Agenda Document Pack - Hamilton Area Committee - 23/09/2026
South Lanarkshire Council · 23 September 2026
Back to Hamilton Area Committee — 23 September 2026 and its agenda
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Council Offices, Almada Street Hamilton, ML3 0AA Tuesday, 15 September 2026 Dear Councillor Hamilton Area Committee The Members listed below are requested to attend a meeting of the above Committee to be held as follows:- Date: Wednesday, 23 September 2026 Time: 14:00 Venue: Hybrid - Council Chamber, Council Offices, Almada Street, Hamilton, ML3 0AA The business to be considered at the meeting is listed overleaf. Yours sincerely Paul Manning Chief Executive Members Allan Falconer (Chair), Mo Razzaq (Depute Chair), Andy Carmichael, Maureen Chalmers, Ross Clark, Maureen Devlin, Colin Dewar, Mary Donnelly, Celine Handibode, Graeme Horne, Martin Hose, Cal Johnston-Dempsey, Gavin Keatt, Kenny McCreary, Fiona McDermott, Mark McGeever, Davie McLachlan, Richard Nelson, John Ross, Bert Thomson, Helen Toner 1
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BUSINESS 1 Declaration of Interests 2 Minutes of Previous Meeting Minutes of the meeting of the Hamilton Area Committee held on 24 June 2026 submitted for approval as a correct record. (Copy attached) 3 - 6 Item(s) for Noting 3 Annual Housing and Homelessness Update 2025/2026 4 Participatory Budgeting - Micro Grants Update Report dated 1 September 2026 by the Executive Director (Community and Enterprise Resources). (Copy attached) 7 - 8 5 Forward Programme for Future Meetings Report dated 1 September 2026 by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources). (Copy attached) 9 - 12 Item(s) for Decision 6 Community Grant Applications Report dated 2 September 2026 by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources). (Copy attached) 13 - 16 Urgent Business 7 Urgent Business Any other items of business which the Chair decides are urgent. For further information, please contact:- Clerk Name: Laura Cunningham Clerk Telephone: 07385 370044 Clerk Email: laura.cunningham2@southlanarkshire.gov.uk 2
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HAMILTON AREA COMMITTEE Minutes of meeting held via Confero and in Committee Room 1, Council Offices, Almada Street, Hamilton on 24 June 2026 Chair: Councillor Allan Falconer Councillors Present: Councillor Maureen Chalmers, Councillor Ross Clark, Councillor Colin Dewar, Councillor Celine Handibode, Councillor Graeme Horne, Councillor Martin Hose, Councillor Kenny McCreary, Councillor Mo Razzaq (Depute), Councillor John Ross, Councillor Bert Thomson, Councillor Helen Toner Councillors' Apologies: Councillor Andy Carmichael, Councillor Maureen Devlin, Councillor Mary Donnelly, Councillor Cal Johnston-Dempsey, Councillor Gavin Keatt, Councillor Mark McGeever, Councillor Davie McLachlan, Councillor Richard Nelson Attending: Community and Enterprise Resources A Brown, Head of Enterprise and Sustainable Development Education Resources L Galloway, Modern Studies Teacher and Equity Lead, St John Ogilvie High School; L Horn, Lead Officer, Curriculum and Quality Improvement Service Finance and Corporate Resources L Cunningham, Administration Officer; S Jessup, Administration Assistant Also Attending: Scottish Fire and Rescue Service P Mathieson, Group Commander, Head of Prevention, Lanarkshire Area; W Wilkinson, Station Commander South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture D Carter, Head of Operations and Estates; K McInally, Strategy and Projects Manager; G Simpson, Head of Strategy and Governance 1 Declaration of Interests No interests were declared. 2 Minutes of Previous Meeting The minutes of the meeting of the Hamilton Area Committee held on 29 April 2026 were submitted for approval as a correct record. The Committee decided: that the minutes be approved as a correct record. 3 Scottish Fire and Rescue Service – 2025/2026 Scrutiny Report W Wilkinson, Station Commander, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) gave a presentation on the 2025/2026 Scrutiny Report for the Hamilton area. 2 3
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The presentation provided performance information covering the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, with a comparison against the same period from the previous year, along with trends for the previous 4 years. Information was provided on:- accidental dwelling fires (ADFs) accidental dwelling fire casualties non-fire casualties deliberate fires non-domestic fires unwanted fire alarm signals (UFAS) road traffic collisions (RTCs) home fire safety visits (HFSVs) fire safety enforcement community safety and engagement W Wilkinson and P Mathieson, having responded to members’ questions, were thanked for their informative presentation. Members expressed their concerns relating to the decision taken by the SFRS Board to reduce the number of appliances within the Hamilton area. The Committee decided: that the presentation be noted. [Reference: Minutes of 4 June 2025 (Paragraph 3)] Councillor McCreary joined the meeting during this item of business 4 Community Impact – South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture A report dated 5 May 2026 by the Executive Director (Community and Enterprise Resources) was submitted on the first area focused impact presentation from South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SLLC), as detailed with the performance framework aligned to the Commissioning Plan for services delivered by SLLC. The Commissioning Plan for services delivered by SLLC was approved by the Executive Committee on 25 June 2025. The first Plan covered the period 2025 to 2027, with future iterations spanning a 5-year period aligned with each new Council Plan. The Plan identified SLLC as the strategic lead and sole provider of all leisure and culture services on behalf of the Council and defined the strategic ‘ask’ of SLLC over the medium to long term, in support of the Council’s own priorities and outcomes. In response to each new Commissioning Plan, SLLC developed its own 5-year strategy to ensure the resources available to the Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) were directed in the best way, and at the right time, to successfully deliver the Council’s priorities and outcomes. A presentation was given providing information on:- Council outcomes 2022 to 2027 health and wellbeing SLLC objectives 2022 to 2027 connected and engaged SLLC priorities equality and inclusion local partnerships organisational sustainability Hamilton – did you know? what’s coming up for Hamilton? 4
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Officers responded to members’ questions on various aspects of the report. The Committee decided: that the contents of the report and associated presentation be noted. [Reference: Minutes of the Executive Committee of 25 June 2025 (Paragraph 14)] 5 Participatory Budgeting – Education Resources A report dated 1 June 2026 by the Executive Director (Education Resources) was submitted on Participatory Budgeting (PB) in relation to Pupil Equity Funding (PEF). The process of PB in South Lanarkshire schools continued as core business following the same system and processes as in previous years. Schools within the Hamilton area had collectively allocated £262,299.80, approximately 8%, of their £3,665,162.00 PEF allocation for PB. Appendix 1 to the report outlined the percentage of PEF allocation that individual schools had allocated for PB and the outcome of their consultation with pupils, parents and staff. As an example of good practice, the PB work undertaken by St John Ogilvie High School, Hamilton was attached as Appendix 2 to the report. The case study illustrated the school’s PB journey for reducing the cost of the school day in 2025/2026 and the impact the project had on the life of the school. PB was now fully embedded into schools within South Lanarkshire through PEF, and schools would continue to allocate a minimum of 5% of the PEF to be subject to PB year on year. L Galloway, Teacher and Equity Lead, St John Ogilvie High School and L Horn, Lead Officer Curriculum and Quality Improvement Service, having spoken on key aspects of the report, responded to members’ questions and were congratulated on the positive report. The Committee decided: that the report be noted. [Reference: Minutes of 4 June 2025 (Paragraph 5)] Councillor Thomson left and re-joined the meeting during this item of business due to technical issues 6 Forward Programme for Future Meetings A report dated 4 June 2026 by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources) was submitted on the outline forward programme for the meetings of the Hamilton Area Committee to 24 February 2027. As part of future arrangements, members were invited to suggest topics for inclusion in the Committee’s forward programme. The Committee decided: that the outline forward programme for the meetings of the Hamilton Area Committee to 24 February 2027 be noted. [Reference: Minutes of 29 April 2026 (Paragraph 7)] 5
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7 Community Grant Applications A report dated 3 June 2026 by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources) was submitted on applications for community grant. The Committee decided: that community grants be awarded as follows:- (a) Applicant: 78th Lanarkshire (3rd Blantyre) Scout Group (HA/5/26) Purpose of Grant: Entrance fees Amount Awarded: £350 (b) Applicant: The Art Room, Burnbank, Hamilton (HA/8/26) Purpose of Grant: Outing and materials Amount Awarded: £350 (c) Applicant: Larkhall Burns Club (HA/7/26) Purpose of Grant: Outing Amount Awarded: £275 (d) Applicant: Earnock Residents’ Association, Hamilton (HA/10/26) Purpose of Grant: Administration and publicity costs Amount Awarded: £500 (e) Applicant: Hillhouse Parish Church Men’s Club, Hamilton (HA/11/26) Purpose of Grant: Outing and entrance fees Amount Awarded: £200 (f) Applicant: Hamilton and Blantyre Litter Pickers (HA/12/26) Purpose of Grant: Equipment and materials Amount Awarded: £1,000 (g) Applicant: South Lanarkshire Muslim Welfare Society, Hamilton (HA/13/26) Purpose of Grant: Outing and entrance fees Amount Awarded: £350 [Reference: Minutes of 29 April 2026 (Paragraph 6)] 8 Urgent Business There were no items of urgent business. 6
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Participatory Budgeting – Update for Area Committee Service Area Hamilton Area Committee Area Lead Officer Kenny Lean Stage 1 : Pre Consultation:- what are we asking the public for their view on (what service is it / description etc)? how much funding are we asking about? who are we asking, how are we doing this ? when are we doing this ? when will we report back ? Stage 2 : Post Consultation the outcome of the PB activity what happens next ? further reporting requirements (eg required Committee approval) At the Executive Committee on 21 November 2018 a series of amendments to the Renewable Energy Fund were approved. One of these was the introduction of a micro grant fund in 2019/2020 of up to £5,000 per annum available to Community Councils or equivalent approved community organisations to award and administer small grants of up to £500 locally. This was established for an initial 2-year period and at the Community and Enterprise Committee of 16 February 2021 it was agreed to continue the micro grants after 2020/2021. In 2025/2026 the following awards were made to Community Councils in Hamilton and reported to the Community and Enterprise Committee in June 2026 as part of the annual Renewable Energy Fund report In the year 2025/2026 a total of 6 Community Council were awarded grants to administer at a total value of £27,500 they are listed below. Community Council Award 2025/2026 4 7
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Blantyre £5,000.00 Bothwell £5,000.00 Earnock Residents Association £5,000.00 Hillhouse - Supporting Our Community £2,500.00 Larkhall £5,000.00 Uddingston £5,000.00 £27,500.00 The 2026/2027 awards to Community Councils are currently being processed and paid to each individual Community Council to administer as they submit the required evidence which includes, a list of grants made in 2025/2026, evidence through the bank account for spend in 2025/2026 and declaration of any conflicts of interests. At the start of August, 6 Community Councils had been awarded grants to administer totalling £29,900 they are listed below. Community Council Award 26/27 Blantyre £5,000.00 Bothwell £5,000.00 Earnock Residents Association £5,000.00 Hillhouse - Supporting Our Community £5,000.00 Larkhall £4,900.00 Uddingston £5,000.00 £29,900.00 8
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Report Agenda Item Report to: Hamilton Area Committee Date of Meeting: 23 September 2026 Report by: Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources) Subject: Forward Programme for Future Meetings 1. Purpose of Report 1.1. The purpose of the report is to:- [purpose] advise members of the forward programme for the meetings of the Hamilton Area Committee to 24 February 2027 invite members to suggest topics for inclusion in the Committee’s forward programme [1purpose] 2. Recommendation(s) 2.1. The Committee is asked to approve the following recommendation(s):- [recs] (1) that the report and the outline forward programme for the meetings of the Hamilton Area Committee to 24 February 2027, attached as an appendix to the report, be noted. [1recs] 3. Background 3.1. Following discussion with the Chairs of the 4 Area Committees, it was agreed that a list of items proposed for consideration at subsequent meetings be provided to afford an opportunity for members to inform future agendas. The outline forward programme for Hamilton Area Committee to 24 February 2027 is attached, for members’ information, as an appendix to the report. 4. Employee Implications 4.1. There are no employee implications. 5. Financial Implications 5.1. There are no financial implications. 6. Climate Change, Sustainability and Environmental Implications 6.1. There are no Climate Change, Sustainability or Environmental implications in terms of the information contained within this report. 7. Risk and Other Implications 7.1. There are no risk implications in terms of the information contained within this report. 5 9
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8. Integrated Impact Assessment and Consultation Requirements 8.1. The report does not introduce a new policy, function or strategy or recommend a change to an existing policy, function or strategy and, therefore, no impact assessment is required. 8.2. There was no requirement to undertake any consultation in terms of the information contained in this report. Jackie Taylor Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources) 1 September 2026 Link(s) to Council Values/Priorities/Outcomes Accountable, Effective, Efficient and Transparent Previous References None List of Background Papers None Contact for Further Information If you would like to inspect the background papers or want further information, please contact:- Laura Cunningham, Administration Officer Tel: 07385 370 044 E-mail: laura.cunningham2@southlanarkshire.gov.uk 10
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APPENDIX HAMILTON AREA COMMITTEE OUTLINE FORWARD PROGRAMME Meeting Date Item Responsibility 2 December 2026 Police Scotland Presentation Community Engagement Update Common Good Update Community Grants Police Scotland Chief’s Executive’s Service Finance and Corporate Resources Finance and Corporate Resources 24 February 2027 Housing and Technical Resources Participatory Budgeting Community Grants Housing and Technical Resources Finance and Corporate Resources Note:- Education Scotland Inspection Reports will come to Committee as and when they are available 11
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. Report Agenda Item Report to: Hamilton Area Committee Date of Meeting: 23 September 2026 Report by: Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources) Subject: Community Grant Applications 1. Purpose of Report 1.1. The purpose of the report is to:- [purpose] request approval for the allocation of 6 community groups in the Hamilton Area Committee area from the 2026/2027 community grant budget 2. Recommendation(s) 2.1. The Committee is asked to approve the following recommendation(s):- [recs] (1) that community grants be awarded as follows:- (a) Applicant: Pathfinder Guide Dog Programme, Hamilton (HA/15/26) Purpose of Grant: Equipment Identified Community Benefits: We will work to put people first and reduce inequality Estimated Cost: £1,000 Total Eligible Grant Applied for: £1,000 Recommendation: £1,000 Amount Awarded: To be determined by the Committee (b) Applicant: Strutherhill Lunch Club, Larkhall (HA/16/26) Purpose of Grant: Outing and entrance fees Identified Community Benefits: People live the healthiest lives possible Estimated Cost: £470 Total Eligible Grant Applied for: £350 Recommendation: £350 (full amount for outing and entrance fees) Amount Awarded: To be determined by the Committee (c) Applicant: Hamilton Quilting Group (HA/17/26) Purpose of Grant: Start-up costs – Materials, administration and publicity costs Identified Community Benefits: People live the healthiest lives possible Estimated Cost: £550 Total Eligible Grant Applied for: £550 Recommendation: £300 (start-up costs) Amount Awarded: To be determined by the Committee 6 13
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(d) Applicant: Hamilton Bowling Club (HA/19/26) Purpose of Grant: Outing Identified Community Benefits: People live the healthiest lives possible Estimated Cost: £350 Total Eligible Grant Applied for: £300 Recommendation: £300 (full amount for outing) Amount Awarded: To be determined by the Committee (e) Applicant: Uddingston Old Parish Church Monday Club (HA/21/26) Purpose of Grant: Outing and entrance fees Identified Community Benefits: People live the healthiest lives possible Estimated Cost: £580 Total Eligible Grant Applied for: £580 Recommendation: £350 (full amount for outing and entrance fees) Amount Awarded: To be determined by the Committee (f) Applicant: Hamilton Ramblers Club (HA/22/26) Purpose of Grant: Outing Identified Community Benefits: People live the healthiest lives possible Estimated Cost: £500 Total Eligible Grant Applied for: £500 Recommendation: £300 (full amount for outing) Amount Awarded: To be determined by the Committee 3. Background 3.1. The Council operates a community grants scheme to support local constituted community groups and voluntary organisations. All applications require to be supported by a constitution, audited accounts or annual income and expenditure accounts, a bank statement, and confirmation that the group/organisation will adhere to the conditions of the grant award. Applications are invited continually throughout the year. 3.2. The main aims of the community grants scheme are to:- fund activities and projects which bring community benefit involve people in the community by bringing them together to enjoy educational, recreational, leisure and other community activities or to improve the local environment 3.3. Support can be provided for a range of activities including administration and publicity costs, purchase of equipment and materials, annual outings and entrance fees, start-up costs and special events. 4. Employee Implications 4.1. None. 14
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5. Financial Implications 5.1. The current position of the community for the Hamilton Area Committee area in 2026/2027 is as follows: - Total allocation for Community Grants £25,750 Community grants previous allocated £5,065 Community grants allocated in this report £2,600 Remaining balance £18,085 6. Climate Change, Sustainability and Environmental Implications 6.1. There are no implications for climate change, sustainability, or the environment in terms of the information contained in this report. 7. Risk and Other Implications 7.1. The risk to the Council is that grant funding is not utilised for the purpose of which it was intended. This risk is mitigated by internal controls including audit procedures and conditions of grant agreement. 8. Integrated Impact Assessment and Consultation Requirements 8.1. This report does not introduce a new policy, function or strategy or recommend a change to an existing policy, function, or strategy and, therefore, no impact assessment is required. 8.2. All the necessary consultation with the community groups has taken place. Jackie Taylor Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources) 2 September 2026 Link(s) to Council Values/Priorities/Outcomes ♦ Accountable, effective, efficient, and transparent ♦ We will work towards a sustainable future in sustainable places ♦ Caring, connected, sustainable communities Previous References Hamilton Area Committee – 24 June 2026 List of Background Papers Individual application forms Contact for Further Information If you would like to inspect the background papers or want further information, please contact:- Geraldine Wilkinson, Clerical Assistant Ext: 4818 (Tel: 01698 454818) E-mail: geraldine.wilkinson@southlanarkshire.gov.uk 15
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