lesmahagow socio-economic baseline review

Report for South Lanarkshire Council March 2012

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Lesmahagow Village Centre: Socio-Economic Baseline and Health Check Review

http://www.ekos-consultants.co.uk/

Direct enquiries regarding this report should be submitted to:

Mhairi Donaghy, Associate Director, EKOS

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 0141 353 8309

Sarah Turnbull, Consultant, EKOS

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 0141 353 8318

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Contents

1. Economic Baseline 1

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Demographics 1

1.3 Labour Market 3

1.4 Unemployment Rate 6

1.5 Secondary Education Attainment 8

1.6 Summary of Socio-Economic Conditions 9

2. Village Health Check 11

2.1 Introduction 11

2.2 Business Base 11

2.3 Access to Services 13

2.4 Crime 14

2.5 Health Check Overview 15

Baseline Review of Lesmahagow Village Centre: South Lanarkshire Council

1

1. Economic Baseline

1.1 Introduction

This report examines the trends and performance of Lesmahagow and surrounding

area (defined below) in comparison to the local authority area (South Lanarkshire),

and national level (Scotland). The review covers the socio-economic conditions and

highlights any constraints Lesmahagow may face.

This review presents an update to socio-economic baseline prepared by EKOS for

Lesmahagow in 2005. It should be noted, however, that since 2005 a number of

data sources have been amended/discontinued/replaced1, and we are therefore

unable to present a direct comparison. This report focuses on the period from 2008

onward.

It is also important to highlight that the definition of Lesmahagow varies for different

data sources; we have chosen to use the Census Area Statistics (CAS) Ward2, as

outlined below.

Reference is made in this report to the previous Baseline Review of Lesmahagow

Village Centre, completed in 2005, providing direct comparison as appropriate.

1.2 Demographics

The section focuses on the demographics of Lesmahagow, Figure 1.1 over, outlines

the CAS Ward area encompassing Lesmahagow and surrounding areas (Auldtoun-

West Toun, Birkwood-Dalquandy, Coalburn, Douglas Central, Douglas North,

Turfholm )

1 The Annual Business Inquiry (ABI) data source was discontinued in 2008 (pre recession) and was supplemented

by the Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES) from 2008 2 “Wards are the key building block of UK administrative geography, being the spatial units used to elect local government councillors. Census Area Statistics (CAS) wards are those originally used for 2001 Census outputs and

now used with other data such as claimant count statistics. Their definition differs according to country” – NOMIS


2

Figure 1.1: Map of Lesmahagow, CAS Ward

Source: NOMIS

The most recent population data is available for 20093 from the local authority and

identifies Lesmahagow and surrounding area as having a population of 8,224,

representing 2.6% of South Lanarkshire‟s total population.

The working age population of Lesmahagow accounts for 61.8% of the total

population; this is lower than the South Lanarkshire average level of 65.1%.

Conversely the retirement age population is marginally greater in Lesmahagow than

local authority level, with one in five residents aged 65 or over, detailed over in Table

1.1.

3 South Lanarkshire Council Neighbourhood Information Profiles and Tracking Univariate Change (SLC Nip & Tuc). It should be highlighted the data source is no longer available online as South Lanarkshire has developed a new

website: http://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/improve/info/25/area_profiles

http://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/improve/info/25/area_profiles


3

Table 1.1: Population Age Structure, 2009

Lesmahagow South Lanarkshire

No. % No. %

0-14 1,474 17.9 56,593 18.1

15-24 939 11.4 34,859 11.2

25-64 4,146 50.4 168,203 53.9

65-74 781 9.5 28,574 9.2

75 + 884 10.7 23,651 7.6

Total Population 8,224 100 311,880 100.0

Total Working Age Population 5,085 61.8 203,062 65.1

Source: SLC Nip & Tuc/General Register of Scotland (GROS)

The percentage of people of retirement age in Lesmahagow has increased from

15% in 20014to 21% in 2009; this data coincides with the aging population of

Scotland. This is a positive increase for Lesmahagow businesses as this age group

are present in the village during business hours.

1.3 Labour Market

The following section focuses on work based employment levels and trends over the

period of two years, 2008 to 2010 using the most up to date BRES data. As outlined

at the start of this report a direct comparison cannot be made with data pre 2008 due

to changes in official data sources.

Table 1.2 illustrates the employment base within Lesmahagow, and presents

comparison against local and national levels.

Table 1.2: Workplace Based Employment Change, 2008-2010

Lesmahagow South Lanarkshire Scotland

2010 % Change from 2008



Full Time Workers 883 34.2% 71,928 -16.4% 1,555,667 -6.7%

Part Time Workers 366 1.1% 37,961 -1.9% 755,398 -5.0%

Total 1,249 22% 109,889 -11.9% 2,311,065 -6.2%

Source: BRES

The employment base within Lesmahagow has experienced a 22% (229) increase

over the period of two years; this is in contrast to the 12% and 6% decrease

experienced by South Lanarkshire and Scotland (respectively).

4 Baseline Review of Lesmahagow Village Centre (2005)


4

The data shows that Lesmahagow has a higher proportion of full-time employment

(71%) than either the South Lanarkshire or Scottish averages (65% and 67%

respectively). Of particular interest, the number of people employed on a full time

basis has increase by over one third in Lesmahagow (225).

Table 1.3 provides a more detailed examination of workplace based employment by

industry.

Table 1.3: Workplace Based Employment by Industry 2008-2010


2008 2010 %

Change 2008 2010

% Change

2008 2010 %

Change

Agriculture, forestry and fishing

* * 100 234 99 -57.7 36,320 36,933 1.7

Water and energy 18 193 972 2,622 5,332 103.4 58,207 64,225 10.3

Manufacturing 78 73 -6.4 16,081 11,520 -28.4 201,112 172,656 -14.1

Construction 144 142 -1.4 12,634 7,795 -38.3 154,849 121,438 -21.6

Distribution, hotels and restaurants

272 203 -25.4 27,715 25,478 -8.1 545,205 513,091 -5.9

Transport and Communications

99 109 10.1 7,879 6,138 -22.1 161,655 154,236 -4.6

Banking, finance and insurance, etc

183 127 -30.6 19,935 18,142 -9.0 452,444 416,736 -7.9

Public administration, education and health

164 348 112.2 31,642 31,287 -1.1 739,146 730,394 -1.2

Other 61 51 -16.4 6,040 4,097 -32.2 113,877 101,355 -11.0

Total 1021 1250 22.4 124,782 109,888 -11.9 2,462,815 2,311,064 -6.2

Source: BRES, * number cannot be disclosed for confidentiality reasons as it is less than 5

The primary employment sector for the village centre is “distribution, hotels and

restaurant” which incorporates retail. In 2008 this was a larger sector in

Lesmahagow accounting for over one quarter of all jobs, but from 2008-2010

declined by 25% (69 jobs) falling into second place accounting for 16% of all jobs.

Other key changes include:

972% increase in those employed within the water and energy sector; this is

substantially greater than increases within South Lanarkshire (103.4%) and

Scotland (10.3%) but represents a low absolute uplift in numbers from a

small base;

112% increase in employment within the public administration, education

and health sector (164 to 348); and


5

31% decrease within the banking, finance and insurance sector; the local

and national levels also experienced a decline in employment levels (9%

and 7.9% respectively).

Figure 1.2 presents a comparison across the three geographies of the workplace

based employment in 2010, and shows the relative importance of key industry

sectors.

Figure 1.2: 2010 Workplace Based Employment

Source: BRES

Lesmahagow has relative strengths in the following sectors: Water & Energy,

Construction, and Transport & Communications; but is under-represented in:

Manufacturing/Distribution, Hotels & Restaurants (encompassing retail)/ and

Banking, Finance & Insurance.

Economic activity identifies the number of people who are in work, or are actively

seeking work. Table 1.4 illustrates the activity level within South Lanarkshire and

Scotland; information is unavailable for Lesmahagow.

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%



6

Table 1.4: Economic Activity Levels (2010)

South Lanarkshire Scotland

Working age population 203,100 3,398,200

Economically active 155,500 2,617,000

% of working population 77% 77%

Source: Annual Population Survey/Labour Force Survey

The data shows that at the South Lanarkshire level just over three quarters of the

working age population are economically active. If we assume that Lesmahagow

conforms to this pattern, analysis of the village‟s working age population would give

an economically active population of around 4,000 people.

The level of gross weekly earnings for those employed within South Lanarkshire has

risen by 3.5% over the period of two years (2008-2010)5, making average earning in

line with the national average of £462 per week.

1.4 Unemployment Rate

The following section highlights residence based unemployment levels6 and trends

by analysis of the claimant count7 data over the period of 2006 to 2011. Table 1.5

presents the unemployment level and rate for Lesmahagow, South Lanarkshire and

Scotland.

Table 1.5: Unemployment Level and Rate (Claimant Count)

2006 2011 Absolute Change % Change

Unemployment Rate

Lesmahagow 72 153 81 113% 5.2%

South Lanarkshire 4,456 8,976 4,520 101% 4.4%

Scotland 82,816 139,134 56,318 68% 4.1%

Source: Claimant Count

The total number of people claiming benefits has increased significantly across all

three geographies, with an increase of 81 claimants in Lesmahagow in the five year

period. Analysis of this data shows that the greatest change is a significant uplift in

5 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2008-2010

6 Unemployment (or joblessness), as defined by the International Labour Organization, occurs when people are without jobs and they have

actively sought work within the past four weeks. The unemployment rate is a measure of the prevalence of unemployment and it is calculated

as a percentage by dividing the number of unemployed individuals by all individuals currently in the labour force; Wikipedia.

7 The claimant count measures the number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) unemployment benefit


7

female claimants (from 10 to 50). The unemployment rate within Lesmahagow is

higher than the local authority and national levels.

Table 1.6 presents claimants data based upon age, from 2006 to 2011.

Table 1.6: Claimant Count Age Structure 2006 – 2011


2011 Total

Absolute Change

% Change

2011 Total

Absolute Change

% Change

2011 Total

Absolute Change

% Change

Youth (16-24) 40 10 33 2,830 1390 96.5 40,960 15,985 64

Other ( 25 +) 105 65 186 8,275 5260 174.5 97,800 40,350 70.2

Total 145 75 115 11,105 6650 149.3 138,760 56,335 68.3


Data is rounded to the nearest five when extracted from NOMIS

Key changes in Lesmahagow‟s unemployment claimant count:

115% increase in the total number of claimants from 2006 to 2011;

the number of female claimants from 2006 to 2011 increase by 40; and

the number of youth claimants increased by one third from 2006 to 2011,

however, the percentage change is lower than the local authority and

national increases (96% and 64% respectively).

Table 1.7 details „long term‟ claimants made between 2004 and 2010 extracted from

the Claimant Count data. Long term is defined as a claim lasting for a period of one

year or more.

Overall the number of long term claimants has increased across all three areas with

just under one in five of Lesmahagow‟s claimants being defined as long term, this is

marginally higher than the national (15%) and local areas (12%).

Table 1.7: Long-term Claimants: 2004-2010

Number Absolute Change % Point Change

Lesmahagow 25 15 0.5

South Lanarkshire 1,430 855 0.4

Scotland 20,415 7,455 0.2



8

1.5 Secondary Education Attainment

This section analyses the educational attainment of secondary school pupils

attending Lesmahagow high school and compares the village averages to those

within South Lanarkshire and Scotland.

In the academic year of 2008/2009, 107 fourth year pupils attended Lesmahagow

High School, Figure 1.3, below, details the exam results of these students

throughout their 4th, 5

th and 6

th year of study gaining 5 or more credit (4

th year) and

higher (5th and 6

th year) results, in comparison to the local and national averages.

Figure 1.3: Exam Results

Source: Scottish Schools Online

Lesmahagow high school‟s performance is typical for 4th year SQA credit level

examination results at the South Lanarkshire and Scotland levels, but examination

results for both 5th and 6

th years are substantially below local and national levels.

Figure 1.4 illustrates leavers‟ destination of school pupils for 2010/2011 across

Lesmahagow, South Lanarkshire and Scotland.

32%34% 35%

6%

11% 12%

17%

23% 23%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

Lesmahagow High School

South Lanarkshire Scotland

4th Year

5th Year

6th Year


9

Figure 1.4: Leavers Destination

Lesmahagow=108, South Lanarkshire=3,559, Scotland=54,073

Source: Scottish Schools Online

Around two thirds of school leavers at the South Lanarkshire and Scottish levels go

on to higher and further education (61% and 63% respectively), compared with just

over half of pupils from Lesmahagow (51%).

In comparison a higher proportion of school leavers in Lesmahagow chose to go

straight into employment (24%), 5% points higher than the comparable levels in

South Lanarkshire (19%) and 4% higher than the national level (20%).

It must also be highlighted that just under one fifth of Lesmahagow School leavers

are reported to be unemployed and in search of employment (17%). This is higher

than South Lanarkshire and Scottish levels (11% and 10% respectively).

1.6 Summary of Socio-Economic Conditions

Current socio-economic conditions within the village of Lesmahagow are

summarised as follows:

the population of Lesmahagow has risen by 1.7% in recent years to 8,224

with the working age population accounting for 62% of residents;

29%37% 36%

22%

24% 27%7%

7% 6%24%

19% 20%

17% 11% 10%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Lesmahagow High School

South Lanarkshire

Scotland

Unemployed, not seeking employment

Unemployed, seeking employment

Employment

Training

Further education

Higher education


10

from 2008-2010 the total workplace based employment has increased by

229 (22%) with the majority of the increase being full time workers (225);

key sectoral employment based changes have occurred between 2008-

2010, most noticeably an absolute change in the water & energy sector from

18 to 193 employees and public, administration and health, 164 to 348

employees;

the number of people classed as unemployed between 2006 and 2010

increase by around115%, with around three in ten claimants being made by

a young person e.g. 16-24 years old;

just under 20% of people claiming benefits have been doing so for 12

months or more;

fifth and sixth year exam results fall below local and national levels; and

a higher proportion of high school leavers go straight into employment rather

than further/higher education than local and national averages.


11

2. Village Health Check

2.1 Introduction

This chapter focuses on the economic factors relevant to the strength and

maintenance of Lesmahagow village centre and includes an analysis of the business

base, services available and crime levels.

2.2 Business Base

The most up to date ABI data is 2008, as the method for analysing businesses

changed to BRES. Table 2.1 details the business base from 2007-2008, it should

be noted that the most up-to-date data is now four year out of date.

Table 2.1: Business Base, 2003- 2008


2008 Absolute Change

% Change 2008

Absolute Change

% Change 2008

Absolute Change

% Change

1-10 155 -46 -23 7705 913 13.4 147786 15093 11.4

11-49 22 -13 -37 1311 21 1.6 26094 -910 -3.4

50-199 * -10 -91 316 24 8.2 6143 89 1.5

200 or

more 0 0 0 74 17 29.8 1447 111 8.3

Total 178 -69 -28 9406 975 11.6 181470 14383 8.6

* less than 5, for confidentiality reasons the number cannot be disclosed

Source: ABI

Over all there has been a decrease in the number of businesses based in

Lesmahagow, reducing by around 70 businesses. Of particular note, the local and

national business base both increased over the period of 2003-2008.

Just fewer than 90% of businesses located in Lesmahagow employ between one

and ten people. It is important to note the number of businesses employing 11-49

employees has decreased by a total 13 businesses.

There are no businesses operating within the village employing 200 or more

members of staff.


12

Table 2.2 examines, in greater depth, the change in business base by industry

sectors from 2003-20088. Lesmahagow‟s business based is spread across a

number of sectors including:

21% within distribution, hotel and restaurants;

21% within construction; and

18% within banking, finance and insurance.

Lesmahagow has experienced a decline in its business base across six sectors

between 2003 and 2008, with only minimal uplift in the other two sectors. At the

South Lanarkshire level, the business base has declined across five sectors, with

some major growth reported in other industry sectors.

The greatest absolute change within Lesmahagow has been a decline of 37

businesses within the distribution, hotel and restaurant sector, which includes retail.

There are no restaurants within the village.

Table 2.2: Business Base by Sector 2003-2008

Lesmahagow South Lanarkshire

2003 2008 Absolute Change

% Change 2003 2008

Absolute Change

% Change

Agriculture, forestry & fishing * * -3 -75 54 61 7 13

Mining, quarrying & utilities 7 * * -71 36 92 56 156

Manufacturing 15 16 1 7 634 616 -18 -3

Construction 33 37 4 12 805 1,195 390 48

Distribution, hotels &restaurants 75 38 -37 -49 2,913 297 -2,616 -90

Transport & communications 27 26 -1 -4 467 403 -64 -14

Banking, finance & insurance etc 40 33 -7 -18 1,927 185 -1,742 -90

Public administration, education, health & other 46 25 -21 -46 1,595 299 -1,296 -81

Total 247 178 -69 -28 8,431 9,406 975 12

* less than 5, for confidentiality reasons the number cannot be disclosed

Source: ABI Workplace Analysis

8 2008 is the most current data regarding business base, it must be noted that the data is 4 years out of date


13

2.3 Access to Services

As expected within a more rural locations, Lesmahagow is positioned within the

bottom third of the access domain for access to services, scoring around 2,200 out

of a possible 6,000 (the closer to 6000 the better access there is)9. Lesmahagow is,

however, a self contained village with many services and good road infrastructure,

linking it to the M74 with access north and south to major centres.

Residents in Lesmahagow have access to:

retail services:

o convenience stores

o Post Office

o chemist

o petrol station

o supermarket;

public services:

o police station

o library

o SLC Resource Centre;

education services:

o nursery

o primary school

o secondary school;

health services:

o GP

o dentist

o Co-op Funeral Care; and

9 SIMD


14

financial services:

o building Society/bank

o cash point.

All of these services are within a short commute; drive time in general takes five

minutes or less and access via public transport takes around 15 minutes.

The Lesmahagow Comparator Centre report analyses in greater depth how

Lesmahagow compares to eight villages/towns in the local area.

2.4 Crime

This section analyses the number of crimes committed between 2009 and 2010

using data provided by South Lanarkshire Council Nip & Tuc10

. Table 2.3 details six

categories used to best describe crime, and detail incidents that have taken place in

Lesmahagow and at the rate per 1,000, allowing for a direct comparison between

Lesmahagow and South Lanarkshire. The term “crime” denotes the most serious of

criminal acts, with the less serious acts termed “offense”.

Table 2.3 Level of Crime: 2009-2010

Number

% of all crimes & offences

Rate per

1000 pop

SLC Rate per

1000 pop

Crimes of Violence 13 1.5% 2 3

House Breaking 24 2.7% 3 4

Health & Well Being linked crimes & offences 71 8.% 9 12

Vehicle Crime 31 3.5% 4 5

Motoring Offences 243 27.4% 30 29

Anti-Social Behaviour crimes & offences 574 64.7% 70 80

All Crimes and Offences 887 100% 108 121

SLC Nip & Tuc

Overall Lesmahagow has a lower level of crimes and offences in comparison to

South Lanarkshire across all indicators with the exception of motoring offences.

Around two thirds of all crimes reported between 2009 and 2010 were anti social

behaviour crimes and offences (574); this is similar to crime reported in South

Lanarkshire.

10 Note: Due to crimes/offences appearing in more than one category columns may not sum to total


15

2.5 Health Check Overview

In summary the health check has defined:

business base changes have resulted in a loss of nearly 70 business in

Lesmahagow;

the highest concentration of businesses is within the distribution, hotels and

restaurants sector (encompassing retail) followed closely by construction, it

should be noted that since 2008 the only restaurant in the village has closed;

residents of Lesmahagow have favourable access to a range of public,

financial, retail, education services all within a five minute drive or fifteen

minute commute via public transport; and

the number of crimes, at a rate per 1,000 population, are generally in line

with the local authority average with antisocial behaviour accounting for two

thirds of all offences.

lesmahagow socio-economic baseline review

Documents

demographics of lesmahagow

definition of lesmahagow

map of lesmahagow

performance of lesmahagow

constraints lesmahagow

socioeconomic baseline

south lanarkshire council

cas ward area