Scotland's local government body COSLA has published a white paper setting out a plan to embed the right to local self-government at the heart of Scottish public life.
The paper calls for a rebalanced relationship between national and local government, with councils granted greater flexibility, autonomy and resources to respond to local needs.
It argues that national ambitions can only be fully achieved when public bodies are empowered to work in ways that reflect the distinct priorities of communities across Scotland.
The launch follows the passage of the European Charter of Local Self-Government Bill, which COSLA describes as a pivotal moment to move beyond principle and into practice.
COSLA Vice President Councillor Steven Heddle called on all parties and the next Scottish Government to work with local government in genuine partnership, with shared commitment to strengthening Scottish democracy from the ground up.
