A MOVE to hand more power to schools at the expense of councils is the latest in a string of reforms which undermine local democracy, a key official has warned.

Stephen McCabe, the new education spokesman for council umbrella body Cosla, said the Scottish Government “does not believe” in local democracy.

Writing in The Herald the Labour politician has also called for councillors of all parties to join forces to fight the controversial proposals.

The call comes after John Swinney, the Education Secretary, announced plans to give more power over decisions to headteachers.

In addition, the Scottish Government has brought forward proposals to introduce new regional bodies which will take over the responsibility for supporting improvement from councils.

However, whereas local government is run by democratically elected councillors, the new regions will be led by appointed directors who will report to the chief inspector of schools rather than council education committees.

Mr McCabe, writing in a personal capacity, said: “Mr Swinney clearly sees councils as part of the problem, while I see councils as a key part of the solution.

“His governance reforms... are designed to side-line councils while I believe councils and democratically elected councillors should be at the heart of driving improvements in attainment.

“Stung by criticism from opposition politicians the government needs someone to blame. Step forward Scotland’s battered and bruised councils.

“This further attack on the role of councils should not surprise anyone - we have a Scottish Government that does not believe in local government or local democracy.”

Mr McCabe said the government had already been responsible for the centralisation of fire and police services, the imposition of health and social care partnerships, the council tax freeze and “savage” cuts to council funding.

He added: “Under the government’s plans councillors will lose our legal responsibility for attainment and improvement to newly-created quangos led by regional directors.

“We will have to provide our own improvement support staff to these quangos to deliver services under the control of the regional director without any guarantee we will actually receive as good a service as we currently provide ourselves.

“I would appeal to all councillors to recognise the far reaching consequences of Mr Swinney’s reforms and the impact they will have on our role in education. It is not too late for us to exert influence on our parties at Holyrood to secure significant changes. Now is the time to stand up to be counted.”

The Scottish Government said councils would still play an important role in the running of schools.

A spokesman said: “We will not shy away from taking the tough decisions to make sure our education system is truly world-class, closes the poverty-related attainment gap and raises the bar for all children and young people.

“Under our reforms decisions that shape the education of young people will be made in classrooms, schools and establishments, by people working with those young people, their parents and communities.

“Crucially, under these plans, councils will retain important democratic accountability for the leadership of our schools, and will continue to support teachers to deliver excellent learning and teaching.”