Labour retained their position as the largest party on the council but were no longer in overall control after the introduction of proportional voting saw them lose 22 seats. The Scottish National Party (SNP) recorded their best result in a South Lanarkshire election as they gained 17 seats to remain the second-largest party. The Conservatives also made gains to hold eight seats. The number of independent candidates elected with remained at three and the number of Liberal Democrats remained at two.
Note: Votes are the sum of first preference votes across all council wards. The net gain/loss and percentage changes relate to the result of the previous Scottish local elections on 1 May 2003. This is because STV has an element of proportionality which is not present unless multiple seats are being elected. This may differ from other published sources showing gain/loss relative to seats held at the dissolution of Scotland's councils. This was the first election to use the STV electoral system so only net gains/losses are shown.[2][3]
Labour's Alan Scott won a by-election in East Kilbride West on 28 October 2010 to fill the vacancy which arose with the election of Michael McCann as an MP.
East Kilbride West by-election (28 October 2010) - 1 seat
The SNP's John Menzies won a by-election in Hamilton West and Earnock on 8 December 2011 to fill the vacancy which arose with the death of Independent Tommy Gilligan on 22 October 2011.
East Kilbride West by-election (22 October 2011) - 1 seat
^Returning councillor for Carluke/Whitehill single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Forth single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Law/Carluke single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Clyde Valley single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Lanark North single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Lanark South single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Duneaton/Carmichael single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Carstairs/Carnwath single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Douglas single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Lesmahagow single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Blackwood single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Avondale North single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Greenhills single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Whitehills single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Heatheryknowe single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Headhouse single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Blacklaw single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for East Mains single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Maxwellton single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Hairmyres/Crosshouse single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Mossneuk/Kittoch single-member ward.
^East Kilbride West councillor Michael McCann was elected as MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow in May 2010 and he subsequently resigned his council seat. A by-election, held on 28 October 2010, was won by Labour's Alan Scott.
^Returning councillor for Westwoodhill single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Burgh single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Fernhill single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Bankhead single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Rutherglen West single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Cathkin/Springhall single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Eastfield single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Kirkhill/Whitlawburn single-member ward.
^Cambuslang East councillor John Higgins died on 29 December 2007. A by-election, held on 6 March 2008, was won by Labour's Richard Tullett.
^Returning councillor for Cairns single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for High Blantyre single-member ward.
^Blantyre councillor Bert Thomson subsequently joined the SNP and ceased to be an independent.
^On 1 February 2010, Blantyre councillor John McNamee resigned from the SNP and joined Labour.
^Returning councillor for Coatshill/Low Blantyre single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Blantyre West single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Bothwell South single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Whitehill single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Uddingston single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Hamilton Centre/Ferniegair single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Wellhall/Earnock single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Hillhouse single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Earnock single-member ward.
^Hamilton West and Earnock councillor Tommy Gilligan dies on 22 October 2011. A by-election, held on 8 December 2011, was won by the SNP's John Menzies.
^Returning councillor for Low Waters single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Silvertonhill single-member ward.
^Returning councillor for Larkhall South single-member ward.
