Think tank urges new relationship between central and local government in Scotland

A complete overhaul of local governance in Scotland via primary legislation is needed to address the erosion of local democracy by successive governments, an independent, non-party think tank has said.

In “Blueprint for Local Power”, Reform Scotland called for a new constitutional relationship between local and central government, based on three principles:

1. Local authorities will be responsible for all areas not specifically reserved to Holyrood – the same principle which governs the relationship between Westminster and Holyrood
2. Tasks should be carried out at the lowest level practical – the principle of subsidiarity, which would “replace uniformity and drive forward on-the-ground innovation”
3. Local authorities would provide clear and transparent information on their activities to ensure proper local accountability.

Reform Scotland also called for councils to be given the responsibilities of quangos wherever possible, and to have complete control over the type and level of taxes levied on local residents.

The think tank’s director, Geoff Mawdsley, said: “Successive governments at Holyrood and Westminster have paid lip service to the importance of local government, while centralising its power and reducing its autonomy and accountability.

“If there is any point in having a level of local government, and if we want it to mean anything, then we have to allow it to exercise power and with it take responsibility. That is why we are proposing legislation to cement local authorities’ place in the spectrum of governance in Scotland.

“If a task can more effectively be carried out at a local level, it should be devolved to local government instead of sitting at Holyrood.”

Mawdsley added: “Critically, local authorities should be raising more of what they spend. At present, they raise only £1.40 of every £10 they spend. Council tax and business rates should be devolved to local authorities, and thereafter they should be able to introduce new taxes, or scrap existing ones, to fit their local circumstances.

“Local democracy is at a crossroads – it is time for politicians to follow decades of words with some action.”