Scotland's leading anti-sectarian charity has called for parade organisers to sign up to a declaration stating they will neither allow nor ignore anything that could "incite or inspire religious and cultural hatred".

In its submissions to shape Glasgow's new policy on marches, Nil By Mouth said failure to sign and agree to the declaration should result in action such as future bans on the offending group. It said this should include bands "not officially attached to the organiser".

The charity has also called for communities where parades are held to be given a say in the decision-making process. It said councils should recognise that not every event organisers deem worthy of parade should be considered so by authorities, and that groups actively seek out anniversary dates to hold events.

It says parades are not a Glasgow-only issue and it has urged the Scottish Government to talk with local authorities across Scotland on this and other issues relating to parades and public gatherings.

According to Nil By Mouth, the number of processions currently being held is disproportionate to the level of membership and support "the march organisers could ever realistically lay claim to".

The charity adds that while there is a long and democratic tradition of parading and demonstrating in Scotland, concerns remain about marches and parades of a religious and cultural nature, while "the sheer volume of such parades in Glasgow places unique pressures on community cohesion, policing budgets and the local economy".

The group is the latest to contribute to Glasgow City Council's consultation on a further overhaul of its policy on processions, with bodies ranging from shopping centres and bus companies to the Scottish Government, Orange Order and Gay Pride asked to contribute.

New analysis of parade figures revealed the number fell from 497 in 2009/2010 to 362 in 2011/2012, a decline of 27%, which consultation documents put down to dialogue between council officers, the police and the main procession organisers.

In addition to reducing the overall number of parades, the council is seeking legislation that would curtail the number of parades through the city centre and rule out George Square as an assembly and dispersal point.

It wants more "static" protests, high-risk processions confined to parks and is seeking to recover costs for traffic management, clearing up and toilet provision.

Trade unions have already voiced their unhappiness at the plan and are preparing for a battle to preserve "the historical role of George Square as a centre of protest".

Last night, Nil By Mouth campaign director Dave Scott said: "We fully accept the right to march but many of the groups involved must realise that the number of parades they currently hold is disproportionate to the level of support they have in wider society.

"We have suggested a range of practical measures including licensing of march stewards and asking organisers and performers to sign a public order declaration aimed at ensuring that effective checks and balances are in place."

Mr Scott added: "We are also calling for wider engagement with host communities, particularly in terms of organisers meeting with them at the earliest possible opportunity in the application process. Communities must feel involved in this process."

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said the consultation had now closed, with a report going to the new public petitions and general purposes committee next month.

No-one from the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland was available for comment.