A THINK tank has urged the parties to back a radical shake-up of local government.

In its own election manifesto, published today, Reform Scotland says council tax and business rates should be fully devolved to local authorities.

It also calls for a series of pilot schemes devolving health to council control and says local authorities should have a bigger input into policing in their area.

READ MORE: Local government reform needs to be addressed

However, independent the think tank - seen as on the centre-right - said schools, currently run by councils, should have "great autonomy".

The plans are among 16 policy ideas it challenges the parties to back, many linked to local government.

Assessing the party manifestos, it praises the Greens, Liberal Democrats and Conservatives for opposing the loss of powers enjoyed by councils under the SNP.

However, it welcomes Nicola Sturgeon's proposals to give headteachers more autonomy.

It says councils should take over the functions of some quangos and have a seat on police oversight body, the Scottish Police Authority.

Among it's other proposals, the think tank called for air passenger duty, the tax on flights, to be scrapped, a policy backed by the SNP.

The Nationalists plan to halve the duty before abolishing it "when conditions allow".

It also says the Scottish government policy of maintaining police officer numbers at 17,234 should be scrapped, a move already indicated by Ms Sturgeon.

Reform Scotland research director Alison Payne said: "It is clear from the party manifestos that local government reform will be a key issue for the next parliament.

"The Greens, Lib Dems and Conservatives are all critical of powers being taken away from local government - a stance we would agree with - though it is disappointing how few specific proposals there are to reverse this situation.

"The SNP talk about examining how greater powers can be passed down with regards to schools and health boards, and this too has to be welcomed."

The think tank also said the next Scottish government should set up a new department to take responsibility for tax and welfare powers coming to Holyrood.

MSPs will take responsibility for income tax rates and bands, as well as some benefits, from April 2017 but the issue of a dedicated department - floated previously by the think tank - has not been addressed by the parties, Ms Payne said.

Calling for a "fresh approach," she added: "An issue not touched on by any of the parties is our view that there should be one government department responsible for both the new tax and welfare powers due to be devolved.

"This may at first seem like a small administrative point, but it is about looking to create a better, more coherent and transparent system and not simply replicating what happens at Westminster."

Both the SNP and Labour had pledged to set up a new social security agency to take charge of devolved benefits.