Our bold vision, strong partnerships, and focused programme of work to deliver measurable improvements that make a real difference for local communities, have been praised in an independent report.
The best value report by public spending watchdog for local government, the Accounts Commission, has recognised the council’s ambitious journey to transform and regenerate North Lanarkshire by putting people and places at the heart of everything it does.
The pace of transformation and marked improvements in outcomes are underpinned by sound and resilient financial and performance management, with the report highlighting the council’s management of reserves puts it in a “a stronger position than many other councils.”
The report highlights the council’s track record of delivering savings, integrated workforce planning, and the continued focus on community engagement that is helping to improve lives and strengthen communities.
Des Murray, the council's chief executive said, “This is an overwhelmingly positive report that clearly recognises how we have reshaped our operations to deliver real change where it matters most.
"What started as an ambitious vision quickly turned into action. We have transformed how we work by implementing a place-based approach that drives better outcomes for people and communities.
"We’ve created community hubs that brings services, learning, and support under one roof that is delivered by the council, partners and third sector. A 43% increase in GVA in the six years since The Plan for North Lanarkshire started, outperforms the Scottish average, meaning the area is producing more economic output per person and attracting more investment.
“By building a stronger digital and physical infrastructure, we’ve unlocked new opportunities for investment, connectivity, and thriving communities. Considerable progress has also been made over the last few years to improve outcomes for children and young people, such as the highest-ever breastfeeding rate and education attainment, creating alternative career pathways, leaving a lasting mark for future generations.
“A strategic shift to address the widening budget gap is common to all local authorities with service redesign and change plans critical but it must be underpinned by a balanced approach to ensure sustainable service delivery without impacting on the most vulnerable people in our communities.
“We have already acted on the auditor’s advice by reviewing our governance to strengthen oversight, and our reserves policy, to allow more flexibility for transformational change while safeguarding a sustainable financial base to manage risk and future pressures.
“This council is committed to delivering for residents even while we continue to face very real challenges such as child poverty. It’s vital that we learn from reviews such as this and take on board recommendations so that we are always improving our services for local people.”
Based on evidence collected over three years to 2024-25, key highlights include:
- Our investment in housing and specific approach to address homelessness and subsequent benchmarked service performance have been cited as among the best in Scotland.
- Partnership-working with public and private sector has been highly commended, including the delivery of health and social care services and by working side by side with the leading construction sector to create an Industry Skills Board to establish employment pathways to produce a newly-skilled workforce.
- Considerable progress was cited in key areas such as local economic growth, increasing waste recycling rates and reductions in recorded crime, children living in poverty and benefits claimant rates.
- Our housing service was cited as a ‘key area of strength’ with good service improvements in adult social work, culture and leisure and environmental services.
- Reflecting the nature of the Plan for North Lanarkshire, there was recognition that the Council views transformation through the lens of the wider area as well as being embedded in its programme of work.
- Our delivery plan included 243 projects including Riverbank and Chryston Community Hubs (with Chryston incorporating an NHS health centre within), the purchase of Cumbernauld town centre to facilitate significant regeneration and the development of digital classrooms. Our innovative Community Investment Fund which supported many of these projects and other capital investment and regeneration activity was highlighted to demonstrate the council’s commitment to transformation.
- Good integrated workforce planning through the council’s One Workforce Plan with initiatives to address skills shortages and staff wellbeing.
- Effective governance arrangements are in place to oversee the council's transformation programmes and associated performance monitoring and reporting. Further development of the benefits realisation tool will strengthen reporting of financial and non-financial benefits.
- A review of democratic, committee and decision-making governance procedures is underway to ensure the council achieves value for money and oversight is enhanced when considering senior officer restructuring.
The report and its findings will be discussed at a meeting of the full council on Thursday 2 April 2026 at 4pm in the Council Chambers, Civic Centre, Motherwell.
The council meeting can also be viewed online here: Council - 02/04/2026 - Thursday 2 April 2026, 4:00pm - North Lanarkshire Council Webcasting