Population 305,410 (2004) Capital Hamilton Area 684 sq mi | ||
Colleges and Universities Destinations Hamilton, East Kilbride, Lanark, Larkhall, Blantyre Points of interest Chatelherault Country Park, Falls of Clyde, David Livingstone Centre, National Museum of Rural Life, Craignethan Castle | ||
South Lanarkshire (Scots: , Scottish Gaelic: ) is one of 32 unitary authorities of Scotland. It borders the south-east of the City of Glasgow and contains some of Glasgows suburbs. It also contains many towns and villages. It also shares borders with Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, North Lanarkshire, the Scottish Borders and West Lothian. It includes part of the historic county of Lanarkshire.
Contents
- Map of South Lanarkshire
- South Lanarkshire Council
- Council Headquarters
- Towns and villages
- Tertiary Education
- Places of interest
- References
Map of South Lanarkshire
South Lanarkshire Council
South Lanarkshire Council has its headquarters in Hamilton, has 16,000 employees, and a budget of almost £1bn. The council plan for 2007-2012 when the next council elections are due is Connect. The large and varied council area takes in rural and upland areas, market towns such as Lanark, Strathaven and Carluke, the urban burghs of Rutherglen, Cambuslang, and East Kilbride which was Scotlands first new town.
There are 20 council wards in South Lanarkshire, each represented on the council by 3 or 4 elected councillors using single transferable vote. South Lanarkshire operates a cabinet style system, with key decisions being taken by the Executive Committee, under the leadership of the Council Leader, and approved by the council, led by the provost.
South Lanarkshire shares borders with the unitary authorities of Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, City of Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, West Lothian and Scottish Borders.
The area was formed in 1996, from the areas of Clydesdale, Hamilton and East Kilbride districts, and some outer areas of Glasgow District (Rutherglen/Fernhill, Cambuslang/Halfway and part of Kings Park/Toryglen).
Since the 2012 local government election, a by-election was held for Rutherglen South (Ward 11) on Thursday 14 February 2013 and for Hamilton South (Ward 19) on Thursday 24 October 2013. The current political composition is 2 Independents, 3 Conservative, 35 Labour, 1 Liberal Democrat and 26 SNP. The Council is currently ruled by a Labour Group majority administration.
Council Headquarters
The Council Headquarters building, on Almada Street, Hamilton, was built as the Lanark County Buildings in 1963, and designed by Lanark council architect D G Bannerman. The 16 storey, 165 foot tower is the largest in Hamilton, and is a highly visible landmark across this part of the Clyde Valley. The modernist design was influenced by the United Nations building in New York. Glass curtain walls cover the north and south facades, with the narrow east and west sides being blank white walls. At the front of the building is the circular council chamber, and a plaza with water features. It is known by locals as the "County Buildings".