisations and leaving a lasting mark on countless lives.

Margaret was also instrumental in strengthening civic pride and recognising service. She was the driving force behind granting the Freedom of South Lanarkshire to the Royal Regiment of Scotland, culminating in a memorable parade in June 2023 that brought communities together to honour the regiment’s deep historic links to the area.

Her impact was equally felt at a local level, particularly in Strathaven and Stonehouse. Margaret led efforts to secure funding for the life-size bronze statue of Rifleman Khan, the heroic wartime dog who saved his handler during the Second World War. The memorial stands as a poignant tribute to courage, loyalty and the area’s rich military heritage.

Those who worked alongside Margaret consistently describe her as a “force of nature”, someone who cared deeply about people and place, and who carried out her role with warmth, dignity and pride. Her legacy will endure in the communities she championed and the lives she touched.

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Recognising excellence in our ranks- Published 19 June 2026

It was a real pleasure this week to see something important return to our council – the Employee Recognition Awards. After a too long break across the pandemic, it feels right to bring this scheme back. It gives us the opportunity to pause, reflect and properly celebrate the dedication and impact of our staff across South Lanarkshire.

Spending time with colleagues as part of the relaunch reminded me why this matters so much. Members of the Corporate Management Team had the privilege of meeting two very different, but equally committed, individuals – each representing the very best of what we stand for as a council.

Noel Ormistoun, from our Social Work Resources team, was a standout example of genuine care in action. What struck me most was not just his energy or experience, but his deep belief in the people he works with. He clearly sees potential where others might not, and is committed to helping individuals build skills and confidence that will stay with them long after their time with the service. That kind of quiet, values-led leadership is something we should be immensely proud of.

In contrast, Amanda Graham and Victoria O’Neill (Victoria wasn’t able to make the meeting with the CMT) demonstrated a different, but equally impressive strength – ingenuity. Faced with real challenges in implementing a new housing system, they found ways forward through persistence, creativity and teamwork. Their ability to overcome obstacles and keep things moving is exactly what we need as we continue to modernise and improve our services.

What brings all of this together for me is a strong sense that these colleagues are not exceptions, but examples. Across South Lanarkshire, there are countless members of staff showing the same commitment, care and creativity every day.

That is why I feel so positive about the return of these awards. They give us a chance to shine a light on that work – and to say, clearly and collectively, thank you.

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A lasting legacy- Published 27 April 2026

I know that many of you, like myself, will have been saddened to hear last week of the passing of Cllr Lesley McDonald. Lesley was a well-liked and respected councillor who many of you will have dealt with over her two terms in office at the council. For the past four years she was Chair of the Finance and Corporate Resources Committee. Lesley was also a passionate advocate for her community of Larkhall and contributed to the wider community as Chair of the Machan Trust in Larkhall. She was also recognised for her support of cultural and sporting activities, including her passion for Robert Burns’ works.

I was in Hamilton Town House this week and took a moment to have a look at a statue of Burns that meant a great deal to Lesley. After the Town House was renovated in the 2000s, there was a statue of Burns that used to stand in the old Town House, that didn’t initially find a space in the new, refurbished building.

Around 10 years ago, Lesley got in touch looking for assistance in tracking the statue down and then in its refurbishment. She had been contacted, as a well-known Lanarkshire Burns enthusiast, by a gentleman from Australia who was at the time researching a book he was writing about a series of statues of Burns which had been produced by a Scottish sculptor, William Birnie Rhind. The statue was eventually located and recovered from storage. 

As a result of that work, the statue was carefully restored and reinstated, with the help of a generous donation from the Hamilton Burns Association, eventually being given a prominent public setting and formally rededicated. What might easily have remained a forgotten artefact instead became, once again, a visible part of Hamilton’s cultural life — not by chance, but because Lesley believed these things mattered.

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A warm welcome for Harriet Gardens – A new place of hope in Rutherglen- Published 9 April 2026

On Wednesday I was lucky enough visit the launch of the council’s joint venture with the charity Social Bite at Harriet Gardens in Rutherglen. This has 15 purpose-built housing ‘pods’, or nest homes as they are know, alongside shared support facilities, created to help people make the journey from homelessness to independence.

From the moment you arrive, it’s clear this is a special place. The pods, and the site as a whole, are clean, modern, calm and welcoming, offering far more than just a roof over someone’s head. Harriet Gardens provides a safe, homely and tranquil environment, giving residents the space and dignity they need at what can be one of the most challenging periods of their lives.

Social Bite brings an impressive track record to this partnership. Founded in Edinburgh in 2012, the organisation is widely known for combining practical support with real opportunities, including employment, training and housing initiatives that help people rebuild their lives. During the visit, I spoke with a Social Bite worker who had previously experienced homelessness himself. Having lived in one of their Edinburgh villages, he explained how settings like Harriet Gardens provide not just accommodation, but breathing space, enabling people to focus on recovery, stability and a more positive future.

This project has been a true collaborative effort. Well deserved credit was given by Josh Littlejohn, the founder of Social Bite, to Jackie Fernie and Sharon Egan from Housing, for their dedication and commitment in bringing Harriet Gardens to life. Jackie and Sharon have loads to be proud of. The facility will be run on the council’s behalf by the Salvation Army. One of their volunteers at the launch, who tapped me on the shoulder at the event, was our own Andrew Monaghan, who’s a Team Leader in IT Services. There’s a picture of Andrew below.

One of the most heartening things about the whole project is the way that the whole Rutherglen community is rallying round to get behind the venture: local businesses sponsoring and funding buildings on the site; Rutherglen Rotarians funding a nest home and outdoor gym equipment at the facility; a local beautician business offering free therapeutic treatments to residents. The example of this that touched me most, was input from R:evolve Recycle. They are a social venture, running second-hand clothing and handmade gift stores in Rutherglen and Cambuslang. They have a ‘Knit and Natter’ group as part of what they do and the tremendous Lyn McLaughlin from the group showed me the lovely blankets the group have made for the beds in each of the 15 housing pods. While each of the blankets are special and individual, Lyn showed me the ‘home safe’ symbol which adorns each one. This is a tremendous act of kindness by the group, and I think is symbolic of the way the community of Rutherglen is taking the facility to its heart. I like to think in Rutherglen’s 900th year, the new Harriet Gardens facility will be a welcome addition to the town.

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Pulling together: social work, active lives and stronger communities- Published 26 March 2026

Last week marked National Social Work Week, and it felt like a timely moment to pause and reflect on the difference social work makes every day in our communities. This year’s theme – “Co‑building hope and harmony: a Harambee call to unite” – is about pulling together, recognising that lasting change happens through relationships, trust and shared effort.

That idea sits right at the heart of social work in South Lanarkshire. Whether it’s supporting families at times of crisis, helping people navigate complex systems, or working quietly alongside children, adults and communities to build resilience, social work is about connection. It’s about stepping in early, listening carefully, and helping people build the confidence and support they need to thrive. I want to say a sincere thank you to our social workers and wider teams for the professionalism, compassion and commitment they show every day.

That same theme of early intervention and connection comes through strongly in the newly published evaluation of the Active Schools programme. The evaluation confirms what many of us see on the ground: that Active Schools plays a vital role in supporting children and young people’s wellbeing, confidence and sense of belonging, as well as helping them to be more active.

Active Schools is delivered in partnership with all local authorities, including here in South Lanarkshire through South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture, and the findings reinforce the value of the work taking place in our schools and communities. The programme is particularly effective where it is inclusive, relationship‑based and targeted – supporting children who face barriers to participation, helping young people build leadership skills, and strengthening links between schools, families and local communities.

What matters to me is how clearly this aligns with our wider ambitions. Like social work, Active Schools isn’t just about a single activity or outcome. It’s about preventing problems before they escalate, supporting positive mental health, improving engagement with school, and helping young people build friendships, confidence and aspiration.

Taken together, National Social Work Week and the Active Schools evaluation tell a consistent story: when we invest early, work alongside people, and pull together across services and communities, we create better outcomes. That is the approach we will continue to champion in South Lanarkshire – focused on prevention, inclusion and giving people the best possible start in life.

Celebrating achievement and leadership through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award - Published 12 March 2026

The council’s recent Duke of Edinburgh’s Award celebration was a powerful reminder of the impact this programme continues to have on young people, communities and the wider area. The ceremony brought together award recipients, families, volunteers, leaders and partners to recognise the dedication, resilience and commitment shown by participants in completing their awards.

The evening highlighted not only individual achievement, but the collective effort behind it. Leaders, volunteers and families play a vital role in supporting young people through their Duke of Edinburgh journey – encouraging them to set goals, persevere through challenges and give back to their communities. Across South Lanarkshire, participants have contributed thousands of hours of volunteering, supporting local people and helping communities to grow and thrive. While the economic value of this contribution is significant, its wider social impact is immeasurable.

The event also reinforced the importance of leadership that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. Among those attending was Ammara Abid, whose work focuses on inclusion, representation and widening access to opportunities through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Ammara’s experience across education, community work and social policy, and her commitment to supporting young people from diverse backgrounds, demonstrates how inclusive leadership can open doors and empower the next generation.

Ensuring that programmes like the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award are accessible to all requires committed leaders, role models and volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds. Their involvement helps remove barriers, inspire participation and show young people that leadership is something they too can aspire to.

The council remains committed to supporting the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and to working with partners to ensure it continues to change lives for the better. In South Lanarkshire the Duke of Edinburgh scheme is managed by Youth, Family and Community Learning Service. If you are interested in becoming a leader, volunteer or supporter of the programme, or would like to find out more about how to get involved, we would warmly encourage you to get in touch with Max Twomey, who is the council’s Duke of Edinburgh Manager. (Max.Twomey@southlanarkshire.gov.uk or 01698 452154).

Together, we can continue to create opportunities, nurture potential and support young people to achieve amazing things.

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Our promise in action: A memorable care day for South Lanarkshire - Published 26 February 2026

Care Day 2026 was a powerful and uplifting celebration of South Lanarkshire’s Promise to care‑experienced children and young people across South Lanarkshire.

Held at the council’s headquarters in Hamilton, the event brought together more than 200 young people, care professionals and partners, alongside members of the council’s Corporate Management Team, to reflect, learn and celebrate progress together.

Planned and delivered by the South Lanarkshire Champions Board, the day showcased the impact of listening to lived experience and placing young people at the heart of change. An engaging programme ensured the event was not only informative, but genuinely enjoyable, memorable and uplifting for all who attended.

The programme opened with a warm welcome from Pauline Wyatt of NHS Lanarkshire, followed by an inspiring keynote address from Samantha McCrae, Renfrewshire Promise Ambassador. Throughout the morning, energiser sessions led by Beth‑Anne McDowall and Stephanie Kimmet created a positive and inclusive atmosphere, helping to keep energy and engagement high.

There were many powerful moments across the day, including real‑life reflections from Declan Andrews on experiences of care, alongside a series of impactful videos highlighting initiatives such as the Employability Promise, Care 2 Move, Give It Some Street and COVEY support services. Thought‑provoking table discussions, led by Kevin Mullarkey, encouraged meaningful conversation about the impact of participation and how we can continue to do more to support care‑experienced young people. The day concluded with thoughtful closing reflections from Diane Dobbie.

On a personal note, I had the real pleasure of sitting with three brilliant pupils from Cathkin High School — Lewis, Tyler and Rebecca — whose insight, confidence and thoughtful contributions perfectly captured the spirit of the day.

We also had John and Callum discussing the Employability Promise, while Nik featured on a Care to Move video, and Maisie talked about her increase in confidence.

Care Day 2026 was a truly uplifting reminder of what can be achieved when we work together in partnership, remain ambitious for our young people, and continue to turn our Promise into action across South Lanarkshire.

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New insights into our communities - Published 12 February 2026

If you’ve ever wondered what’s really going on in your local area, there’s now a new way to find out. A really interesting area information tool has been created for South Lanarkshire, making it much easier for anyone who lives or works here to explore facts and figures about their community.

This work comes out of South Lanarkshire’s involvement in the Marmot Place approach, which is all about tackling inequality by understanding how different places work and what people need. South Lanarkshire Council, working alongside NHS Lanarkshire and the Community Planning Partnership, is part of a national pilot called Collaboration for Health Equity in Scotland (CHES). This brings together local partners with Public Health Scotland and University College London’s Institute of Health Equity, led by Professor Sir Michael Marmot, to turn evidence into real local action.

One of the most practical outcomes of this work is the new data tool for South Lanarkshire. It brings together information from trusted sources like the Census and the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation, all in one place. The aim is simple: make local data easy to access and easy to understand, whether you’re a planner, a community group, or just someone who’s curious about where they live.

This is the South Lanarkshire Area Profiler, a public, interactive resource that lets you explore topics like population, housing, education, work, health, income, and food and fuel priority areas. You can view data at very local levels, using maps or tables, helping paint a clear picture of how different neighbourhoods compare.

The profiler is available on the Community Planning Partnership website, allowing users to view local-level data on maps or in tables.

This tool opens up a new way of understanding South Lanarkshire – turning data into insight, and insight into better conversations about our communities.

pach.executive@southlanarkshire.gov.uk

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The lessons of history - Published 30 January 2026

This week, Holocaust Memorial Day provided an important opportunity to pause, reflect upon, and remember one of the darkest chapters in human history, and to consider the responsibilities we all share in standing against hatred, prejudice and dehumanisation in all their forms.

On Tuesday, I attended a Holocaust Memorial Day event at Larkhall Academy, where young people from schools across South Lanarkshire came together to mark this significant moment through music and drama. That young people led this act of remembrance was deeply meaningful. Their performances were not simply artistic contributions; they were thoughtful, sensitive responses to history, shaped by learning, empathy and a clear understanding of why remembrance continues to matter.

The Holocaust was remembered not only as a historical event, but as a warning that still speaks to every generation. The focus of the event was on recognising the human cost of intolerance and the consequences when dignity and compassion are eroded. Through creative expression, the young people involved demonstrated maturity, insight and respect, conveying powerful messages with care and sensitivity.

The event also reflected the strength of our school communities. It showed how education can create space for careful reflection, shared understanding and respectful engagement with complex and painful histories, while supporting young people to express themselves with confidence and compassion. Staff, families and schools played an important role in enabling this work and ensuring it was approached with thoughtfulness and respect.

I am grateful to everyone involved in organising and supporting this event. Above all, I want to acknowledge the young people whose talent, sensitivity and commitment to remembrance offered reassurance that the lessons of history are being carried forward with care, humanity and responsibility.