Council leaders in seven Scottish cities have urged the UK and Scottish Governments to grant them new economic powers to "compete with other cities close to home and globally".

Leaders in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness, Perth and Stirling have called on both governments to create a new working relationship which will allow the cities to reach their full economic potential.

A four-point plan has now been published which would see local authorities secure historic new powers on tax, spending and the development of large infrastructure projects.

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The 'Empowering City Government' also suggests plans to work closer together with national infrastructure bodies, like Scottish Water and Zero Waste Scotland.

Edinburgh City Council Leader Andrew Burns said: "Scotland's seven cities are committed to driving forward economic growth, so we can continue to promote ourselves on the international stage as attractive, modern places to invest and do carry out business with. The important research we have commissioned suggests that a new partnership is required if we are to reach our economic potential and meet the significant challenges that lie ahead.

"Fundamental to this new approach are a number of shared objectives which include improving connectivity and infrastructure, setting a diverse tax system across Scotland, improving our communities and a radical change to economic development. We firmly believe that by embracing these key changes we can ensure Scotland can compete economically with other cities close to home and globally."

The group is now calling for a meeting with both the Scottish and UK Governments to discuss their proposals.

(LM)