LOCAL government needs to reform itself radically or face extinction, a leading Glasgow-based academic has warned.
One way to renew local democracy could be the creation of directly elected council heads or provosts according to Professor Gerry Stoker of Strathclyde University.
Professor Stoker is also calling for a system of proportional representation to be used for local elections.
He will tell Cosla's annual conference tomorrow at Coylumbridge, near Aviemore, that he is aware there is reluctance to consider such radical measures but he believes the current system is unsustainable.
Professor Stoker backs the idea of a formal separation of councillors into a political executive and a wider assembly. The full-time executive, headed by a directly elected provost, could be responsible for proposing policy measures and budget items.
Representatives in the assembly, who could work on a part-time basis, would approve major policy and budget matters, scrutinise the work of the executive and raises constituency issues.
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