A SMALL business lobby group has called on councils across Scotland to consider their role driving economic growth.

Launching its local government manifesto, ahead of Scotland's council elections on May 3, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said action from local authorities could hold the "key" to local recovery.

The manifesto, Taking centre stage: the role of local government in Scotland's economic recovery, says that while councils cannot transform their local economies single-handedly, they should "redouble efforts" to support growth and jobs.

Andy Willox OBE, the FSB's Scottish policy convener, said: "The recovery is everyone's business. We must see all parts of all of our councils consider their role driving growth.

"Every department should be signed up to that goal, thinking about how their behaviour is impacting on local businesses and how they could improve.

"Local government is going to face some tough times over the next few years. But things will only get worse if we don't get local economies moving again."

Murdo Fraser, Scottish Conservative MSP and convener of the Scottish Parliament's Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, said: "We would always encourage local authorities to help business in their area grow in any way they can.

"Economic regeneration at a local level is the responsibility of councils, who even with their existing powers can do much to support small business."